Let’s Talk Real Resilience: A Nurse’s Story of Overcoming Burnout

What if rock bottom wasn’t the end of your story, but the beginning of your comeback? In this episode of The GA Wellness Podcast, you’ll meet Michelle Gordon, a registered nurse and mum who went from stage twelve burnout and nightly wine to reclaiming her health, energy and freedom.

Michelle’s story is raw, real and proof that resilience isn’t about bouncing back overnight, it’s about repeating one small choice until it becomes part of you. From strength training to 15 minutes of quiet morning space, her shifts show how calm is built step by step.

📋 What we covered:

• Michelle’s journey as a nurse, mum and business owner.
• The spiral into stage twelve burnout and nightly alcohol use.
• The “Mummy, where are you?” moment that changed everything.
• First shifts: three real meals, gentle weights and daily structure.
• How lifting weights created calm instead of punishment.
• Claiming mornings by waking just 15 minutes earlier.
• The role of coaching, support and community in recovery.
• Transitioning from burnout survivor to nurse coach.
• A five-minute grounding practice to reset your nervous system.

🌟 Key takeaways:

• Resilience is built in repeatable choices.
• Calm often arrives when you slow down and change how you move.
• Fifteen quiet minutes can reset the course of a day.
• Support, coaching and community speed up the healing process.
• Your comeback starts with a decision.

🧰 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free Journal Prompt & Reflection: ✨Your Weekly Cuppa & Check-In #10☕https://gawellness.myflodesk.com/resilience
• Your personal companion to noticing, rewiring and celebrating small wins: Brain Rewire Habit Tracker https://gawellness.myflodesk.com/brain-rewire-tracker
• 1:1 Support Nervous System Reset: Book a curiosity chat https://calendly.com/garharidis/1-1-nervous-system-support-with-georgia
• Join the Facebook Community: The Balanced Bella Community 🌿https://www.facebook.com/groups/1465025104488400/
• Subscribe for Podcast Emails: Join the “Cuppa & Check-In” List https://gawellness.myflodesk.com/lbuqngff28
• Check out the show notes: Podcast.co https://pod.co/the-ga-wellness-podcast-with-georgia-ann
• Follow on Instagram: @gawellness https://www.instagram.com/gawellness/

🔁 Episodes referenced for deeper listening:

• E009: Learn → Try → Become
• E007: Habits & Neuroplasticity
• E008: The Myth of Balance (Seasons)

✍️ Cuppa & Check-In

This week’s gentle prompts:

→ Learn: What part of Michelle’s story landed with you most deeply?

→ Try: What is one small action you could repeat this week?

→ Become: How do you notice resilience growing in your daily choices?

📥 Download the free journal prompt and enjoy with your next cup of tea: https://gawellness.myflodesk.com/resilience

📱 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram:  @gawellness https://www.instagram.com/gawellness/
• Facebook Group: The Balanced Bella Community 🌿 Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1465025104488400/
• Website: Coming soon!

📲 Connect with Michelle:

• Instagram: @michellegordon_coach
• Facebook: The Healthy Happy nurse
• Email: [email protected]

🔔 Follow & Review:

If this episode spoke to you, lovely, please:

• Follow the podcast.
• Leave a quick review (it truly helps!)
• Share with a bestie who’s ready to reclaim wellness on her own terms.