Taryn Gunnlaugson | Breaking Barriers: Leadership, Mental Health & The Fatigue of Being the Only

In honour of Mental Health Week, this is a reminder that strength isn’t found in silence—it’s found in honesty.

In a world that rewards performance but punishes vulnerability, asking for help can feel like failure.

In this episode, Jenny sits down with Taryn Gunnlaugson, one of just 20% of CFA Charterholders in Canada who are women, and one of very few Investment Counsellors across the country, to talk about navigating anxiety, burnout, and the stigma of mental health in high-performing careers.

They talk candidly about what it means to be “the only” in the room, the quiet fatigue that comes with it, and why representation isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about belonging. If you're not from finance or a woman, you should tune in anyway to find out why mental health in high-performance careers deserves more than a passing mention.

They explore:

• Why “having it all together” can be a mask

• The courage it takes to seek support while leading others

• How to create workplace cultures where people feel safe to be human

• Why showing up imperfectly can be a leadership superpower

This episode is a reminder that the goal was never to be the only one at the table—it’s to make the table bigger.

Find out more about Taryn by following her on LinkedIn.