logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
24m 25s

#FRIEDguides: Stop Self-Sabotaging Your ...

Cait Donovan
About this episode

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]


Self-sabotage isn’t a personal flaw. It’s your nervous system doing its best to keep you safe.


In this whole new episode of #FRIEDguides, Cait Donovan and Sarah Vosen take a closer look at why so many people feel like they’re getting in their own way during burnout recovery. What if those moments where you fall back into old habits aren’t failures, but signals that your body is overwhelmed and reaching for something familiar? What if the behavior you’re judging is actually trying to protect you?


Cait and Sarah break down how our nervous systems react to change, why recovery often feels messy, and how shame can make everything harder. Instead of trying to push through with force, they talk about how to meet yourself with compassion, curiosity, and a little more patience.


They also get personal. Cait shares her ongoing relationship with sugar and the deep-rooted comfort it represents. It’s a reminder that coping strategies aren’t always the problem. Sometimes they’re part of the process.


If you’ve ever wondered why change feels so hard, or why you can’t seem to stick with “good” habits, this conversation will help you see things in a new light. Recovery is a dance. You’re allowed to take small steps, shift directions, and give yourself grace along the way.


Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

03:04 Why Cait and Sarah Don’t Believe in Self-Sabotage

05:00 The Nervous System’s Role in Familiar Behaviors

07:04 Shame, Judgment, and the Myth of Failure

09:27 Coping Mechanisms and What They’re Really Doing

10:41 Burnout Recovery as a Non-Linear Process

13:21 Listening to Your Body and Meeting Yourself with Compassion

22:05 Redefining Progress and Practicing Gentleness Along the Way


Links


Connect with Cait:

Initial Call with Cait: bit.ly/callcait

Initial Call with Sarah: bit.ly/callsarahv


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]



Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm


Up next
Nov 23
Cyndie Spiegel: Use This Technique to Find Hope When You're Stuck in the Muck
<p><span>Burnout isn’t the end of your story. With Sarah Vosen’s guidance, recovery becomes not just possible—but sustainable. Learn more: </span><a href="https://caitdonovan.com/coaching" rel="nofollow">https://caitdonovan.com/coaching</a></p><p><br></p><p><span>Burnout doesn’t ... Show More
41m 42s
Nov 16
#straightwithcait: Why Behavior Change Is So Hard (and What Your Brain Has to Do With It)
<p><span>Healing happens faster with guidance. Give yourself permission to ask for and receive help: </span><a href="https://caitdonovan.com/coaching" rel="nofollow">https://caitdonovan.com/coaching</a></p><p><br></p><p><span>Most people think they’ve failed at change when they’v ... Show More
9m 12s
Nov 9
Coaching with Sarah: Spinning in the ‘Am I Burned Out?’ Loop? This One’s for You
You don’t have to carry burnout alone. The right support can help you breathe again—start here: https://caitdonovan.com/coachingBurnout doesn’t always look like collapse; sometimes it hides in the moments when you’re still performing, but your spark keeps flickering out, and that ... Show More
55m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 12
Episode 133: Q&A with Vic: Fear, Fullness and Self-Acceptance in Eating Disorder Recovery
In this episode of Fly To Freedom, Vic and I are back answering your real questions from the community. We’re going deep into the messy, uncomfortable but transformative parts of eating disorder recovery — things like acting in line with your values when fear keeps getting in the ... Show More
41m 18s
Feb 2025
430: The Truth About Recovery with Dr. Mala
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>Episode 430: Integrative Approaches to Recovery with Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri</strong></p> <p>In this episode of The Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri, also known as Dr. Mala, to discuss her integrativ ... Show More
54m 37s
Feb 2025
#134 HYLANE Therapy and a New Path for Aphasia Recovery
<p>Can stroke and aphasia recovery go beyond traditional therapy?</p> <p>In this episode, Dr. Robert Hedaya, founder of Whole Psychiatry, shares how HYLANE Therapy helps rewire the brain for better speech and cognitive recovery. We’ll explore how different brain networks are invo ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2023
12-Step Recovery and the God Question: Demystifying the 12 Steps, w/ Arlina Allen
<p>Interested in getting 1:1 coaching support? Learn about my Coaching Program and book a free discovery call: <a href='https://www.jeremylipkowitz.com/intro'>https://www.jeremylipkowitz.com/intro</a><br/><br/>GET NOTIFIED WHEN DOORS OPEN TO UNHOOKED RECOVERY: <a href='https://je ... Show More
1h 21m
Sep 2024
Episode 79: Reclaiming Self-Worth: Shifting the ‘Not Good Enough’ Belief in Anorexia Recovery
<p><strong>Why do so many of us feel like we’re not good enough, no matter how hard we try?</strong></p> <p>In this episode, we tackle a common struggle in anorexia recovery—the feeling of inadequacy. You’ll learn how early conditioning and societal pressures contribute to the be ... Show More
23m 10s
Mar 2024
Dealing with Relapse in Eating Disorder Recovery
<p>When you have a relapse in recovery, you can feel as though you are back to square one. A relapse is a normal part of the process of healing. In this episode, I explore how to manage and even embrace relapses (learning experiences!). I hope that you enjoy the episode.</p> <p>  ... Show More
15m 59s
Sep 2023
What if I never get better? – Tools & Strategies to Stay Hopeful & Focused on Recovery | Ep. 354
What if I never get better? This is a common and distressing fear that many people worry about. It can feel very depressing, it can be incredibly anxiety-provoking, and most of all, it can make you feel so alone. Today, I’m going to address the fear, “What if I never get better?” ... Show More
29m 16s
Jan 2025
Gabby Bernstein : Self Help This Is Your Chance to Change Your Life
What does real healing look like, and how can we start today? In this episode of A Really Good Cry, I’m chatting with the incredible Gabby Bernstein—spiritual teacher, author, and someone who’s turned her own pain into purpose. Gabby shares her inspiring journey from addiction an ... Show More
55m 16s
Jul 2024
#352: How Do I Move My Recovery From My Head To My Heart?
Caller Allen's Question: "When does sobriety transform into my reclaimed self? How will I know that recovery is actually taking place? Long-term addict here, seeking guidance in understanding the stages of recovery. I am motivated to quit after lying and hiding for so long. I am ... Show More
44m 37s