In the last episode, Bruno Cignacco and I explored psychological safety and why people perform better when they feel safe, respected, and supported.

In this episode, I mind-blended with Nika Brunet, founder of Calm Nest Collective, about the stress signals we learn to normalize, why burnout looks different for everyone, and how our environments quietly influence our energy, focus, and wellbeing.

Drawing from her experience in the events industry and her work designing neuro-inclusive spaces, Nika challenges the idea that wellbeing is solely an individual responsibility. Instead, she explores how better-designed workplaces and events can help people perform, recover, and connect more effectively.

We talked about:

• Why burnout rarely follows a predictable pattern
• The physical signs of stress that people often ignore
• How to recognize when something has changed in yourself
• Why many people need a break before they need a solution
• The hidden impact of sensory overload on performance and decision-making
• How designing for neurodivergent people often benefits everyone
• Why wellbeing and inclusion are business issues, not just personal ones

If you've ever felt exhausted without knowing exactly why, this conversation may help you see what you've stopped noticing

About Nika Brunet

Nika is an events industry veteran, specialised in neuroinclusive event consulting and event management, and sustainable workplace design. With 19 years of experience, she helps organisations create purposeful, inclusive, and impactful events and workplaces with a strong focus on sustainability and mental health. From mentoring purpose-driven professionals to designing sensory-friendly spaces through Calm Nest Collective, this is where bold visions find clarity and quiet spaces make a powerful difference.

You can connect with Nika on her website https://nikabrunet.com/,  Calm Nest Collective, LinkedIn and Instagram. She is also the host of Pink Nest Podcast.

Check out the previous episode with Dr. Bruno Cignacco about another aspect that hinder performance.

What resonated with you today? What topics or guests should we feature next? Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn @⁠Mind-Blend⁠, Instagram Mindblendpodcast or mindblendpodcast [@] gmail.com.

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