Episode 112: Complete Burnout, Life Stripped Away, Lost Identity, Leaving her to ask Herself Who Am I?

Jennifer shares her raw and transformative journey from burnout to self-reinvention, proving that it's never too late to rewrite your story. Approaching her 50th birthday, Jennifer found herself at an unexpected crossroads—divorced, an empty nester, unemployed, and bedridden with a stress-related illness—all within a single year. The weight of these life changes led to complete burnout, forcing her to take a few leaves of absence from work. She felt stripped of her identity. She had always been a wife, a mother, and a successful professional, but suddenly, those roles were gone. Overwhelmed with a sense of defeat, she spiraled into deep depression, questioning, “What’s wrong with me?” Self-blame took over as she grappled with the belief that she had done everything right—checked all the boxes of a "successful" life—yet still ended up here. What she didn’t realize at the time was that her entire foundation had been built on a deep-seated narrative of “I’m not enough.” She had spent years proving her worth through achievements, promotions, and external validation, unaware of the toll this took on her mental health. The pressure to be more had been relentless, yet no amount of success ever quieted the inner critic that told her she was still falling short. Despite being driven, accomplished, and well-compensated with prestigious job titles and perks, she had always felt the need to prove her value to the world. But in the depths of her struggle, Jennifer came to a life-altering realization: this wasn’t the end—it was an opportunity. She had the power to redefine success on her own terms and build a life that truly aligned with who she was, not what she achieved. Her key message to the listeners is that no matter where you are starting from, you can choose again, one decision and choice at a time.