Burnout isn’t just about being tired. In this episode of Authentically Cyber, I sit down with Kim Mansour, Founder and Coach at Three Worlds Coaching, to talk about what burnout actually looks like—especially in technology and cybersecurity—and why so many people don’t recognize it until they’re deep in it.

Kim shares her journey from software engineering to career coaching, along with real insight into the difference between stress and burnout, early warning signs to watch for, and why so many people stay in roles where they’re unhappy.

We also talk about how to start taking back control, why venting can actually be helpful, and simple ways like writing things down to better understand what you’re feeling. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re just stressed… or something more, this conversation is for you.

0:00 Introduction

1:43 From software engineering to career coach

5:06 Burnout in careers

6:13 Burnout in technology (especially cybersecurity)

7:33 Burnout vs. stress

12:10 Early warning signs of burnout

15:30 Unhappiness and signals of burnout

18:38 Why people stay in jobs they’re unhappy in

22:24 Tips for taking back control

24:54 Why venting helps

28:00 Writing out your thoughts

29:05 Who burns out quickly?

34:40 First steps to dealing with burnout