Meet Stacy Ellis, Ph.D.

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacy Ellis, Ph.D.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacy below.

Hi Stacy, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout

As a psychologist and coach, I talk a lot about burnout—how it shows up, what it feels like, and how it quietly chips away at our performance and well-being. But I’ve also had to learn, firsthand, how to avoid it myself. For me, avoiding burnout isn’t about achieving perfect balance—it’s about practicing consistency in the small things that protect my energy over time.

Rest is foundational. A good night’s sleep changes everything—how I think, how I lead, how I respond to stress. I’ve learned that I’m not at my best when I’m running on empty, and no amount of caffeine or productivity hacks can replace being well-rested.

I also make time for intentional self-care—not just bubble baths and spa days, but the everyday choices that support my body and mind. Eating well, staying hydrated, and moving with purpose—even if it’s just a walk around the block—help me stay grounded and alert. I schedule short breaks between sessions or meetings to reset and protect my focus. It may sound simple, but those 10-minute pauses are often what keep me going on long days.

When life gets demanding, I lean on perspective and optimism. That doesn’t mean ignoring hard moments—it means reminding myself that difficulty doesn’t last forever, and that I’ve worked through challenges before. That mindset helps me stay steady instead of slipping into overdrive or survival mode.

And finally, I prioritize connection. Having an active social life filled with meaningful, mutual relationships is one of the biggest safeguards against burnout. Whether it’s laughter with friends, check-ins with family, or deep conversations with people who really get me—those relationships fuel me.

Avoiding burnout isn’t just about what I stop doing—it’s about what I intentionally build into my life to sustain my energy, clarity, and sense of purpose. It’s also the foundation of what I help others do in my coaching work: lead and perform at a high level without losing themselves in the process.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a clinical psychologist and executive coach who works with high-performing professionals—executives, leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and rising talent—who want to continue growing professionally without burning out. Through coaching, I help people show up as their best selves in high-pressure environments by focusing on performance, resilience, and overall well-being.

What’s most exciting to me is helping people break out of survival mode. So many high-achievers are used to pushing through, ignoring their own needs, and measuring success by how much they can carry. I help them slow down just enough to recalibrate—so they can lead with confidence, navigate challenges with more clarity, and sustain their performance without sacrificing themselves in the process.

What makes my work unique is the integration of psychology and coaching. I bring the depth of clinical insight, but with a forward-focused, action-oriented approach. My clients aren’t coming to me to process the past—they’re coming to move ahead with purpose, strategy, and support.

Right now, I’m expanding the coaching side of my practice and offering new coaching packages tailored to professionals who want to improve their performance without losing sight of their health, values, or personal lives. All sessions are virtual, and I work with clients across multiple industries who are ready to grow—not just professionally, but personally too.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three things that have been especially impactful in my journey are self-awareness, emotional discipline, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Self-awareness is the foundation of everything. Knowing how I operate—what energizes me, what drains me, where my blind spots are—has helped me make better decisions, set boundaries, and grow. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: get curious about yourself. Take time to reflect. Pay attention to how you feel in different environments, around different people, and when making certain choices. That insight will serve you in every area of life.

Emotional discipline has helped me stay grounded through uncertainty and change. It doesn’t mean suppressing emotions; it means learning how to respond instead of react. Developing this skill has allowed me to lead with clarity, manage stress more effectively, and stay focused even in high-pressure moments. One way to build this is by practicing the pause—taking a moment to breathe and check in with yourself before responding. That small shift can change the entire tone of a conversation or the direction of a decision.

Communication is often underrated, but it plays a powerful role in how we lead, collaborate, and advocate for ourselves. The ability to express ideas clearly, ask for what you need, and create psychological safety in conversations can strengthen relationships and increase your influence. I’ve seen this firsthand in my own life—when I’ve communicated with more intention, it’s led to stronger partnerships and better outcomes. My advice is to focus not just on what you’re saying, but also on how you’re saying it and how it’s landing with others. The more intentional you are with your words, the more impact they’ll have.

All three of these can be developed with intention and consistency. It’s not about perfection, it’s about practice.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe in leading with your strengths while also being aware of your gaps. Going all in on your strengths is what sets you apart—it’s where your confidence, energy, and highest impact often live. But ignoring areas of growth can eventually limit you, especially if those areas are getting in the way of your goals or relationships.

In my own professional journey, self-awareness helped me see where leaning too heavily on certain strengths was starting to work against me. For example, I’ve always been highly independent and driven—those qualities helped me achieve a lot. But I had to learn how to ask for help, collaborate more openly, and not view every challenge as something I had to solve alone.

In my coaching work, I often help high-performers identify how to double down on their natural strengths, but also how to develop just enough range to avoid blind spots. You don’t need to master everything, but if something is consistently creating friction or holding you back, it’s worth addressing.

So when considering whether to go all in on strengths or become more well-rounded, I don’t see it as either/or. Lead with your strengths, but stay open to areas where growth is needed. Strengths create momentum, but self-awareness and adaptability help you sustain your progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.forwardfocuscw.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forwardfocuscw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forwardfocuscw
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyellisphd/