57. Burnout to Breakthrough with Monica Connolly

Monica Connolly’s life unraveled after losing a child, caring for a husband with a traumatic brain injury, and battling severe health crises, until her doctor warned: "If you don’t change, you’ll die soon." 

In this transformative episode, the certified holistic coach and host of Unshakable Belief Podcast reveals how she rebuilt her body, mind, and spirit from rock bottom.

Discover why gut health is the secret to nervous system regulation, the 5-minute daily reset that lowers cortisol, and how to reclaim your dreams when buried under responsibility. Monica’s Thrive Blueprint isn’t about quick fixes, it’s a science-backed roadmap for women ready to rise from burnout and step into their purpose.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Wake-Up Call: How Monica’s doctor’s dire warning forced her to confront binge eating, chronic stress, and self-abandonment—and why "just getting through the day" is a red flag.

2. Gut-Brain Connection: The unexpected link between probiotics and mental clarity (and how healing her microbiome helped regulate her nervous system).

3. The 5-Minute Rebellion: Why setting non-negotiable boundaries (even for a sunset gaze) is the first step to breaking burnout cycles.

4. Trauma vs. Purpose: How Monica’s grief became her superpower—and why sharing her story on stage unlocked her coaching calling.

5. The Reset Program: Her proven framework to help women realign health, confidence, and purpose (plus the mirror exercise that dissolves self-doubt).

Timestamps:
00:00 - "You’re Going to Die Soon": Monica’s Rock-Bottom Moment

04:30 - Losing a Child, Caregiving, and Burying Herself in Busyness

12:15 - The Pandemic Pivot: Leaving Healthcare to Drive Uber (And Find Herself)

20:45 - Gut Health Breakthrough: How Probiotics Quieted Her Fight-or-Flight Response

28:10 - The Stage That Changed Everything: Why Trauma Coaching Unlocked Her Voice

35:00 - Thrive Blueprint: Small Steps to Rebuild Health (Sleep, Hydration, Joy)

42:20 - "I Couldn’t Look in a Mirror": Healing Body Shame Through Journaling

50:00 - Client Spotlight: From Self-Doubt to Launching 3 Businesses

55:30 - Monica’s Mantra: "Your Journey Is Progress, Not Perfection"

Connect with Monica Connolly:

Website: https://monicaconnollycoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnconnolly/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMonicaConnolly

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicaconnollyandco/

Connect with Ian Bowen:

Website: https://thepositivepersistence.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen?lang=en

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk