In this powerful episode of Scale Without Chaos, Samantha Riel sits down with Freya Ward, Global Growth Director at Headley Media, to talk about the unspoken pressures facing women in leadership. Together, they explore how burnout has been mistaken for commitment, why many women start their careers without boundaries, and how overachievement is often celebrated to a fault.

They share personal stories, discuss how to break the cycle, and offer practical strategies for setting boundaries, redefining success, and building a sustainable path to leadership. This is a must-listen for any woman climbing the ladder—or any leader building a better workplace.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why burnout is not a badge of honor—and what to do instead

• How overachievement gets rewarded early, and why that’s a problem

• The unspoken expectations women feel to “earn their seat”

• How to set boundaries early in your career (and why it’s harder later)

• The power of female mentorship and community

• Why women sometimes feel like there’s only “room for one” at the top—and how we change that

• Tactical ways to break the cycle and lead more sustainably

🎧 Listen now