Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan dive into the chaos of the new school year, sharing real talk about teacher stress, workload management, and the art of setting boundaries. From the great glue stick debate to meal prep hacks, delegation tips, and the infamous "do, delegate, delete, delay" mantra, this episode is packed with practical advice and plenty of laughs for teachers everywhere.

Whether you’re feeling the burnout already or just need a reminder to put yourself first, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to drop us a comment, rate us five stars, and share your own staff room stories!

Timestamps & chapters below 👇

00:00 - Welcome Back & New School Year Vibes

00:27 - Teacher Stress: Stats & Real Talk

01:41 - Workload Management: Boundaries & Burnout

06:29 - Meal Prep, Food Hacks & Surviving the Staff Room

09:52 - Shrinkflation, Snacks & The Great Glue Stick Debate

23:49 - Delegation, Teamwork & Teacher Training Gaps

27:09 - Classroom Chaos: Cupboards, Shared Drives & Offsted Myths

32:57 - Planning, Prioritizing & Saying No

35:46 - Final Thoughts: Do, Delegate, Delete, Delay

36:59 - Outro & Listener Shoutouts

The first week back should feel like a fresh start - but for most teachers, it’s where the burnout begins. Research shows 67% of teachers say their mental health declines significantly within the first seven days of term.

In this episode, Martin and Dan break down why the first week hits so hard: the new class that feels like 30 strangers, the pointless environment walks, the obsession with curly borders, the clipboard-brigade of observations, and the dreaded “wellbeing” badminton tournament at half four on a Friday.

It’s honest, raw, and a little bit ridiculous - but it’s also full of the real talk teachers need to hear. Because if you don’t put systems in place early, you risk being completely drained before October half-term even arrives.

Every teacher knows the Sunday night fear. But that first week back after summer? It’s like Sunday night fear… but worse.

In this episode, Martin and Dan unpack why back-to-school anxiety hits so hard - from worrying you’ve forgotten how to teach, to the chaos of brand-new classes, to the pressure of “being ready” when you’re anything but.

They share honest stories from the classroom, practical tips to ease the nerves, and why preparation doesn’t mean overworking yourself. If you’re dreading September, this one’s for you.

September is the real New Year for teachers.

The fresh stationery, the big plans, the “this term I’ll finally…” promises.

But here’s the problem: 83% of teachers drop their health goals by week three.

In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired, Martin and Dan dive into why habits collapse so quickly, the chaotic reality of teacher life (hello messy desktops and copy-of-copy Canva files 😂), and the simple systems that actually stick.

From meal prep hacks to the infamous “balloon” stress analogy, we’ll show you how to make September resolutions last longer than the first staff meeting biscuits.

Teachers give enough during term time - so why are so many still handing over ten hours a week of their summer for free?

In this episode, we dig into the hidden cost of “getting ahead” over the holidays, from laminating marathons to cupboard clear-outs that don’t last two weeks. We share our own wake-up calls - including the summers we finally stopped working - and how putting ourselves first made us better teachers, healthier humans, and actually happier to return in September.

If you’ve ever found yourself in school on a blazing hot August afternoon wondering why am I here?… this one’s for you.

In this episode, we dive into the guilt, burnout, and people-pleasing that haunts teachers all summer long. From laminating on holiday to buying IKEA baskets in July, we unpack why switching off feels so hard – and how school culture often rewards martyrdom over rest.

We talk about the pressure to prep, the fear of judgement from colleagues, and the myth that working in summer somehow buys you time back in the autumn (spoiler: it doesn’t). Whether you’re watching ECTs vlog their classrooms or battling a cupboard full of CDs from 2005, this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to earn your rest.

Teaching has never been harder — and if you’re stuck in the burnout loop, this episode is for you.

We tackle 3 of the biggest questions we get from teachers every week:

 ✅ Can I get fitter and lose weight without tracking everything?
 ✅ How do I break the all-or-nothing cycle with food and training?
 ✅ Is it even possible to change my routine when I’ve only got 20 minutes a day?

Whether you’re in the middle of a school term or trying to reset over the holidays, this is your no-fluff guide to:

 – Building better habits without tracking every bite
 – Escaping perfectionism and making real progress
 – Setting boundaries that actually give you your life back
– Creating change that lasts (even when your workload’s a joke)

What do you do when teaching has taken over your whole life… but you’re still smiling through it?
 In this brutally honest episode, Martin and Dan talk burnout, binge eating, toxic staffrooms, and what happens when you lose all your hobbies — and yourself - to the job.

We cover:
✅ That weird grey zone where you’re not “burnt out”… but you’re definitely not okay
✅ Emotional eating, post-school binges, and why you’re starving by 4pm
✅ Why “just get a hobby” isn’t helpful — and how to actually reclaim your identity
✅ The 5% of SLT who ruin it for everyone
✅ And yes… the Nutella in the bin moment

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t even know who I am outside of work anymore” - this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen, share it with your staffroom (unless it’s toxic), and drop us a message if it hit home.

Feeling stuck in the “I’ll start on Monday” cycle? You’re not alone.

In this brutally honest episode of Sir, You Look Tired, we dive into what’s really behind teacher burnout, weight gain, and why willpower isn’t the answer. 

From chaotic classrooms to exhausting behaviour battles, from impossible parent expectations to the guilt that keeps you up at night - we’re unpacking it all.

🎙️ Expect stories from the frontline, unfiltered wellbeing chat, and tips you can actually use.
👊 If you’re a teacher who’s sick of starting over every week, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired, we dive into real messages from real teachers who are running on biscuits, coffee, and fumes. From snapping at students to skipping meals and zoning out after school, we unpack the quiet signs of burnout - and why it's more common than you think.

We talk food habits, fatigue, and the myth of "just powering through." You’ll hear honest stories, hard-won advice, and simple ways to start feeling like yourself again - one lunchbox, walk, or “no” at a time.

Whether you're crawling to the end of term or already planning your September comeback, this one’s for you.