Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others would have burned out. Below, you’ll find some brilliant entrepreneurs and creatives sharing how they’ve overcome or avoided burnout.

Kimberlee Herman

Simple: I realized I can’t save the world if I’m running on coffee and sheer willpower. I have been in this field for over 22 years. I have burned out a few times over my career and needed to take a year off (yes, a YEAR!) to recover.

I love being a counselor—it’s not the work itself that burns me out. It’s has been forgetting to care for myself in the process. Turns out, even therapists need therapy… or at least some solid boundaries and self-care. Read More>>

Michelle Mehta

Have you ever poured your heart and soul into your career, worked tirelessly to be a high performer, took pride in every task, and stayed fueled by passion—until one day… you just weren’t? That was me.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven by a deep desire to help people. When I stumbled into life coaching, it felt like finding my calling. I started out with a clear purpose: I wanted to make a difference, and I wanted to do it for the right reasons. My business began with a heart-centered mission, mostly working with professional women in their 30s to 50s who were desperate for a healthier work-life balance.  Read More>>

Tyneeta Canonge

I Almost Died. Twice.
The first time, it was my body that gave out. The second time, it was my spirit.
In 2017, I was brimming with pride as I prepared to celebrate my son’s high school graduation. As a school administrator and single mother, I saw this milestone as a capstone—an outward symbol of years of sacrifice, love, and leadership. My son was achieving something I had helped so many other young people reach, and now it was his turn. With so much to look forward to, I didn’t make time to investigate the growing concerns I had about my health. Read More>>

Jaiseok Kang

Throwing back then, I think I ignored burnout. Denial might be a more accurate word. I just kept pushing, working even harder and rushing more. However, it only got worse. Eventually, my wife suggested traveling. We did. I felt a bit better after the trip, but it didn’t last long.

I am still experiencing burnout since late 2023. Burnout feels like, to me, the more I struggle to get out of mud, the deeper I sink. Read More>>

Rafi Isaac

By having multiple projects going on at once I am able to bounce between them as I get inspired. Some projects may have to wait for a bit before I feel the ability and desire to come back to them. I can’t force the creativity, so I have learned to let it happen and when it happens. Read More>>

Melissa King

As a person who has struggled with people pleasing almost her entire life, burn out can hit early on in a counseling career.
I started my career as a clinician in private practice therapy in my late 20s. During this time, I was also married and became pregnant with my first child. Prior to being a therapist, I had been on staff with various churches and ministries.  Read More>>

Andrea Jang

Burnout is definitely not uncommon as a wedding photographer, especially during peak season. Earlier this year, I shot three weddings in one weekend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. After that marathon of a weekend, I promised myself I’d never book three back-to-back weddings again. Going into it, I knew I had to be extra prepared with backups in place and everything planned out in advance. Thankfully, everything went smoothly and I’m proud to say that all three weddings ended up being some of my absolute favorites I’ve ever captured. Read More>>

Kylee Gomes

As someone balancing a remote paralegal job while running Couture Kreations as a full-time entrepreneur, burnout is definitely something I’ve had to learn to overcome over the years. It’s a real thing and is rarely talked about. The key for me has been prioritizing self-care, time management and a flexible schedule. Read More>>

Jennifer Vonderau

Burnout in medicine is more than an occasional side-effect. It’s now a problem impacting nearly 50% of healthcare workers, which includes physician associates/ physician assistants (PAs). Burnout is defined by Maslach’s Burnout Inventory as a triad consisting of overwhelming exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of ineffectiveness. And in healthcare, if a provider is experiencing burnout, there is impact on other providers, patients, and entire health institutions. Read More>>

Ashleigh Hayden

I did not overcome or avoid burnout. In 2017 I experienced an emotional collapse, shortly after resigning from my corporate role in financial services. It was the culmination of three or four years spent proving myself: proving I was of value and worthy of respect by prioritising work above everything else. Read More>>