Why does burnout creep in, even when we love what we do? How can we spot the early warning signs?

In this episode of My Emotional Work Life, Jennifer talks with coach and breathwork practitioner Mia Walker about burnout, boundaries, and self-care in demanding roles. Mia shares her journey from high-pressure humanitarian work, to helping people navigate life’s turning points that can leave us drained and disconnected.

Together, they explore what burnout really looks like, and why it’s not a personal failure but a signal. With the right awareness and support, it’s possible to reset, reconnect, and feel like yourself again.

Here are the highlights

1. Do you know the warning signs your body and mind give before burnout hits?
2. What are your personal ‘tells’ that stress is becoming dangerous?
3. Why do small triggers sometimes make you explode and what is that really telling you?
4. What’s in your personal ‘burnout emergency kit’?
5. Is your workplace fueling burnout or protecting you from it?
6. Could reconnecting with others be the key to recovering from burnout?
7. How do you help someone through burnout without losing yourself in the process?

Have a go at breathwork with Mia and Jen here:

https://vimeo.com/1142401691?fl=ip&fe=ec

A note from Jen: I invite you explore the videos alongside these episodes whilst taking full responsibility for your health and wellbeing. EFT and breathwork are both fantastic self help tools. Neither are a substitution for seeking professional advice. If you are concerned about your physical or mental health please consult a qualified medical professional. If you would prefer to explore either with a practitioner, get in touch with Mia or I.

Meet your host Jennifer McCanna:

Jennifer McCanna has been coaching leaders in organisations around the world since 2011. From the UN Refugee Agency to HSBC, government departments to national and local charities, she specialises in supporting clients to work through the often messy, emotional challenges of leadership so they feel calm, energised and able to have a real impact in the world.

If you’ve experienced a challenging relationship, restructure or other difficult period in your working life, and as a result your self-belief has taken a hit, Jennifer’s blend of pure coaching, emotional freedom technique and Resilience Dynamic® approaches will help you process the emotional fallout, as well as equipping you with tools to stay energised and effective as a leader.

Connect with Jennifer:

Download free resources from Jen at Resources and Insights | Jen McCanna

Explore more about Jen and her coaching services here Effective, Trusted Leadership Coaching | Jen McCanna

Follow her on LinkedIn here Jennifer McCanna PCC | LinkedIn

And on Instagram here Jen McCanna ⚡️Leadership Coach ⚡️EFT (@jen_the_leadership_coach) • Instagram photos and videos

About Mia Walker:

Mia is an ex-aid-worker turned coach and breath work practitioner who helps capable people through life’s big, unchosen transitions - the kind that knocks you sideways while the world still expects you to turn up for work on Monday. She supports clients through grief, unexpected caring responsibilities, health upheavals, breakups, burnout, and all the other moments that turn life inside out.

She’s been doing this work for years, and not just professionally. Life has kindly (and repeatedly) offered her the “full sampler platter” of major transitions - which means she knows, in her bones, what it’s like to function through chaos while still doing the school run.

She helps people who are holding everything together on the outside actually feel okay on the inside - by bringing mind, body and breath back into the same room. Because what might become possible if you felt like yourself again?

You can access her gift four-week mini-course, The Practical Guide to Navigating Burnout, here.

Connect with Mia:

Website: www.changefoundry.org.uk