Katie McDonald was a top international sales exec at Time Inc. She ran on hustle and high standards until her body finally said “no.” One missed meeting became a breaking point, the first crack in a life built on proving her worth through achievement. What followed was a serious health crisis with ulcerative colitis, shingles, asthma, depression and a moment where she wondered if she could keep going. With the steady support of her psychiatrist husband, she chose to heal instead. That choice would change everything and eventually become the heart of b.nourished.

Healing didn’t happen overnight. Katie turned the same drive she once used for her career toward understanding herself. Out of that came her “Will Manual,” a personal guide for living in a way that feels honest and sustainable. She learned that thriving isn’t about being perfect or “balanced” instead it’s about taking responsibility for your wellbeing, every day, in small, doable ways. Today, through a six-month coaching program, she helps high achievers pause the cycle of self-neglect and rebuild self-trust. Her style is straightforward but deeply kind. She calls out guilt, martyrdom, and the habit of overfunctioning, while teaching people to notice what they need, keep tiny promises to themselves, and set up their lives to support their health.

In our conversation we talk about how our culture glorifies busyness, why real change takes time, and what happens when you start “studying yourself.” Katie shares how the b.nourished planner works as a daily ritual to reconnect with your own wisdom. Her message is simple and powerful. Self-care isn’t indulgent, it’s the groundwork for clear thinking, meaningful contribution, and genuine joy.

Episode Highlights: 

• [03:00] Katie recalls her former life as a high-performing international sales executive who believed self-sacrifice equaled success until missing one meeting became her breaking point.
• [06:00] She reflects on how family conditioning and a “doer” mentality led her to ignore her body’s signals until her health collapsed.
• [09:00] Facing severe illness and suicidal thoughts, she chose to leave corporate life, focus on healing, and eventually conceived her son during her recovery.
• [12:00] Katie describes rebuilding her identity, first through perfectionist motherhood, then through self-study that led to her “Will Manual.”
• [15:00] She explains how experimenting with small, compassionate habits like better sleep and hydration transformed her life and later her coaching method.
• [17:00] We discuss interrupting self-neglect, reframing guilt, and viewing self-care as a collective responsibility.
• [19:00] We explore how rebuilding self-trust begins with keeping small promises to oneself.
• [21:00] Katie emphasizes that the relationship we have with ourselves is the foundation for all others.
• [22:00] She describes how her tough-love approach helps clients move beyond martyrdom and perfectionism toward sustainable self-leadership.
• [24:00] Katie details her concierge coaching style that looks at clients’ environments, routines, and mindset holistically.
• [26:40] The whole-person approach and the six-month b.nourished program.
• [27:15] Katie explains why true transformation requires time, discomfort, and persistence through the “messy middle.”
• [30:00] She encourages clients to ask, “What do I need?” and listen for honest answers as the basis of change.
• [31:20] We discuss how striving for balance is a myth and that acceptance of life’s shifts reduces suffering.
• [32:14] Katie describes how self-care can disrupt relationships as people resist change, and why pushback is a sign of progress.
• [34:12] She shares a client story illustrating how resentment reveals self-neglect and how boundaries create healthier dynamics.
• [36:23] Katie introduces the concept of a personal “Womanual,” a guide for understanding and honoring your needs.
• [37:03] Her first exercise was making tea in silence which taught presence and self-connection.
• [38:32] We discuss the b.nourished Planner, a tangible tool for intentional living and daily self-study.

Resources & Links: 

• Seekers Field Guide
• Seekers Field Guide Community
• 15% Off Planners Using Code SEEKERS
• B.nourished
• Katie McDonald
• Katie McDonald - Instagram
• Katie McDonald - LinkedIn