It was March 2023, as I sat in my manager's office getting gaslit for the hundredth time, that I had my epiphany: f*ck this sh*t.

For years I put work first, answering calls and emails at 2am or during dinner with the people I love, skipping moments and memories I could have been a part of, covering the work of the co-workers that left and was left holding the buck because "we can't fill these positions".

I gained weight, I was put on high blood pressure medication at 36 years old, I developed a bald-spot from all the stress, believed that sleeping 4.5hrs a night was a badge of honour, and I no longer felt "coloured in".

I was addicted to the adrenaline and was in fight or flight mode 24/7 for years.

All because I wanted to climb the ladder, to add another title to my resume, to assume my identity as the top manager of the company.

In that moment, sitting in that room across from a man who was hacking at me, my work, my confidence, and my sense of self - all the while putting the other hand out to ask me to give more; I realised that all the late nights, the initiatives, the sacrifice, the tears in the office toilet, the energy, the everything I gave to this role and the company, it was never going to be enough.

Hustle culture is dead.

I sent my notice that week and walked away from over a decade at that company. I spent the next two years unpacking and healing my work trauma, changing my language, releasing my resentment, and recovering from the biggest burnout of my life. It was a tough journey with as many gut punches as there were ah ha moments.

And here we are today. I am so proud to give you the shortcut and hacks to build yourself back up after burnout. I hope you stay a while, it's going to be great!