The sentence that broke the spell

There’s a moment that lives in my body like a bruise you can’t quite forget.

I’m at my desk on the last day before a long weekend. The company just wrapped a successful fundraising season. People are celebrating. I’m plugging away, doing what I always did—keeping the machine moving.

And I overhear a conversation that changes everything.

The CEO asks my boss how the celebration lunch went.

My boss mentions the names of the attendees, including my name.

And the CEO says:

“Why was Jenn Fast there?”

Not Who is Jenn? (Bad enough, but somehow not as bad.)

Not Oh, great—Jenn was there.

Just… why was I there.

In that one sentence, I realized something I’d been trying not to know: after decades of doing everything hustle culture told me to do—being reliable, being indispensable, being the person who handled it—I was still invisible.

And my body was done negotiating.

If you’ve ever had a moment like that—where something small makes the whole truth impossible to ignore—this letter is for you.

Because the truth is: burnout doesn’t always show up as a dramatic collapse. Sometimes it shows up as a quiet, devastating clarity.

If you want the full story in my voice, press play on Episode 1 above.If you’d rather read first, keep going—I’ll walk you through the three posts that set the foundation for this comeback season.

If you’re new here (welcome)

The Comeback Letter is a weekly note for women rebuilding after burnout and life transitions—when you’re functioning on the outside, but you feel untethered on the inside.

No hustle. No perfection. No “just wake up earlier” energy.

Just honest stories, practical resets, and permission to start small.

And today, I’m doing something simple: I’m giving you the three posts that set the foundation for this entire comeback season—so you can read them in order, at your pace.

Think of this as your Start Here path—three reads, in order, whenever you have capacity.

Also: this edition pairs with Episode 1 of The Comeback Show (included above), where I tell the full story behind that sentence and the myths I had to unlearn to survive.

The 3 posts that explain everything (in order)

1) The moment I knew I had to change (Clarity in Action)

“Why I Walked Away from a Six-Figure Biotech Career (and What I Found on the Other Side)”

This is the post where I tell the truth about the moment I stopped trying to “push through” and started listening to what my body had been saying for years.

It’s not a “quit your job and follow your dreams” story.

It’s a “my life was incompatible with my health” story.

Read it here: https://jfriedmanfast.com/2025/12/09/why-i-walked-away-from-a-six-figure-biotech-career-and-what-i-found-on-the-other-side/

2) The hustle culture lies I believed (Authentic Productivity)

“Hustle Culture Lies: The Productivity Myths That Almost Destroyed Me”

This is the backbone of Episode 1—and honestly, it’s the post I wish I could send back in time to the version of me who thought exhaustion was proof of worth.

In it, I name the myths that kept me trapped:

* that doing more makes you more valuable

* that rest has to be earned

* that perfectionism is a virtue

* that you have to perform busyness to be taken seriously

If you’ve been living under any of those rules, I want you to know: you’re not weak. You were trained.

Read it here: https://jfriedmanfast.com/2025/12/15/hustle-culture-lies-the-productivity-myths-that-almost-destroyed-me/

3) The mindset shifts that rebuilt my self-trust (Empowered Mindset)

“The Blueprint for Burnout Recovery: 5 Mindset Shifts That Rebuilt My Self-Trust”

This is the “okay, but what now?” post.

Because insight is powerful… but it doesn’t automatically rebuild your life. Self-trust gets rebuilt through small decisions you keep.

This post is the beginning of the framework I teach inside The Comeback Collective—and it’s designed to help you stop living in survival mode without needing a dramatic overhaul.

Read it here: https://jfriedmanfast.com/2025/12/19/the-blueprint-for-burnout-recovery-5-mindset-shifts-that-rebuilt-my-self-trust/

A small reset (no journaling required)

Before you click away, try this:

What’s the hustle-culture rule you’re still living under—without realizing it?

Just name it. That’s it.

Naming it is how you start loosening its grip.

For me, it was: “If I’m not producing, I’m failing.”What’s yours?

If you want to, hit reply with your answer. One sentence is enough. I read every reply.

A community win (because small wins count here)

Starting next week, I’m going to feature tiny comeback wins—because “I took a nap” and “I asked for help” and “I didn’t spiral today” are not small things when you’re rebuilding.

If you want to be featured, reply with:

* your win (tiny is welcome)

* your season (survival / recovery / rebuild)

* name or anonymous

Coming up next week

After January 1, we begin something new.

I’m starting a quiet, month-by-month reset series—one supportive bundle at a time—designed for women rebuilding after burnout and life transitions. No pressure to keep up, no dramatic overhauls… just steadier footing and one doable next step when you’re ready.

In the meantime, I hope you get a peaceful close to 2025. I’m really glad you’re here.After January 1, we’ll start building—gently, one doable step at a time.— Jenn

Note: This newsletter shares personal experience and educational information. It isn’t medical, mental health, or professional advice.

Episode 1 quick guide (timestamps):

00:00 Introduction: A Moment of Clarity00:35 Welcome to The Comeback Show01:15 The Reality of Hustle Culture02:13 The Breaking Point02:58 The Decision to Leave04:18 The Aftermath and New Beginnings05:41 Debunking Hustle Culture Myths07:32 Acknowledging Privilege and Offering Support08:37 Engage with The Comeback Collective

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit comebackletter.substack.com