Burnout Recovery: Strategies for Professionals

Forbes says leaders are ditching empathy in favour of hard-nosed results. I say: false dichotomy. Great leaders know people are the path to profits.

In this episode, I pull apart the “nice vs. tough boss” argument and show why heart-centred leadership isn’t soft — it’s smarter, more sustainable, and far more effective. Along the way I draw on research and wisdom from Jim Collins, Shawn Achor, Brené Brown, Ed Catmull, Simon Sinek, Da...

In July 2017, I had a heart attack brought on by stress and burnout. Six months later, just as I was getting back on my feet, I was hit by a car. I spent three months in hospital with broken bones, unable to move, and doing hundreds of rehab reps from a hospital bed.

It was painful. It was stressful. And it forced me to learn how to handle real stress—the kind that shakes your whole life.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why stress ...

Stress isn’t the real problem — it’s what we make it mean. In this episode, I explore how wearable technology combined with AI coaching can help high performers manage stress in real time, break cycles of self-doubt, and boost productivity.

I share a client story to illustrate how self-judgment prolongs stress and show practical ways to respond differently in the moment. Then, we dive into how wearable-tracked metrics like heart rat...

In this episode, I sit down with Oli Johnson, health tech entrepreneur and co-founder of PrescribeLife.AI—a human resilience platform helping high performers reach their potential without burning out.

Oli shares his personal story of burning out as a tech founder, the long road back to health, and how that journey inspired him to build PrescribeLife. His new platform connects wearables and genetic insights with AI-powered coaching, ...

Burnout hasn’t gone away — it’s just changed shape.

• Hybrid work blurred boundaries so badly that people are “always on.”
• AI was supposed to reduce workload, but now professionals feel like they’re running to keep up with the machine.
• Layoffs and cost-cutting mean “do the job of two people” is the new normal.

The numbers are brutal:

• 66% of employees say they’re burnt out.
• 85% are experiencing physical symptoms.
• Burnout is cost...

Ever wish you had a coach in your back pocket—24/7, no judgement, no waiting for an appointment?

That’s the idea behind Coach AI. In this episode, I’ll walk you through why AI is now ready to play a real role in burnout recovery, how it actually works, and why it’s not about “pushing you harder” but about giving you space, clarity, and control.

We’ll cover:

• Why AI coaching is uniquely powerful for high-pressure professionals.
• What ...

Burnout doesn’t come from doing too much meaningful work.
 It comes from being buried in meaningless work.

In this episode, we explore deep work — your highest-value contribution. The work only you can do, that moves the needle and brings you alive again.

You’ll learn:

• Why focus and single-mindedness create better results than multitasking
• How to identify your “zone of genius” and stay in it
• Practical steps to reclaim time for d...

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem immune to burnout, this episode is your roadmap. I’ll walk you through the 10 key attitudes and practices that protect you from chronic stress, overwork, and frustration — and show you how to develop them for yourself.

These aren’t quick tips; they’re the personal traits and daily practices that create lasting resilience. You’ll learn why each one matters, how to put it into action, and h...

In this episode, Dex introduces systems thinking as a powerful tool for breaking burnout loops. Rather than blaming ourselves for exhaustion, Dex explains how unseen patterns — feedback loops, delays, and misguided leverage — quietly reinforce overwork, perfectionism, and stress.

You’ll hear how professionals like lawyers and doctors get stuck in these systems and how small but strategic shifts can transform your experience of work....

Worry can feel like a necessary part of success—but it’s more often a habit that drains your energy, confidence, and focus. In this episode, we explore two ways to cut worry down to size quickly.

First, we’ll look at a science-based 4-step protocol from Dr. Steve Bierman’s book The End of Worry, which helps dissolve worry as a reflex. Then, we’ll compare it to a coaching-based approach I use with clients in burnout—rooted ...

In this episode, I unpack some of the core ideas from The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson — and how they relate (or don’t) to burnout recovery. We’ll explore why the pursuit of positivity can backfire, what “choosing your struggles” actually means, and how to take radical responsibility without shame or blame.

You’ll hear my take on:

• Why you shouldn’t try to care about everything
• The role of values, pain, and freedo...

 Discover 5 powerful mind-body tools that support recovery from stress, anxiety, and burnout. Dex shares personal stories, client experiences, and science-backed modalities including Reiki, EFT, MBSR, Polyvagal-informed practices, and coaching. Whether you’re new to mind-body medicine or curious to go deeper, this episode offers insight, relief, and real tools for healing. 

References and Resources:
https://www.burnout...

In this episode on mind-body recovery, Dex explores how physical, emotional, and nervous system practices can help you break the burnout cycle—even when nothing else seems to be working.

Forget effort-based solutions. These are small, proven actions that calm your system, rebuild confidence, and reconnect you to purpose—without needing more energy or motivation.

You’ll learn:

• Why most burnout solutions fall short
• What a mind-body a...

Burnout changes your brain — literally! In this episode, Dex explains how stress rewires your mind, and how to restore energy, clarity, and joy.

You’ll learn:

• Why you’re foggy, anxious or flat — but not broken
• The brain science of burnout (amygdala, cortisol, executive function)
• Practical ways to calm your nervous system and rebuild clarity and drive

If you’re feeling numb, stuck or off your game, there’s a path back.

...

What if energy, stress, and perception held the keys to physical and emotional healing? In this conversation, Dex sits down with Henning R. Jensen, quantum physics author and energy expert, to explore how the subtle forces of thought, emotion, and trauma affect our health, biology, and potential.

You’ll learn how quantum principles apply to everyday life—and how understanding your energetic system might unlock healing, clarity, and ...

When someone pushes your buttons—at work, at home, or anywhere—it can feel like all your calm and clarity vanish in an instant. But these uncomfortable moments are not just disruptions; they’re powerful opportunities for self-leadership and burnout recovery.

In this episode, I share a personal story of being triggered by my own financial planner, plus a client story from the workplace, to show how old patterns and fears shape our re...

When the Crown Feels Heavy: Why Promotions Burn You Out (and How to Grow Into Them)

Stepping into a new leadership role should feel like a win — so why does it so often feel like stress, self-doubt, and exhaustion?

In this episode, Dex reveals the hidden burnout risks that come with promotions, role changes, and leadership transitions. You’ll learn why these exciting career moments often trigger overwhelm — and how to consciously gro...

In this week’s episode, Dex breaks down the crucial differences—and surprising overlaps—between coaching and psychotherapy, especially for professionals experiencing burnout.

You'll learn:

• When therapy is essential—and when coaching may serve you better
• Why some people don’t get full relief from therapy or medication alone
• How coaching can transform burnout—even if your workplace or boss doesn’t change
• The real reason habits li...

In this episode, we explore a surprising yet research-backed path to recovery from burnout: gratitude. If you’re working in health care—or in any high-stress, high-stakes profession—you might feel like there’s no room for gratitude when your world is collapsing. But what if it could be one of the most powerful tools to reverse the helplessness and disconnection of burnout?

Dex shares stories, science, and practical exercises to help...