If you’re a capable, high-achieving woman whose life looks fine on paper — successful career, family, responsibilities managed — but inside it feels heavy… this conversation is for you.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that what used to “work” for your body and energy doesn’t seem to land anymore. The early starts, the pushing through, the all-or-nothing health kicks. And now you’re left feeling frustrated, tired, and quietly wondering why you can’t just get a grip.

Let me gently reassure you: you are not broken. You are likely overloaded — hormonally, mentally, emotionally. In this episode of The Thrive bright podcast with Dr SaraLou, I’m joined by women’s fitness coach Kat Williams to explore a more compassionate approach to movement, strength, and wellbeing in midlife. One that doesn’t rely on willpower, perfectionism, or punishing routines — but on rhythm, consistency, and self-trust.

This is about working with your nervous system, not against it.

Inside this episode

• Why chasing willpower keeps high-achieving women stuck in the start-again cycle

• What “consistency” really means when you’re time-poor and mentally loaded

• The power of one small non-negotiable (and why messy action is enough)

• How perfectionism and comparison quietly sabotage your wellbeing

• Why rest is not indulgent — it’s foundational for resilience, hormones, and strength

• How creating rhythm (not restriction) rebuilds confidence and self-trust

If you’ve been waiting for life to calm down before you start looking after yourself, I hope this episode feels like a gentle hand on your back.

Press play. Take a breath. Let yourself consider the possibility that you don’t need a dramatic overhaul — just one small, supportive step in the direction of the woman you’re becoming.

If you’d like a gentle starting point, I’ve created a free guide to help you untangle overwhelm without adding more pressure:

5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm
👉 https://drsaralouwylie.com/5-ways-to-beat-overwhelm

It’s not a fix. It’s a first step. A way to begin creating steadiness in a full life.

Stay in touch

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @drsaralouwylie @coachkathrynwilliams

Disclaimer

This podcast episode is shared for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or care. If you are concerned about your mental or physical health, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.

Life can look full, successful, even enviable on the outside — yet feel heavy, exhausting, and quietly unsustainable on the inside. You may be holding everything together, leading, deciding, caring, achieving… and still feel like something is missing, or costing you more than it should.

If that resonates, I want you to hear this first: you are not broken. You are responding to years of pressure, expectation, and self-sacrifice — and that matters.

Inside This Episode

In this episode, I’m introducing you to the next chapter of this podcast and the deeper work it represents. The Thrive Bright Podcast is an invitation to explore how we live life differently — moving away from survival and burnout, and towards a life that feels aligned, resourced, and genuinely good.

In this episode, we gently explore:

• Why so many high-achieving women feel exhausted and depleted despite “doing everything right”

• The hidden costs of success that’s built on self-sacrifice and constant pushing

• What it means to move from surviving to thriving — on your terms

Free Resource: A Gentle First Step

If this episode resonates and you’d like a calm place to begin, you’re warmly invited to download my free guide:

 5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm
 https://drsaralouwylie.com/5-ways-to-beat-overwhelm

This isn’t a fix — it’s a supportive first step towards understanding your overwhelm and reconnecting with yourself.

How to Stay in Touch

 Email: [email protected]
 Instagram: @drsaralouwylie

If this episode stirred something for you, you’re very welcome to reach out and share what landed.

Disclaimer

This podcast episode is shared for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or care. If you are concerned about your mental or physical health, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.

Have you ever wondered why — despite all your insight, awareness, and effort — you still feel stuck in overwhelm or burnout?

In this episode of The Overwhelm Edit, we explore one of the most common (and misunderstood) experiences of high‑achieving women: doing everything right and still not feeling better.

This is a deeply reassuring, explanatory episode — not about fixing yourself or trying harder, but about understanding what’s really happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why insight and self-awareness alone don’t automatically create change

• How years of pushing through shape your nervous system

• Why rest, calm, and confidence can feel unsafe after long-term overwhelm

• The hidden reason high-achieving women struggle to apply what they know

• The difference between having information and being able to live it

• What actually helps change begin — gently, safely, and sustainably

Key takeaway:

If you feel stuck, it’s not because you’re failing or doing something wrong.

It’s because your nervous system hasn’t yet learned that it’s safe to live differently.

Real change doesn’t come from trying harder — it comes from supported integration, safety, and taking small steps forward with guidance.

Resources mentioned:

 Free guide: 5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm

A gentle, practical starting point for creating more calm, clarity, and capacity — without pressure or perfectionism.

Connect with Dr SaraLou

Instagram: @drsaralouwylie
Email: [email protected]

This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Listening to this episode does not establish a coaching, medical, or therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing significant mental health difficulties or distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or your GP.

In this opening episode of 2026, we’re not here to fix, diagnose, or motivate.

This episode is an invitation to pause, to soften, and to understand what’s been happening — without blame.

If life looks good on paper but feels heavy…
If you’re capable, responsible, high-achieving — and exhausted in a way rest doesn’t touch…
If you’ve been quietly wondering “What’s wrong with me?”

This episode is for you.

Rather than offering another solution or strategy, we explore a gentler truth:
you didn’t fail — you were inside a perfect storm.

A collision of high responsibility, unmet needs, and internal pressure that would challenge anyone.

Inside this episode, we explore:

• Why overwhelm and burnout aren’t personal failures

• How high-functioning burnout often hides in plain sight

• Why “just resting” doesn’t bring relief when the nervous system is overloaded

• Burnout as communication, not collapse

• How understanding creates space for healing — without urgency or pressure

This is a place to feel seen, to breathe, and to remember that you’re not broken — and you’re not alone.

NEXT STEPS

If it feels supportive, you’re very welcome to explore this work further.

You can download my free guide “5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm”, which shares simple, grounding practices to help you feel calmer and more resourced in daily life:
 Download the free guide: https://drsaralouwylie.com/5-ways-to-beat-overwhelm

And if you’d like to continue listening, you can explore more episodes of The Overwhelm Edit podcast, where we talk honestly about burnout, overwhelm, and nervous-system-led healing — with science and soul.

This podcast is shared for educational and supportive purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. If you are experiencing significant distress or mental health concerns, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or your GP. Always consult an appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Your wellbeing has the power to create a beautiful ripple effect. It’s the foundation for your quality of life, your presence with loved ones, and your capability at work — and it’s the fuel for the ripple effect you create in the world.

In this episode, I share why it matters so deeply for women in high-responsibility, heart-led roles — doctors, academics, leaders, community builders — to be well-resourced, and why it’s the opposite of selfishness to prioritise your needs.

You’ll hear:

• Why self-care is not indulgence but essential

• The ripple effect of a well-resourced woman at home, at work, and in the world

• How your wellbeing impacts your leadership, creativity, and purpose

• A powerful reframing for the inner critic that tells you it’s selfish to rest

• Practical ideas to calm your nervous system so you can show up at your best

📌 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Download my free guide 5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm.

• Learn more about Thrive Together

Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your physical or mental health.

Episode 9: When Summer Doesn’t Feel Like a Break: Burnout, Invisible Labour & Why You’re Still So Tired

If summer was supposed to be the season you finally exhaled, but instead you're feeling more burnt out than ever, this episode is for you.

We’re pulling back the curtain on what’s really going on during this season of supposed ease — from the invisible labour so many women carry, to why your nervous system still feels constantly "on." If you're feeling snappy, struggling to be present, or like you're missing the moments you longed for… you're not alone.

In this episode, Dr. SaraLou dives into:

• Why summer burnout is a real phenomenon (and not your fault)

• The internal and external pressures high-achieving women face — even when out of office

• The nervous system lens: why you can’t just “switch off”

• Small but powerful ways to begin restoring calm and presence this week

• A reminder that you don’t have to do this alone

✨ Plus, she shares a practical, free resource: 5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm — a beautiful, science-backed guide to help you feel more grounded, today.

📩 Dr. SaraLou always loves to hear from listeners — drop her a DM on Instagram @drsaralouwylie or an email to share your reflections.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not therapy or medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for working with a qualified professional.

In this final episode of The Overwhelm Edit Season 1, we’re diving into three simple yet powerful habits that my one-to-one clients have found life-changing in their journey to feeling less overwhelmed and more in control.

These habits may seem small, but don’t underestimate their impact! In this episode, I share:
✔️ The surprising trick to stop self-sabotaging your sleep and finally feel well-rested.
✔️ A simple way to transition smoothly between work and home life (so you can be fully present in both).
✔️ Why just 10 minutes of movement can act like a bubble bath for your brain—resetting stress and boosting clarity.

If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, constantly distracted, or stuck in a cycle of exhaustion, these practical shifts could be exactly what you need. Give them a try and see how they transform your daily life!

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling with your mental health or wellbeing, please seek support from a qualified professional.

Hello my lovely, and welcome to this episode!

Today, I’m sharing three simple yet powerful tips that my one-to-one clients are finding incredibly impactful—practical strategies that will help you move past procrastination, boost your productivity, and feel capable at work again.

If you ever find yourself staring at a to-do list, feeling overwhelmed and stuck in a cycle of overthinking, then this episode is for you. We’ll break down:

✔️ The Pomodoro Technique – How to use time-blocking to make overwhelming tasks feel manageable.
✔️ The Brain Dump Method – A powerful way to clear your mental load and prioritise with confidence.
✔️ Celebrating Your Wins – Why acknowledging progress (big or small) is the secret to lasting motivation.

You don’t have to stay stuck in procrastination or let burnout steal your confidence. These tips are designed to help you take small, achievable steps forward—starting today!

I’d love to hear how these work for you! Tag me on Instagram @drsaralouwylie or send me an email to share your wins. Let’s celebrate your progress together!

🎧 Next Episode: Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share even more client-approved strategies for creating healthy habits, increasing resilience, and reducing overwhelm.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or other professional advice.

Episode Summary
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the topic of boundaries—what they are, why they matter, and how they can be a transformative tool for growth and freedom. Boundaries often feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but they are essential for creating space to thrive and sustain personal growth. Dr. SaraLou guides you through understanding boundaries as a way to nurture your energy, manage your time, and communicate your needs effectively.

This episode covers:

• What boundaries are and why they’re important.
• Practical steps to identify your needs and set clear boundaries.
• Managing the emotions that arise when asking for what you need.
• How to communicate boundaries without fear of inconvenience.
• Holding yourself accountable to maintain boundaries, even when life doesn’t go as planned.
• A compassionate approach to setting boundaries that foster growth while allowing for flexibility.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure how to advocate for yourself, this episode provides actionable tools and mindset shifts to help you set and maintain boundaries that work for you.

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or therapy. If you are experiencing significant emotional distress or challenges that feel beyond your capacity to manage, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional for support.

Welcome to The Overwhelm Edit, where we dive deep into tools, strategies, and insights to help you rewrite your story of burnout and overwhelm. In this episode, we're tackling a key topic: self-compassion.

Let’s be honest: self-compassion doesn’t always come naturally. Many of us feel undeserving of our own kindness. We think we should have done more, been better, achieved something else by now.

But here’s the truth: self-compassion isn’t something you have to earn. It’s something you can practise—even if your inner voice is full of “shoulds.”

And the benefits? They’re incredible. When you can meet yourself with compassion (especially in tough moments), it shifts everything—from the way you process stress to the way you speak to yourself when things go wrong.

If you’re finding it hard to even begin creating space for self-compassion have a look at my burnout and overwhelm coaching.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health or well-being.