Shame-Free Wellness: Breaking Hustle Culture and Reclaiming Self-Worth with Dr. Portia Preston

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August 17, 2025 • 17 mins

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, Dr. Portia Preston—TEDx speaker, public health leader, and author of Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go—shares a blueprint for shame-free wellness. Drawing from her work at the CDC, Deloitte, and her lived experience navigating burnout, ADHD, and depression, Dr. Preston unpacks how hustle culture traps us in cycles of shame and self-comparison. She introduces her SANE Cycle (Slow down, Acknowledge, Navigate, Evaluate) and explains how boundaries, self-compassion, and intentional living create space for authentic well-being. This is a conversation about redefining success, letting go of “shoulds,” and reclaiming peace beyond productivity.

About the Guest

Dr. Portia Preston is a wellness strategist, TEDx speaker, and author who blends science, lived experience, and storytelling to challenge toxic hustle culture. She is the creator of The SANE Blueprint and advocates for accessible, shame-free approaches to health and leadership.

Key Takeaways

Hustle culture is fueled by societal “shoulds,” not personal truth. Recognizing this helps break cycles of shame.
True wellness is not productivity—it’s permission to pause, pivot, and honor your own rhythm.
The SANE Cycle (Slow down, Acknowledge, Navigate, Evaluate) offers a practical framework for decision-making and healing.
Boundaries aren’t walls—they are bridges to self-respect and healthier relationships.
Shame-free wellness means meeting yourself where you are without comparison to societal norms.
Self-compassion is essential, and sometimes requires “community-activated compassion” from trusted allies.
ADHD and executive function challenges can be reframed through flexibility, self-kindness, and adapting pace.
Energy vampires exist, even at home or work—protecting your energy with clear boundaries is key to thriving.
Worth is not earned through exhaustion; wellness is found in boundaries, breath, and self-acceptance.