Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into how high-achieving women can reclaim their power and purpose and break the trauma default with  globally recognized strategic advisor Christy Rutherford. Christy challenges cultural norms around endurance, self-sacrifice, and worth, and offers a powerful, data-backed roadmap for recovery, self-worth, and unapologetic earning.

As a  leadership strategist and burnout recovery expert, Christy’s work has transformed the lives of hundreds of high-achieving women. She is a Harvard Business School alumnus, the 13th African American woman to achieve the rank of commander in the United States Coast Guard, and the creator of the Trauma Default Breakthrough System.

Key Discussion Points:

02:43 Trauma Default & Survival Mode: Christy introduces the “trauma default” - the unconscious stress response formed in childhood that drives overachievement.

09:00 Burnout is Not a Badge of Honor: Women silently suffer through burnout until their bodies shut down.

16:13 Confessing You’re Not Okay: Shame keeps high-achieving women stuck and isolated in their suffering.

19:02 Struggle Addiction & Cultural Conditioning: Cultural scripts teach us to glorify sacrifice even when it’s killing us.

29:20 Rewriting Your Inner Script & Raising Your Value: Mindset, not more degrees, unlocks higher pay and more aligned leadership.

In Summary: Christy Rutherford unpacks the deep connection between trauma, burnout, and overachievement in high-performing women of color.

Resources from this episode:

90 Second Career Recovery Quiz

The Pay Raise Playbook

Find your Burnout Score.

Follow Christy on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube or check out her website.

If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.

Ready to make a change?

→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.

→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you’re unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.

Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Connect with your hosts:

Follow Embracing Only on LinkedIn, I

Ready to make a change?
→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals?
Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.
→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.
Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.