Beyond Burnout: How to Recognise, Recover and Reclaim Yourself – Together

Reflections from the Conscious Entrepreneurs session with Lisa Tyler & Sarah Massie

Burnout is one of those words we hear often. But do we really understand what it is, how it differs from stress, and what recovery truly looks like?

In our latest Conscious Entrepreneurs session, we had the rare treat of welcoming two guest speakers. The insightful, honest, and deeply knowledgeable Lisa Tyler and Sarah Massie, for a session titled “Beyond Burnout.”

Together, they guided us through the physical, emotional, and systemic roots of burnout, and opened space for each of us to reflect on our own experiences.

This wasn’t just a professional development workshop, it was a truly human conversation. A room full of business owners, coaches, creatives, and change makers came together to learn, reflect, laugh (a lot), and leave with a sense of being seen and supported.

What Burnout Really Is. And Isn’t

Lisa began with the official WHO definition of burnout: an “occupational phenomenon” marked by exhaustion, mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.
But both speakers challenged this narrow view.

“You’re not burned out by going to the beach. You burn out from trying to keep everything going while ignoring your own needs.” Lisa Tyler

Burnout isn’t just about overwork. It’s about chronic disconnection, often rooted in misalignment with your values, identity, or life stage. It’s not just professional. It’s personal, systemic, and often cumulative.

Sarah reminded us how burnout often shows up in the body before the mind catches up. From gut issues to irritability, from brain fog to collapse. These aren’t weaknesses. They’re intelligent signals from a system under strain.

Why Burnout Happens. And Why Some People Stay Well

We explored how identity, neurodivergence, and social conditioning all contribute:

– Women in midlife often face a “collision” of responsibilities. Career, caring for others, and hormonal shifts. All while being told to just keep going.

- Neurodivergent individuals, especially those masking ADHD or autism traits, are particularly vulnerable to burnout. Often without recognition.

– Trauma, especially unspoken or unacknowledged, can sit beneath the surface for years, lowering our resilience without even realising.

One of the most powerful reflections came from an attendee, who shared:

“I think burnout is easier for society to hear than trauma. But it’s often the same thing. A trauma response our body gets stuck in.”

This led to a key, shared moment around the power of language. How words like “normal” and “syndrome” can add shame rather than create clarity. Our community was quick to offer alternatives like “typical” or “natural,” and it was a reminder of how our shared language matters.

What Recovery Really Takes

Lisa shared the Burnout Recovery Curve. A journey from crisis to insight to post-traumatic growth. The curve showed that rest isn’t enough. You don’t recover from burnout with a week off. You need change, and support.

Recovery begins when we:
– Reflect on the systems and stories that led us here

– Reconnect with values and identity

- Begin small experiments and actions that restore autonomy

– Belong to communities that don’t ask us to mask or push through

Sarah beautifully added that movement-based therapies (like yoga, dance), forest bathing, and breathwork aren’t just trendy, they’re physiologically impactful.

“When we reconnect with nature, our senses, our breath, we return to ourselves. Not as we ‘should’ be, but as we are.” Sarah Massie

What We Shared, Felt and Learned

The discussion was alive with shared experiences. From one attendee’s gentle truth about being self-critical to protect herself from others’ criticism, to another’s powerful realisation that what she went through over a decade ago was burnout. Every voice added depth and nuance.

We laughed about cats and incense, commiserated over midlife chaos, and held space for stories not always shared in business spaces.

As host, I (Clare) was amazed by the feedback. Every single person reflected that the session helped them see something more clearly. About themselves, about stress, about what it really means to thrive. We left not just more informed, but more connected.

Want to Watch the Full Session?

This session has been uploaded to the Conscious Entrepreneurs Members Area, so you can rewatch it anytime. Whether you were there live or couldn’t make it, I encourage you to take a moment for this one. It’s a masterclass in being human while being in business.

Next Session: Build Your Vision
Wednesday 12 June, 10am–12pm
Hosted by Clare Morris, Focus & Growth Coaching

Our next event is a light-touch version of my “Build Your Vision” workshop. You’ll get pre-session homework to reflect on what really matters, and we’re trialling a new way to check in with attendees after the session to keep momentum going (without adding pressure).

If burnout comes from disconnection and autopilot, this session is your invitation to pause, zoom out, and plan with heart.

Want More? Stay connected for updates on upcoming events. If you’ve been looking for a community that aligns with your values, we invite you to join us. Whether you’re seeking advice, collaboration, or simply a space to connect with others who “get it,” Conscious Entrepreneurs is here for you.