Self-sabotage isn’t a personal flaw. It’s your nervous system doing its best to keep you safe.

In this whole new episode of #FRIEDguides, Cait Donovan and Sarah Vosen take a closer look at why so many people feel like they’re getting in their own way during burnout recovery. What if those moments where you fall back into old habits aren’t failures, but signals that your body is overwhelmed and reaching for something familiar? What if the behavior you’re judging is actually trying to protect you?

Cait and Sarah break down how our nervous systems react to change, why recovery often feels messy, and how shame can make everything harder. Instead of trying to push through with force, they talk about how to meet yourself with compassion, curiosity, and a little more patience.

They also get personal. Cait shares her ongoing relationship with sugar and the deep-rooted comfort it represents. It’s a reminder that coping strategies aren’t always the problem. Sometimes they’re part of the process.

If you’ve ever wondered why change feels so hard, or why you can’t seem to stick with “good” habits, this conversation will help you see things in a new light. Recovery is a dance. You’re allowed to take small steps, shift directions, and give yourself grace along the way.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

03:04 Why Cait and Sarah Don’t Believe in Self-Sabotage

05:00 The Nervous System’s Role in Familiar Behaviors

07:04 Shame, Judgment, and the Myth of Failure

09:27 Coping Mechanisms and What They’re Really Doing

10:41 Burnout Recovery as a Non-Linear Process

13:21 Listening to Your Body and Meeting Yourself with Compassion

22:05 Redefining Progress and Practicing Gentleness Along the Way

Links

Burnout isn’t a personal failure or a lack of resilience. It’s a signal that something in the system, expectations, roles, pace, or support, is out of alignment. Conversations like this one help surface the human experience of burnout, while the broader work continues to explore how organizations can respond more intelligently and sustainably.



To explore burnout, leadership, and sustainable performance through a workplace and organizational lens, connect with Cait Donovan: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: 

https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-minute reel: 

https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm