In this episode, Jan and I get properly stuck into what stress really looks like in real life, not just the theory, but the day-to-day reality of trying to juggle work, family, responsibility and everything else life throws at us.

We talk about navigating uncertainty, especially when work feels unstable or overwhelming, and how easy it is to lose sight of what actually matters when you’re stuck in survival mode. We explore meaningful work, identity, and what happens when you’ve been “just coping” for so long that you forget what feeling well even looks like.

We get into the science of stress and recovery in a really down-to-earth way, what’s happening in the nervous system, why so many people can’t switch off even when they’re exhausted, and why rest often feels harder than pushing through.

Jan shares lots of practical wisdom around boundaries, self-care (the real kind, not the Instagram version), and how small daily habits can either keep us stuck… or gently bring us back to ourselves.

This is one of those conversations that feels like a deep breath. Honest, relatable, and full of reminders that you don’t need to overhaul your whole life overnight, but you do need to stop ignoring what your system has been trying to tell you.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in stress, running on empty, or like you’ve lost a bit of yourself along the way… this one’s for you.

FOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:

Rich Bagnall - ILM Qualified Coach and Mental Health Nurse (@rb_burnoutcoach) • Instagram photos and videos

1:1 Coaching Programme: Work With Me | Rich Bagnall Stres

Email: rbburnoutcoach@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Russell, host of the Couch to Coached podcast and we’re having a proper honest conversation about what happens when life just quietly piles up.

Ben shares his story of starting a business, supporting his elderly parents, raising a family, and trying to keep everything afloat… until his mental health started to suffer and burnout crept in.

We talk about what that actually looked like day to day, the pressure no one else really sees, the guilt, the self-blame, and that feeling of “I should be coping better than this.”

Ben also opens up about losing his mum, the complex emotions that came with that, and how grief can sit alongside relief when the pressure you’ve been carrying finally shifts.

A big part of Ben’s recovery has been running, and we get into how movement helped him manage stress, clear his head, and start feeling more like himself again. And he shares how Couch to Coached became more than just a podcast, it became part of how he looked after himself.

We also talk about Ben’s ADHD and autism diagnosis, how that’s helped him understand himself better, and why neurodivergent nervous systems can experience stress and burnout differently.

This episode is for anyone who’s been trying to be everything to everyone, quietly struggling, and wondering why they feel so overwhelmed.

You’re not weak. You’re not failing.

Sometimes life just gets heavy, and you don’t have to carry it alone.

FOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:

Rich Bagnall - ILM Qualified Coach and Mental Health Nurse (@rb_burnoutcoach) • Instagram photos and videos

1:1 Coaching Programme: Work With Me | Rich Bagnall Stres

Email: rbburnoutcoach@gmail.com

FOLLOW BEN AND THE COUCH TO COACHED PODCAST:

Ben's Instagram

Couch to Coach Instagram

Books mentioned in the podcast:

• Dopamine Nation
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k
• The Let Them Theory
• The dose Effect

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Tina, a Senior Sister on Critical Care, opens up about her journey through burnout. She describes what it was really like to reach the point of exhaustion, giving everything to work, holding it together for everyone else, and completely neglecting herself in the process.

When we first started working together, Tina was in a dark place, overwhelmed, anxious, constantly running on empty, with no boundaries and no energy left for the things or people she cared about most. Through coaching, everything began to shift. Each session helped her untangle the guilt, challenge the stories keeping her stuck, and start rebuilding from the inside out. Together, we worked on mindset, boundaries, and self-compassion, practical tools that helped her take back control, one small step at a time.

Now, Tina’s calmer, more confident, and leading both at work and in life from a place of strength rather than survival. She’s proof that coaching isn’t about “fixing” people, it’s about guiding them back to themselves, helping them see that change is possible, and empowering them to create a life that actually feels like theirs again.

If you’ve ever thought “I can’t keep doing this” this episode will show you what’s possible when you stop trying to survive alone and start investing in yourself.

Takeaways

• Burnout can happen to anyone, regardless of their role or responsibilities.
• Recognising the signs of burnout is crucial for recovery.
• Coaching can provide valuable tools and support for managing stress.
• Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining mental health.
• Self-compassion is key to overcoming feelings of shame and guilt.
• It's important to prioritise self-care and personal well-being.
• Speaking up about mental health struggles can help others feel less alone.
• Creating a toolbox of coping strategies can aid in recovery.
• Social support is vital during difficult times.
• Transformations take time, and it's okay to seek help along the way.

FOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/rb_burnoutcoach/

CONTACT US BY EMAIL: reviveandthrivepod1@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.