Why Smart Women Burn Out - It's Not What You Think

What if burnout isn’t about being too busy—but about being “fine”? In this honest solo episode of Leading You, Julie unpacks the quiet, insidious kind of burnout that so many high-achieving women experience—the one that hides behind the word “fine.” It’s not the dramatic collapse we associate with burnout. It’s the slow erosion that happens when your choices don’t match your values. From juggling work and ageing parents to people-pleasing and pushing through, this episode will help you spot the early warning signs and reconnect with your energy before burnout takes hold. If you’ve been feeling numb, resentful, or simply “off,” this is your invitation to pause, reflect, and choose differently.    In this episode, we cover: Why burnout isn’t just about workload—it’s about misalignment The truth behind the word “fine” and why it’s a red flag How small daily choices either drain or empower you Real-life examples from women juggling too much for too long Why reclaiming your energy is the ultimate leadership move Three powerful reflection prompts to help you reset Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and introduction 01:00 – The danger behind the word “fine” 02:00 – What the burnout stats are really telling us 04:00 – Misalignment: the hidden root cause 06:00 – Real-life story: an executive caught in the juggle 08:00 – Why burnout is a self-leadership issue 09:00 – You are the CEO of your energy 11:00 – The power of the pause 13:00 – 3 reflection questions to uncover what’s really going on 15:00 – Burnout as erosion, not explosion 16:00 – Final thoughts and your invitation to shift Ready for a reset? Download the  Clarity Compass to reconnect with what matters most and lead with intention. Know someone stuck in “fine”? Share this episode with her. Links: Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/ Instagram: @juliehydeleads Website: https://juliehyde.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.