In this special “I Wish I Would Have Known” episode of Within, Nicky Wallace and Heidi Buttoph dive into a conversation that many people can relate to—but don’t always talk about.

What happens when you’re still showing up, getting your work done, and “keeping the wheels on the bus moving”… but you’re not actually okay?

Nicky shares a recent experience during her pregnancy where a colleague simply acknowledged that her energy felt different. That small moment sparked a much bigger reflection—how often do we show up to work not feeling like ourselves, but push through without saying anything?

The conversation explores the tension between professionalism and vulnerability, especially for leaders. From past experiences navigating stress, health challenges, and high-performance environments, both Nicky and Heidi reflect on the cost of “gutting it out” and the impact it can have on individuals, teams, and culture.

This episode is a reminder that while we don’t have to share everything, there’s power in awareness, communication, and creating environments where people feel seen—not just for their performance, but for who they are

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