If you've been running on empty and calling it productivity, this episode is for you.

This week, I sit down with Sophia Mikelionis, founder of Gearing Together, for a raw and refreshing conversation about burnout — what it really is, why so many high-achieving women (especially women of color and working moms) are quietly living in it, and what it actually takes to come back to yourself.

Spoiler: it's not a spa day.

In this episode, we cover:

→ Why burnout isn't just exhaustion — it's a misalignment between your energy and your values

→ Sophia's personal experience climbing the corporate ladder and hitting a wall she couldn't ignore

→ The tiny habits that helped her reconnect with herself — and that she now teaches her clients

→ How to spot the early warning signs of burnout before it takes over (including one question you should be able to answer every week)

→ What self-leadership really means — and why you can't pour into others until you have your own non-negotiables in place

A few signs you might be closer to burnout than you think:

• You romanticize how busy you are
• You feel emotionally flat, even when good things happen
• You can't name one thing you've done for yourself this week

Sophia's approach is practical, compassionate, and deeply grounded — this is the kind of conversation that makes you want to pause, reflect, and make one small change today.

Connect with Sophia:

Join her challenge: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1822129/sites/170770632504510223/ub33JG

Website: https://www.gearingtogether.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GearingTogether

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-mike/

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout is a misalignment of energy and values, not just stress or fatigue
• Self-sacrifice has limits — long-term, it pulls you away from yourself
• Small, consistent habits are more sustainable than waiting for a big life reset
• You have to lead yourself before you can truly lead anyone else
• Real self-care means making choices that align with who you actually are

#Burnout #SelfCare #SelfLeadership #WomenOfColor #WorkingMoms #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #TheIndependentMomPodcast

Connect with Arielle

Website: https://arielledeane.com/

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