EP: 77 When Vulnerability Becomes Strength

In this reflective and honest solo episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I talk openly about vulnerability, near-burnout, and what it has taken for me to finally slow down as 2025 comes to an end.

Inspired by Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability as courage, this episode explores how even positive things like building a business, publishing a book, pursuing passion projects can quietly push us back into old patterns of overworking, people-pleasing, and trying to prove our worth. I share how recognising those patterns early helped me step back before burning out again.

This episode is for teachers, leaders, and anyone who feels driven to keep going, even when their body and mind are asking them to stop.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Why vulnerability is not weakness, but a form of courage
How passion and purpose can still lead to burnout if we ignore our limits
The warning signs that show up when old habits return
Why rest is more than sleep and what real rest actually looks like
How learning to truly switch your brain off creates clarity and creativity
Why prioritising yourself isn’t selfish, even when it feels uncomfortable
The role of boundaries, saying no and protecting your energy
How imposter syndrome and the need to prove ourselves keep us stuck
Why finding safe people and places matters more than ever
How small, intentional positives help us and our teams thrive

Key Message
You don’t need to keep proving yourself to be worthy.
Rest is not failure.
Vulnerability is not weakness.

When we slow down, listen to ourselves, and choose to do things differently, we protect our wellbeing and create the conditions to show up with greater clarity, compassion and purpose for the people around us.

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