From Dread and Anxiety to Loving Life in 90 days w/Michael Smith- Ep 44
Release Date: 07/17/2025
The Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: Enjoying summer, finding joy, stress management, relationships, personal growth, mental health, work-life balance, self-care, happiness, mindfulness Summary: In this episode, Minh-Thu Lam opens up about how easy it is (especially for high achievers) to feel like we have to earn our joy. She shares why that mindset often robs us of the simple, meaningful moments that make life sweet. With summer in full swing, this is a reminder to slow down, take care of your mental health, and make space for real happiness and connection. It’s a conversation about redefining what...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: career change, creating freedom, true happiness, control freak, real success, inner peace, side hustle, nervous system, baby steps, transition, anxiety, control, growth Summary: In this conversation, Minh-Thu Lam discusses the journey of creating freedom, emphasizing the importance of balance over control and anxiety. She shares insights on how to create real freedom by taking baby steps, understanding the nervous system's role in feeling safe with freedom, and the necessity of rewiring one's mindset to embrace new opportunities. The conversation highlights the...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: It's my birthday, 9 year in numerology, ending of lessons and patterns, honouring your truth, finding love, building a business, true freedom, personal growth, self-reflection, life lessons, communication, self-love, prioritization, mental health, relationships, numerology Summary: In this birthday episode, Minh-Thu Lam reflects on her transformative year at 36, sharing key lessons learned about self-love, communication, and prioritization. She emphasizes the importance of speaking one's truth, simplifying life goals, and recognizing that no one else is as invested in our...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: high performance pressure, pushing through, relationship challenges, burnout, stress management, high-level sales, personal transformation, mental health, work-life balance, emotional well-being, mindfulness, self-care, coaching Summary: In this episode of the Higher Alignment Podcast, Minh-Thu Lam interviews her client Michael Smith, who shares his journey from complete burnout to a balanced and fulfilling life in only 90 days. Michael discusses the pressures of his high-level sales job, the toll it took on his mental and physical health, and the pivotal moment that led...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: managing burnout, wanting freedom, control freak, redefinine success, mental health, goal setting, self-trust, personal development, coaching, high performance, internal state Summary: In this conversation, Minh-Thu Lam discusses the themes of burnout, freedom, and control. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that you can never experience true freedom if you always need to be in control. Through her own life and practical strategies, she guides listeners on how to cultivate a sense of freedom in their lives, particularly for high-performing...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: setting boundaries, feeling selfish, guilt, self-care, personal growth, mental health, relationships, communication, emotional well-being, assertiveness, personal development Summary: In this conversation, Minh-Thu Lam explores the concept of boundaries, addressing the belief that setting them is selfish. She discusses how society and our childhood can lead to a lack of understanding about personal boundaries and emphasizes the importance of self-care. The conversation provides practical advice on how to start setting boundaries in a manageable way, encouraging...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: burnout, tiredness, mental health, stress management, high performance, executive coaching, work-life balance, emotional well-being, anxiety, productivity Summary: In this conversation, Minh-Thu Lam explores the difference between feeling tired and experiencing burnout. She emphasizes that burnout is often misinterpreted as tiredness, leading people to deny their true state. The discussion highlights the signs of burnout, the importance of recognizing its symptoms, and the potential for personal growth that can arise from acknowledging burnout. Minh-Thu encourages...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: messy growth, feeling stuck, saying good bye to friends, outgrowing relationships, leaving careers, growth journey, self-healing, transition phase, letting go, personal development, inner work, self-discovery, empowerment, abundance, fulfillment Summary: In this conversation, Minh-Thu Lam discusses the messy side of personal growth and the challenges people will face during their healing journeys. She emphasizes the importance of navigating the transition phase, where individuals often feel stuck despite their internal changes. Minh-Thu highlights the necessity of letting...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Keywords: bad sleep, sleep routine, waking up in the middle of the night, bedtime routine, stress free mornings, stress, nervous system, sleep tips, morning routine, sleep environment, mental health, wellness, mindfulness, self-care Summary: In this conversation, Minh-Thu Lam shares her personal journey with sleep struggles and the steps she took to improve her sleep quality. She discusses the impact of stress and the nervous system on sleep, practical tips for regulating sleep, creating a conducive sleep environment, and the importance of morning routines. Minh-Thu emphasizes that...
info_outlineThe Higher Alignment Podcast
Episode Highlights: nervous system regulation, stress management, burnout recovery, corporate burnout, stress relief tips, healing, mental health, emotional well-being, self-care, personal growth, mindfulness, resilience Summary: In this conversation, Minh-Thu Lam delves into the importance of understanding and regulating the nervous system. She shares her personal journey of healing and emphasizes how dysregulation can impact various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and overall well-being. The discussion covers the physiological responses to stress, including fight,...
info_outlineEpisode Highlights: high performance pressure, pushing through, relationship challenges, burnout, stress management, high-level sales, personal transformation, mental health, work-life balance, emotional well-being, mindfulness, self-care, coaching
Summary:
In this episode of the Higher Alignment Podcast, Minh-Thu Lam interviews her client Michael Smith, who shares his journey from complete burnout to a balanced and fulfilling life in only 90 days. Michael discusses the pressures of his high-level sales job, the toll it took on his mental and physical health, and the pivotal moment that led him to seek help. Through mindfulness, regulating techniques, and a commitment to change, he has improved his relationships, reduced stress, and found joy in his daily life. Michael's story serves as an inspiring reminder that change is possible at any moment, regardless of past experiences.
Takeaways:
Michael shares his experience of working in high-pressure sales for 21 years.
He realized he was not managing stress properly, leading to burnout.
Michael's internal world was filled with negativity and exhaustion.
He struggled with being present in his personal life due to work stress.
The turning point for Michael was a conversation with a friend who recognized his struggles.
He learned the importance of regulating his nervous system to manage stress.
Michael's relationships with family and friends improved significantly after addressing his burnout.
He no longer relies on energy drinks or excessive caffeine to cope.
Michael emphasizes the importance of being vulnerable and stepping back to see the full picture.
His journey highlights that change is possible at any moment, regardless of past experiences.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Serendipitous Connections
01:59 Navigating Stress in High-Level Sales
09:27 Recognizing Burnout and Its Effects
17:36 The Turning Point: Embracing Change
21:37 Health Consequences of Ignoring Stress
24:23 Understanding Burnout and Control
24:51 Redefining Strength and Vulnerability
25:59 Aha Moments and Personal Growth
28:52 Finding Calm in Everyday Life
30:29 The Power of Regulating Techniques
34:47 Understanding the Importance of Regulation
39:55 Transforming Relationships and Mindsets
44:44 Natural Changes in Lifestyle Choices
46:36 Prioritizing Relationships and Life Enjoyment
51:55 The Power of Vulnerability and Perspective
If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and give the podcast a 5 star review where ever you listen to it so we can reach more people who need support on their journey to success.
Links mentioned in this episode:
To Learn more about the Higher Alignment Program or to book your complimentary connection call go to http://higheralignmentconsulting.com/program/
The REAL Reason You’re Burnt Out (video)- https://higheralignmentconsulting.com/the-real-reason-youre-burnt-out/
Click Here to take the Quiz- Is my Burnout Fixable? https://higheralignmentconsulting.scoreapp.com
Follow Minh-Thu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minh-thulam/
Follow Minh-Thu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minhthu_lam/