logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
33 m

#FRIEDguides: Why High Achievers Burn Ou...

Cait Donovan
About this episode

“It’s praised in our culture to have a bold, clear, big vision for the kind of impact you want to make in the world and in your life, but what’s not talked about is, ‘Is it realistic?” says Sarah Vosen as she joins Cait Donovan to co-host this latest episode of FRIEDguides. Today, the two discuss why high achievers tend to be the first to burn out. It has to do with unrealistic expectations–both for their achievements and their capacity to achieve. As a result, high achievers continue to expend more energy than they receive in return, and–being so doggedly ambitious--don't stop, even when they’re on the verge of breaking down.


Many high achievers are people who are operating from trauma and wounding, perpetually chasing a dangling carrot of success in order to feel worthy. Today, Sarah and Cait discuss the common signs of energy depletion, how we can manage them and start restoring our input. 


Join Cait and Sarah to learn more about savior complexes, controlling people through indebtedness, and the hidden hazards of having high kitchen counter tops.


Quotes

  • “It’s praised in our culture to have a bold clear, big vision for the kind of impact you want to make in the world and in your life but what’s not talked about is, ‘Is it realistic?’ For your capacity as an individual and/or your team, if you have one, to actually achieve what you’ve set out to achieve without digging yourself a hole of depletion in the process.” (1:49 | Sarah Vosen)
  • “Perfectionism and people-pleasing tend to be two sides of the same coin…and these things are rooted in wounding. It’s rooted in wanting to be seen, to be praised, to be loved, really, at the root. So, when you’re operating from this place, this wounded place, you feel like the more you achieve the more you’ll be loved, and so why wouldn’t you, especially if it’s possible.” (3:14 | Sarah Vosen)
  • “The more you do, the more you output. So, the only way to get better and recover from burnout is to decrease your output and/or increase your input because you’ve got to fill that hole of depletion somewhere, somehow.” (8:53 | Sarah Vosen)
  • “I feel like people who really get stuck in the burnout cycle are the high-achievers, first and foremost, because they wait the longest to get the support. And the habitual drive is strong, so until your literal will to push breaks down, you keep using it to keep going.” (17:48 | Caitlin Donovan and Sarah Vosen)
  • “You can still make a difference and achieve, make an impact, have a vision in the way that you want to when you come back to it from this shored up, energetic, conscious place, where you are spending only what you want to spend on only what you want to spend it on, and you’re consciously receiving more than you were before.” (25:11 | Sarah Vosen)


Links

Connect with Sarah:

One-on-one coaching free call with Sarah Vosen:https://caitdonovan.as.me/coachwithsarah


Connect with Cait:

Initial Call with Cait: bit.ly/callcait

Initial Call with Sarah: bit.ly/callsarahv



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm


Up next
Yesterday
Dr. Jen Wagner: Canyon Ranch Burnout Retreats Fall 2025
Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Burnout reaches far beyond the office, touching every layer of health, purpose, and identity, and Dr. ... Show More
38m 26s
Aug 17
#straightfromcait: How Long Does Burnout Recovery Take
Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Burnout recovery takes more than waiting for time to pass. It asks you to examine who you’ve been, wh ... Show More
9m 45s
Aug 10
Burnout Recovery Exercise: Worst Case Scenario
Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Burnout can make every decision feel impossible. When you’re stuck in fear and second-guessing everyt ... Show More
12m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
S3 Ep07 - Managing Stress & Burnout
We often overlook the early warning signs of burnout—subtle hints like exhaustion, irritability, or loss of motivation. Instead, we push forward, believing that powering through will get us to the finish line faster. But ignoring these signs only brings us closer to a breaking po ... Show More
23m 8s
Jun 2024
Leading Burnout Expert | How to Finally Feel Better
Exhausted, cynical, and ineffective? You could be experiencing burnout. In this candid conversation, Dr. Neha Sangwan provides a radical reframe, defining burnout as a profound mind-body disconnect from ignoring our core needs while chasing society's narrow "success." Drawing fro ... Show More
58m 40s
May 2023
What is my worth if I can't do what I used to? Discovering middle ground after burnout.
Avery Thatcher, registered nurse and burnout specialist, takes us on a journey of finding yourself again after burnout. She openly shares her own story and how she grieved the loss of Heather in favour or becoming Avery. We learn about the body's stress responses, the warning sig ... Show More
38m 24s
Apr 2025
The Extra Scoop: What is Burnout?
Burnout is a growing concern, dominating workplace discussions and social media. But what does it actually mean? Is it just a buzzword or a real issue we need to take seriously? In this episode, we explore what burnout is, why it’s such a big deal right now, and what you can do t ... Show More
30m 25s
May 19
You’re Not Broken—You’re Burned Out: Why Biofeedback > Bubble Baths
If one more person tells you to fix your burnout with meditation or a bubble bath and it makes you feel like smacking someone...You’re not alone! Because when you’re already running on empty, another “should” just adds fuel to the fire. In this episode, we’re tossing the fluffy s ... Show More
23m 42s
Aug 2022
#183 - Debunking The Shame of Burnout with Dr. Stephanie Stoddart
In this episode, Dr. Tarryn MacCarthy chats up with Dr. Stephanie Stoddart about burnout and everything that comes with it. Stephanie shares her experience with burnout, when it started, and everything that happened in her life after. She also shares her passion project, the Ban ... Show More
28m 7s
Jul 4
Reset Overwhelm With a Simple Therapy Tool for People Pleasers & High Achievers
Tired of trying to think your way out of overthinking?Let me show you what actually works—in less than 30 minutes.Get immediate access to a free class now.Feeling stretched too thin? This episode introduces a ridiculously simple therapy-based tool to help you assess your energy, ... Show More
9m 6s
Mar 2025
#354 - The Truth About Willpower – How to Use It to Your Advantage
In today’s episode of The Business of Happiness podcast, Dr. Tarryn McCarthy uncovers the science behind decision fatigue and why putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Learn how your daily energy levels impact your choices, why self-care should come before serving ... Show More
23m 36s
May 2024
From Burnout to Breakthrough: A PT's Journey to Rediscover Her Passion (f Jill Siriann)
Jill Siriann is a physical therapist and clinic director, shares her personal story of hitting rock bottom with burnout during the pandemic. She opens up about the immense pressure she felt, spreading herself too thin, and losing sight of her passion. She shares the turning point ... Show More
19m 12s
May 16
Healing Your Nervous System from Stress and Burnout
Are you a busy professional with ADHD feeling overwhelmed and burned out? You're not alone. This week, David welcomes Brittany Piper, author of Body-First Healing: Get Unstuck and Recover from Trauma with Somatic Healing, and an expert in trauma-informed care, to dig into the pro ... Show More
52m 17s