Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Coming back from burnout

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I had the joy of talking with Christy Nichol, burnout recovery specialist and former sports therapist. Christy shared her journey of navigating burnout—twice—and how those experiences shaped her passion for helping high-performing professionals and entrepreneurs reclaim their energy, restore balance, and rediscover joy. Her story is a powerful reminder that self-care and authenticity aren’t luxuries in leadership—they’re essentials.

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From Sports Therapy to Burnout Recovery

Christy’s career began as a successful sports therapist, but her own burnout experiences—and the struggles she saw in her clients—shifted her path. Over time, she noticed that stress often prevented clients from healing fully. Chronic pain and lingering injuries weren’t just physical—they were compounded by the pressures of daily life.

This insight pushed Christy to dig deeper, ultimately guiding her toward the work she does today: helping leaders and business owners address stress at its root so they can lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

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Leadership Inspiration: Louise Hay

When asked about a leader who has shaped her journey, Christy pointed to author and teacher Louise Hay, often called the “queen of affirmations and self-love.” Discovering Hay’s work during a difficult season gave Christy a new mindset: that she was lovable, valuable, and capable of creating change in her own life.

Those lessons didn’t just transform her personally—they became foundational to the way she now supports clients. For Christy, the choice of self-love is also the choice to lead from a place of strength, rather than exhaustion.

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The Power of Self-Care in Leadership

Christy’s work emphasizes that self-care isn’t selfish. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful leadership tools available. Leaders who invest in themselves show up with more energy, resilience, and authenticity for their teams, families, and communities.

As she shared, listening to the “whispers” of stress before they become “screams” can prevent full burnout and make recovery far easier. By reframing self-care as essential, leaders can move past guilt and begin to lead from a place of empowerment.

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Support Systems and the Loneliness of Leadership

Leadership can often feel isolating. Christy acknowledged that while leaders carry heavy responsibilities, they don’t have to do it alone. Just as Olympians rely on coaches and support teams to reach the podium, leaders also need trusted networks to sustain them.

Whether through therapy, coaching, or even practical support like delegating tasks, Christy encourages leaders to remember that asking for help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.

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Authentic Leadership That Lasts

At the heart of Christy’s message is authenticity. Inspired by Louise Hay’s example of leading with love and inclusivity, she challenges leaders to embrace vulnerability, prioritize their own well-being, and model a healthier way of working.

As Christy puts it: When you lead from self-love and care, you ripple that strength and joy out into every area of your life—and the lives of those you influence.

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Connect with Christy Nichol

You can learn more about Christy’s work and her Burnt Out to Blissed Out formula at christynichol.com. She’s also active on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, where she shares resources and encouragement for leaders navigating stress and burnout.

Also download her free gift for Illustrating Leadership listeners, "9 Ways to Stress Less." 

 

Your host, Jessica Wright, is a Life & Career Development Coach for Leaders and the Founder of Wright Life Coaching, LLC. You can connect with and follow her on LinkedIn.