The Journey from Burnout to Recovery: A Personal Story

As long as I can remember, I’ve been a people-pleaser. I love bringing joy to others—even if it comes at my own expense. This often meant putting my own needs on the back burner. I would finish one more task, check off another item on a to-do list, or help someone else out.

When I began my career in a financial institution, I was eager to climb the corporate ladder. I didn't mind working late occasionally, volunteering for extra projects, and pushing myself to learn new skills. My efforts were noticed, and for a while, I thrived.

What I quickly learned, however, is that leadership matters.

The Impact of Leadership

Throughout my corporate career, I experienced different kinds of leadership. Under supportive leaders, I felt valued, heard, and motivated. Even when the work was challenging, I ended the day tired but fulfilled.

But under unsupportive leadership, things shifted dramatically. Instead of feeling part of a team, I felt like my contributions didn’t matter. Tasks were done “because I said so,” without considering the real impact. Over time, that disconnection began to erode not just my job satisfaction, but my health.

When Work Impacts Your Health

The longer I stayed, the more my body began to break down. I was constantly sick—at one point battling infections so severe I needed multiple rounds of antibiotics. I was exhausted all the time. My immune system and nervous system seemed to be running on empty.

Food became a struggle. Even healthy meals made me feel worse, until I was down to only a handful of foods I could tolerate. I sought help from multiple health professionals—doctors, naturopaths, therapists—but nothing seemed to bring permanent relief.

At one point, I lost all feeling in one of my legs for an entire month. Terrified, I feared I might be in the early stages of a serious neurological condition. I felt trapped, defeated, and certain that if nothing changed, I was headed for a hospital bed. Burnout had taken a complete toll on my body.

Rebuilding My Health

It’s been two years since I left the coporate world, and I’m finally beginning to feel like myself again. Recovery has not been quick or easy. At first, even a 15-minute walk would wipe me out for the rest of the day. I had to relearn how to use my energy wisely, leaving “a little gas in the tank” for the next day so my body could start to rebuild.

Slowly, my sleep improved. My nervous system began to calm. My immune system regained strength. I began to understand that recovery isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about listening, slowing down, and giving your body what it needs.

Lessons Learned

Looking back, there are a few things I wish I had known sooner:

• Your health is worth more than any job. Even if you love your work, it should never come at the expense of your well-being.

• Overachievers are especially at risk. The same traits that make you successful—drive, discipline, resilience—can also keep you stuck on the fast track to burnout.

• Leadership makes or breaks the experience. Great leaders uplift and support. Poor leadership drains and damages.

• False timelines don’t serve you. I pushed myself to finish school on top of a full-time job, even when my body was clearly crying out for rest. In hindsight, I should have paused and given myself space to recover.

  
  

Moving Forward

I now recognize the early signs of burnout, and I know how to stop the spiral before it becomes a health crisis. I want to help other professionals do the same.

If parts of my story sound familiar, please know this: you don’t have to drag yourself as far into burnout as I did. There are tools—mindset shifts, boundaries, and habits—that can protect your health and energy while still allowing you to thrive in your career.

In my next post, I’ll share the signs and symptoms of burnout and practical strategies for recovery. If you’re ready to start making changes now, my 12-week burnout recovery program is designed to help high-achieving professionals rebuild their energy, reclaim their health, and rediscover joy outside of work.

Because your health is never replaceable—but you are at any job.