Burnout doesn’t always arrive with sirens; sometimes it’s a quiet collapse on the office floor before a board meeting. We sit down with leadership psychologist and human performance expert Rachael Edmondson-Clark to unpack how high-achieving women slide from “I’ve got this” into overload, why dopamine and constant wins can become compulsive, and the simple biological habits that pull you back to steady ground. Rachael’s story moves from masking and toxic positivity to a mission-led life, with honest lessons about listening to the body, not just the mind.
Across the conversation, we blend psychology with physiology in practical ways you can use today. We explore the power of morning daylight to anchor your circadian rhythm, walking meetings to unlock creativity and problem solving, and micro-moments that repair relationships—a six-second kiss, the “Disney hug rule,” and being truly present for the people you love. We also talk about the trap of saving restoration for weekends or holidays and how to weave recovery into daily life, even when work and family demands are intense.
Rachael shares the Four R model—Recognise, Restore, Resolve, Regulate—a clear framework to spot stress signals early, top up resources, tackle external stressors with brave conversations, and use regulation as a bridge rather than a crutch. You’ll come away with language, tools and small rituals that reduce reactivity, expand bandwidth and protect long-term performance. Want more of Rachael’s work? Find her at https://ellevar.co.uk/ or on LinkedIn. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more women break the burnout cycle.

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