Most people think burnout is obvious. That you’ll feel it coming. The reality is, you don’t.

In this episode of the Optimising Human Performance Podcast, former police officer-turned burnout-prevention coach Zane McCormack shares the story of collapsing on the way to work after years of chronic stress, emotional overload, and running on fumes without realising it.

Zane explains why high performers are often the most vulnerable to burnout, how the warning signs slowly compound beneath the surface, and why many people only recognise the damage once their body forces them to stop.

This episode is especially valuable for leaders, high performers, emergency responders, parents, business owners and anyone who feels constantly switched on.

What You’ll Learn

• The five stages of burnout 
• Why burnout often affects capable, motivated people 
• Early warning signs most people ignore 
• How stress changes thinking, emotional regulation, and decision-making 
• The link between identity and overwork 
• Why recovery is more than just sleep 
• The importance of rest, relationships, and boundaries 
• How to build resilience before reaching the breaking point 
• 
  

Key Takeaways

• Burnout rarely happens overnight 
• High performers often push through warning signs for years 
• Chronic stress reduces resilience and problem-solving ability 
• Emotional regulation narrows during burnout 
• Rest is preventative, not just reactive 
• Relationships are a major protective factor 
• Sustainable performance requires recovery, boundaries, and identity outside work 

About Zane McCormack

Zane McCormack is a burnout prevention coach and trainer who previously served for 16 years with Devon and Cornwall Police. After experiencing severe burnout himself, he now works with individuals and organisations to improve resilience, recovery, and sustainable performance.

Resources

Learn more at Zane McCormack

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zane-mccormack-burnout-coach-resilience-trainer/ 

https://www.instagram.com/zane___mccormack/ 

Chapters

01:49 - The Collapse That Started Everything

03:42 - The Early Warning Signs

06:56 - Burnout Often Hides Until Something Unexpected Happens

08:07 - The Boiling Frog Effect of Stress

09:21 - “The People That Don’t Care Don’t Burn Out”

10:49 - Why Life Outside Work Matters More Than People Think

12:20 - What Was Stopping Him From Recovering Properly

14:01 - Ten Days Without Sleeping or Eating

14:47 - The Bridge Moment That Snapped Him Back

16:20 - Understanding That It Was Burnout, Not Just Trauma

17:05 - The Five Stages of Burnout Explained

22:16 - What To Do If You Recognise Yourself in This Episode

22:53 - The Seven Pillars of Recovery and Resilience

24:55 - Boundaries Between Work and Home

25:13 - Relationships as Protection Against Burnout

25:53 - Doomscrolling, Phones, and Hyperconnectivity

30:31 - Helping High Performers Before They Break

32:48 - Final Advice: Focus on Rest and Relationships

33:14 - Martin’s Closing Reflections on Burnout

About the Podcast

For more expert-led conversations delivering evidence-based strategies to help you perform, recover, and adapt in high-pressure environments, check out our website https://www.ophp.co.uk/

Hosted by Human Performance specialist, researcher, and educator Dr Martin Jones & former Royal Army Physical Training Corps Instructor-turned-academic Dr Jon Paul Nevin.

If you found this podcast valuable, please take a moment to rate, share & review. If you have feedback, guest suggestions or topics that you'd love us to cover, then do email us at [email protected] or connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ophp/ 

Production

Edited and produced by Bess Manley

Thanks for listening to Optimising Human Performance.

This podcast is for people who can’t afford to fail. Each episode gives you practical, evidence‑based tools you can apply in the real world.

For more about the podcast, speaking, coaching, and mentoring, visit:

www.ophp.co.uk

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Instagram: @ophumanperformance

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