Most high performers are running at 50% capacity and they have no idea.

In this episode, Michelle J. Howe (CPA, strategy consultant & founder of

Empath Evolution) breaks down why the most driven, successful leaders are

quietly burning out, leaking energy in every direction, and operating far

below their true potential.

If you've ever felt like you're achieving on the outside but something's

off on the inside — this conversation will name exactly what's happening.

🔑 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

✅ Why high achievers are the hardest people to help — and the most in need

✅ The "50% lights" test: are you actually showing up fully in your life?

✅ How saying YES to too many things quietly depletes your energy and focus

✅ The morning smile test — the simplest way to self-diagnose burnout

✅ Why it took Michelle 4 years to fix what could've taken 1 (and what that costs YOU)

✅ How to identify your blind spots before they cost you years of your life

✅ The surprising link between emotional intelligence and personal finances

✅ How to deal with the negative, grumpy person in your life (without losing yourself)

✅ Why "if it's not a HELL YES, it's a no" is the most underrated life rule

Episode Chapters

00:00 — Welcome & Michelle's introduction

01:13 — From structured high achiever to inner conflict: Michelle's story

04:46 — Why accounting felt too transactional — the pivot to emotional intelligence

07:20 — How having kids completely changes how you show up at work

08:38 — Pre vs. post-COVID: what changed for high performers

09:47 — The ideal client profile: who needs this kind of work

12:41 — The 4-year journey that could've been 1 (the cost of no mentor)

15:27 — The mirror moment: "Who is Michelle?" and finding your blind spots

17:34 — Why saying YES to everything is silently destroying your focus

18:34 — The illusion that you can do it all — and where it really comes from

20:39 — Type A vs. Type B: practical ways to slow down and be more present

21:07 — The morning smile test: a brutally honest self-diagnosis tool

23:07 — How to handle the chronically negative person in your life

26:15 — The #1 obstacle to getting help (and why most people never take it)

26:36 — Emotional intelligence + personal finances: the unexpected connection

30:04 — How to connect with Michelle & work with her

🔗 CONNECT WITH MICHELLE J. HOWE

🌐 Website: https://www.empathevolution.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejhowe/

📲 FOLLOW MyFinJourney

🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/myfinjourney/id1815511353

🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UmpEcnU2Z0UxxDuvenmNx

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my.finjourney

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mustafa-ladha/

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