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The Bold Pivot: From Burnout to Breakthrough
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What happens when you abandon the corporate career you've spent decades building—with no backup plan? Leigh Burgess knows this territory intimately. After twenty years climbing the healthcare administration ladder at prestigious institutions like Duke and Dartmouth, she found herself sleeping just two hours a night, physically deteriorating, and completely disconnected from her authentic self.
In this raw and revealing conversation, Leigh shares the moment she realized the strategy that had always worked—taking on more responsibility—was now destroying her health and happiness. Her bold decision to quit without a plan led to co-founding a company with her daughter and creating the BOLD framework (Believe, Own, Learn, Design) that now guides individuals and organizations through meaningful transformation.
Leigh offers powerful insights about identity beyond title, challenging the stories we tell ourselves, and redefining success on deeply personal terms. "Your values are really the things that are the filter for your actions and, ultimately, your beliefs," she explains, pinpointing how misalignment in these areas inevitably leads to burnout.
The discussion explores practical exercises for discovering your true "why," techniques for silencing imposter syndrome, and why fear should be viewed as a signal rather than a stop sign. Leigh's vulnerability about her own journey—including how her brother's death when she was six shaped her need to make everyone happy—creates profound connection points for anyone questioning their current path.
Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, recovering from burnout, or simply seeking greater alignment between your values and daily life, this episode delivers both inspiration and tactical frameworks for taking that first bold step. As Leigh wisely notes, "You don't have to have it all figured out—you just need to know the next ten steps."
Ready to discover how choosing yourself might be the boldest and most rewarding move you'll ever make? Listen now and begin reimagining what's possible in your own life.
Leigh's Book Recommendation: The Ambition Trap by Amina AlTai
Leigh's Book: Be Bold Today: Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset, and Achieve Success
More about Leigh:
Leigh Burgess is a visionary leader, dynamic connector, and catalyst for change, dedicated to empowering others to step into their boldness. After over 20 years in the corporate world, she launched Bold Industries Group, a platform that’s redefining what it means to live and lead with purpose. Through her Bold events, the Bold Leaders Collective community, The Bold Lounge Podcast and her impactful speaking and coaching, Leigh inspires changemakers to elevate, lead, and live their boldest and best life.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighburgess23/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theleighaburgess
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boldindustriesgroup
Leader-Decide-Matters-Deliver/dp/1394343477
House of JerMar: houseofjermar.com
Empowerment Fundamentals Course: https://members.houseofjermar.com/empowerment-course
Instagram: instagram.com/houseofjermar/
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@Houseofjermar
Read Jeanne's Book: Two Feet In: Lessons From an All-In Life
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE!
Chapters
1. Burnout and Misaligned Values (00:00:00)
2. Introduction to Leigh Burgess (00:01:26)
3. Quitting Without a Plan (00:03:22)
4. Finding Identity Beyond Corporate Title (00:06:07)
5. The BOLD Framework Explained (00:10:58)
6. Understanding Your Why (00:17:59)
7. Continual Learning and Personal Growth (00:27:48)
8. Redefining Success Beyond Metrics (00:35:37)
9. The Bold Leader Book Preview (00:42:33)
10. The Bold Lounge Podcast (00:46:37)
11. Final Thoughts and Closing (00:52:31)
69 episodes
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