I know what it’s like to look “successful” on the outside while feeling completely flat on the inside—because I’ve been there.

In this episode of The Happy Stack Podcast, I’m breaking down the reality of high-functioning burnout: the kind that doesn’t leave you curled up in bed but keeps you in overdrive while your joy quietly disappears.

We’ll unpack the biological toll of pushing through chronic stress, the warning signs you might be ignoring, and the small, powerful shifts that will help you reclaim energy, connection, and meaning—without burning it all down.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse—it can look like constant overdrive

Chronic stress without recovery floods your body with cortisol and dulls joy

High-functioning burnout often costs you relationships, creativity, and fulfillment

Redefining success can mean prioritizing rest and nervous system safety

Practical steps to shift: Name what’s real, redefine success, focus on output not hours, add joy reps, strengthen boundaries, and seek support early

Links and Resources:

Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/

The Happy Stack Newsletter: https://happystack.substack.com/

Success Takes Courage Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Success-Takes-Courage-Inside-Out-Achievement-ebook/dp/B0BKWNT142

If this episode hit a little too close to home, don’t wait for the crash—share this with someone else in high gear, subscribe to the pod, and take one small step today to protect your energy and joy.

You don’t need to abandon your goals to take care of yourself—you just need to start from where you are.