Photographer and business coach Christi Johnson joins me for an honest conversation about what happens when “success” is built on hustle. We talk 10K months that still felt awful, stress-induced hypomania, missed boundaries, and how she rebuilt her business with rest, slower growth, and non-negotiables that actually protect her health. If you’ve ever wondered whether scaling is worth the cost—or how to come back after burnout—this one’s for you.
Christi Johnson Creative - https://christijohnsoncreative.com/
Follow Christi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/christijohnsoncreative
Chapters
00:00 – Cold open: Scaling too fast & the trap of hustle culture
02:13 – Welcome & setup: Why Christi’s story matters this season
04:41 – Behind the highlight reel: Hitting the milestones, feeling overwhelmed
10:19 – When mental health breaks: Hypomania, missed deadlines & boundary resets
22:30 – Recovery & rebuild: Slow growth, non-negotiables, and designing a sane calendar
Key Takeaways
Mentioned In This Episode
HoneyBook — The CRM & Client Flow platform I’ve trusted for 7+ years. Try it free + 30% off your first year: simplysandrayvonne.ca/honeybook
Busy Season Email Survival Kit (Free) — Inbox templates for the days when your capacity is low, but the work still needs to get done: simplysandrayvonne.ca/survivalkit
Fix Your Foundations: Offboarding Edition — My 5-day email challenge that helps you actually end projects with less stress: simplysandrayvonne.ca/fixyourfoundations
The Cabana (Patreon) — Bonus content, extended interviews, and behind-the-scenes voice notes for photographers building sustainable businesses: simplysandrayvonne.ca/patreon
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