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  • Why Success Still Feels Empty: Hustle Culture, Burnout, and Alienation
    Jan 22 2026

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    Hustle culture promises success, motivation, and upward momentum — but for many high performers, it quietly delivers burnout, disconnection, and identity loss.

    In this episode of Hustle Rebels, we explore the concept of alienation — originally outlined by Karl Marx — not as a political ideology, but as a diagnostic lens for understanding why driven, capable people can feel so disconnected even when they’re “winning.”

    This is not an anti-capitalism episode.
    This is not a rejection of ambition, competition, or hustle.

    It’s a deeper examination of what happens to humans inside large, high-performance systems when output is prioritized over ownership, pace, connection, and identity.

    We break down the four forms of alienation and how they show up in modern work culture:

    • Alienation from the product (why creating without ownership feels empty)
    • Alienation from the process of labor (how lack of control and constant urgency dysregulates the nervous system)
    • Alienation from others (why “team culture” can still feel unsafe and isolating)
    • Alienation from self (how identity slowly collapses under survival-based performance)

    Renae also shares a deeply personal story from her time as a firefighter — how working 60–80 hours a week in a system that didn’t prioritize wellbeing led not just to burnout, but to an identity crisis so severe it included passive suicidal thoughts. This conversation connects the dots between overwork, disconnection, and the quiet loss of self that so many high performers experience but rarely name.

    We also discuss the role of leadership in interrupting alienation — why you don’t need to burn your career down to create change, and how small, daily leadership decisions can restore safety, trust, and agency within teams.

    ⚠️ Content Note

    This episode includes a brief mention of passive suicidal thoughts. There are no graphic details. Please listen with care.

    If this episode brings up difficult feelings, support is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you’re outside the U.S., please reach out to local emergency services or trusted mental health resources.

    What’s Coming Next

    • Guest conversations coming very soon
    • A free 3-day webinar focused on stepping out of survival mode

    Support the show

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    FREE RESOURCES:

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

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    27 Min.
  • How To Stop Giving Away Your Best Ideas
    Jan 15 2026

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    If you’ve ever been praised instead of paid, asked to “just help out,” or watched your ideas show up later without your name on them — this episode is for you.

    In this episode of Hustle Rebels, we break down how hustle culture normalizes overworking, unpaid labor, and the quiet exploitation of talent — and why so many driven, capable people keep overgiving without realizing the cost.

    This isn’t an anti-work rant or a motivation talk. It’s a reality check.

    We talk about:

    • Why being praised instead of compensated is often cost control, not appreciation
    • How hustle culture conditions people to tie their worth to productivity
    • Why overworking feels “normal” — and who actually profits from it
    • Real examples of unpaid labor, stolen ideas, and exploitation in professional and creative spaces

    And by the end of the episode, you’ll walk away with three grounded ways to start protecting your time, ideas, and energy — without quitting your job, burning bridges, or becoming cynical.

    If the grind stopped working for you, but the system keeps demanding more, you’re in the right place.

    👉 Burn the Blueprint
    A 4-week, self-paced identity reset for people done running on conditioning they never consented to.
    https://burn-the-blueprint.my.canva.site/

    👉 Subscribe & Stay Connected
    Subscribe for upcoming episodes and guest conversations on hustle culture, burnout, identity, and what success actually costs.

    Support the show

    Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2560329/supporters/new

    FREE RESOURCES:

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    CONNECT ON SOCIALS:

    LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

    Websitehttps://www.waywardwellnesscoaching.org

    Instagramhttps://instagram.com/waywardwellnesscoaching

    Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching-61566792351111/



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    18 Min.
  • Calm Feels Uncomfortable: Why Hustle Feels Safe and Rest Feels Risky
    Jan 8 2026

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    What if your body treats calm like a threat — and a full calendar like safety?

    We open the hood on why quiet moments feel uneasy, why a clear calendar can spike anxiety, and how hustle sneaks in as a substitute for safety. This isn’t a willpower problem or an ambition problem. It’s a nervous system pattern that equates urgency with worth — and once you see it, you can change it.

    We trace how the nine-to-five narrative gets normalized as the only “safe” path and how many of us outsource our sense of stability to schedules, paychecks, and other people’s approval. Renae shares a candid story about relying on music gigs while building a business, a partner’s stress over an unfilled calendar, and the deeper conditioning that makes “packed equals safe” feel logical.

    From there, we unpack the brain science — like the reticular activating system and familiarity bias—and why your attention keeps finding chaos simply because chaos feels like home.

    This conversation also zooms out to the system level. Workplaces quietly benefit when people are slightly anxious: longer hours, fewer questions, and more tolerance for misalignment. We name the cultural scripts that glorify exhaustion and label boundaries as laziness, then offer simple, durable ways to push back—unapologetic lunch breaks, delayed non-urgent replies, spotting manufactured urgency, and asking better questions like “Is this sustainable?” and “Who benefits from this pace?”

    If calm has felt suspicious, this episode is your map to making peace feel safe — without blowing up your life.

    Free Access to Week One: Burn the Blueprint

    If this episode helped you recognize how much of your stress is rooted in conditioning—not personal failure—you can go deeper with Burn the Blueprint, my 4-week self-paced course.

    It’s designed to help you identify the beliefs, patterns, and nervous system responses you’ve been running on autopilot—and start changing them from the inside out.

    You can access Week One for free to explore the conditioning you’ve been living inside before deciding what comes next.

    http://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Subscribe to Hustle Rebels for more conversations that question the conditioning behind success.

    Support the show

    Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2560329/supporters/new

    FREE RESOURCES:

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    CONNECT ON SOCIALS:

    LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

    Websitehttps://www.waywardwellnesscoaching.org

    Instagramhttps://instagram.com/waywardwellnesscoaching

    Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching-61566792351111/



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    15 Min.
  • When Hustle Turns Expensive: Why High Performers Burnout (and What to Do Instead)
    Jan 1 2026

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    A near-death hospital moment exposes how hustle culture wires responsibility deeper than self-preservation and why burnout is a biological boundary, not a moral failure. We name the subtle signs of overgiving, reframe what hustle can mean, and offer simple steps to renegotiate before collapse.

    • the quiet shift from noble hustle to expensive hustle
    • the moment the system shows it values coverage over care
    • how conditioning turns stillness into perceived danger
    • burnout as a nervous system boundary, not a flaw
    • three early steps: notice mismatch, listen to signals, redefine hustle
    • moving from approval-driven work to alignment-driven work
    • one micro-action this week: spot fear-based pushing
    • resources to support change without blowing up your life

    Right now I'm offering week one of my new program, Burn the Blueprint, completely free. You can find the link in the show notes, take it at your own pace, and no pressure to do more than you're already ready for.


    Support the show

    Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2560329/supporters/new

    FREE RESOURCES:

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    CONNECT ON SOCIALS:

    LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

    Websitehttps://www.waywardwellnesscoaching.org

    Instagramhttps://instagram.com/waywardwellnesscoaching

    Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching-61566792351111/



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    11 Min.
  • BONUS: Exhausted by Design (Part 3) - Rebuilding Trust With Your Nervous System
    Dec 31 2025

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    A foundational bonus mini-series exploring why burnout is a systems issue — originally recorded for YouTube and shared here for context.

    In this episode of Hustle Rebels, Renae delves into the hidden costs of the driven archetype celebrated on social media. She explains how praise for constant productivity can inadvertently lead to burnout by making rest feel unsafe. Drawing from her personal experiences as a firefighter paramedic, Renae discusses how to rebuild trust with your body after burnout through consistent, small actions that prioritize rest and self-care. The episode also highlights the differences between control and inner authority and offers practical tips for creating a 'calm portfolio' to achieve sustainable success without sacrificing your well-being.

    00:00 The Hidden Cost of the Driven Archetype

    01:05 Introduction to Hustle Rebels

    01:32 Understanding Burnout and Nervous System Economy

    02:36 Rebuilding Trust with Your Body

    05:05 Identifying and Addressing Debt Habits

    12:52 Creating Consistent Deposit Habits

    15:37 Building a Calm Portfolio

    18:58 Embracing Inner Authority

    23:25 Conclusion and Next Steps




    Support the show

    Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2560329/supporters/new

    FREE RESOURCES:

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    CONNECT ON SOCIALS:

    LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

    Websitehttps://www.waywardwellnesscoaching.org

    Instagramhttps://instagram.com/waywardwellnesscoaching

    Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching-61566792351111/



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    27 Min.
  • BONUS: Exhausted by Design (Part 2) - Subscriptions You Forgot to Cancel
    Dec 31 2025

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    A foundational bonus mini-series exploring why burnout is a systems issue — originally recorded for YouTube and shared here for context.

    This episode delves into the insidious nature of burnout, exploring how stress and exhaustion can accumulate silently and impact one's life. The discussion highlights the misconception that burnout only happens to those who can't handle stress, revealing that it's often a result of handling too much stress for too long without proper recovery. The script emphasizes the hidden fees and auto-payments to our nervous system, stemming from diet culture, poor gut health, and emotional robbers. It advocates for recognizing and canceling these draining subscriptions to build a sustainable, regulated life. Practical tips on maintaining nervous system health and the importance of gut health are also provided to help reclaim energy and wellbeing.

    00:00 Understanding Burnout: The Silent Erosion
    01:06 The Hidden Costs of Hustle Culture
    02:24 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout
    05:57 The Impact of Diet Culture on Health
    13:47 Gut Health and Nervous System Regulation
    18:23 Emotional Bank Heist: Protecting Your Energy
    21:34 Reflection and Rebuilding Emotional Wealth

    Support the show

    Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2560329/supporters/new

    FREE RESOURCES:

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    CONNECT ON SOCIALS:

    LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

    Websitehttps://www.waywardwellnesscoaching.org

    Instagramhttps://instagram.com/waywardwellnesscoaching

    Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching-61566792351111/



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    24 Min.
  • BONUS: Exhausted by Design (Part 1) - How Burnout Traps Your Nervous System in Survival Mode
    Dec 31 2025

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    A foundational bonus mini-series exploring why burnout is a systems issue — originally recorded for YouTube and shared here for context.

    This episode of Hustle Rebels explores the concept of burnout through the metaphor of the nervous system as an economy. It highlights how living in constant stress and ignoring micro-tensions can lead to emotional and energetic bankruptcy. The host, an ex-firefighter paramedic, shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of regulating stress to avoid burnout. Key steps discussed include conducting an awareness audit, implementing micro pauses, muting notifications, and shifting language to manage stress. The episode concludes with reflective questions to help listeners understand their own nervous system economy and prevent burnout.

    00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Cost of Overdrive

    00:36 Personal Experience: Living in High Alert

    01:50 Understanding Your Nervous System Economy

    03:01 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

    04:47 The Debt of Chronic Stress

    08:59 Steps to Rebuild Your Nervous System Credit

    10:28 Reflection and Next Steps

    11:18 Conclusion and Call to Action




    Support the show

    Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2560329/supporters/new

    FREE RESOURCES:

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    CONNECT ON SOCIALS:

    LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

    Websitehttps://www.waywardwellnesscoaching.org

    Instagramhttps://instagram.com/waywardwellnesscoaching

    Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching-61566792351111/



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    13 Min.
  • TRAILER - Hustle Rebels: Sustainable Success for High Performers
    Dec 31 2025

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    Start here. This trailer explains what Hustle Rebels is about and who it’s for.

    The old script says work harder, show up longer, and your sacrifice will finally pay off. We challenge that myth head-on and explore a better way to perform at a high level without trading your health, relationships, or clarity. Renae — former firefighter paramedic turned nervous system regulation coach — pulls from years inside high-pressure systems to explain why the workplace often rewards availability, not sustainability, and how to flip that dynamic for good.

    We take a clear-eyed look at how dysregulation quietly drives poor decisions, chaotic priorities, and a culture of constant proving. You’ll hear why regulation isn’t about being soft; it’s about building the conditions for sharp judgment, steady focus, and leadership that can hold complexity. We unpack practical shifts: regulating before you work, designing calm into your schedule, and training leaders to understand human psychology rather than just manage metrics. Along the way, we question outdated norms like the default 9-to-5 blueprint and the belief that resilience equals self-abandonment.

    If you’ve felt the grind getting louder while your body pays the bill, this conversation offers a reset. You’ll leave with a new lens on productivity, language for pushing back on broken incentives, and a roadmap for making success sustainable, not self-destructive. Subscribe if you’re ready to build a career that values clarity over chaos and performance without burnout — and share this with someone who needs a smarter way to hustle.

    Support the show

    Support the Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2560329/supporters/new

    FREE RESOURCES:

    FREE ACCESS to Week 1 of Burn the Blueprintwayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/burn-the-blueprint-week-one

    Weekly Recharge Newsletterhttps://wayward-wellness-coaching.kit.com/wayward-wellness-newsletter

    CONNECT ON SOCIALS:

    LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/waywardwellnesscoaching/

    Websitehttps://www.waywardwellnesscoaching.org

    Instagramhttps://instagram.com/waywardwellnesscoaching

    Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Wayward-Wellness-Coaching-61566792351111/



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    2 Min.