S2:E15 - Running on Empty: Why high-achievers struggle to slow down and what it takes to truly rest.

In this episode, we sit down with Charity, a dynamic product leader whose career path was anything but linear. We dive into what drives ambition, how burnout sneaks up on us, and why slowing down is harder than it sounds. We swap stories about hitting the wall, the delayed recognition of exhaustion, and the complicated relationship between striving for excellence and taking care of ourselves. If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t just “relax” (even when you have the time) this one’s for you.

3 Key Takeaways

• Ambition can be double-edged. The same drive that fuels achievement can also lead to exhaustion if left unchecked.

• Rest rarely happens by accident. True downtime often requires intentional boundaries and self-awareness — and sometimes the courage to walk away.

• Leaders set the tone. Your energy impacts your team; burnout in leadership can ripple outward in ways you might not realize until later.

Questions for Product Managers

1. How do you recognize the early signs of burnout in yourself before it affects your work or your team?

2. Has your ambition ever pulled you in a direction that wasn’t actually what you wanted? How did you course-correct?

3. What practices help you genuinely rest — not just “pause between sprints”?