In this must-listen episode, we welcome Cathleen O'Sullivan, a leadership mentor, former high-level corporate leader, and host of the Legendary Leaders Podcast. After years of 16-hour days and relentless pressure, Cathleen hit what she calls "the corporate wall"—a burnout so severe she had to leave her role. She shares her deeply personal journey from high-functioning burnout—the stage where you still deliver and are seen as high-potential while cracking inside—to finding her boldness. Cathleen opens up about the physical, mental, and emotional toll the burnout took, including neglecting herself, experiencing deep fatigue, developing unhealthy habits, and the constant feeling of "not doing enough." 💡 Learn how Cathleen: Realized she was in burnout only after literally "cracking open" in a conversation with her manager. Learned to stop seeking affirmation and acknowledgment from others. Found her turning point by redefining success and letting go of control. Discovered the power of choice and how to use her feminine energy to create positive impact. Shares practical advice for high-achieving women on setting boundaries, tackling the mental load and "guilt cycle," and pursuing excellence without exhaustion. This episode is your permission slip to pause, redefine, and embark on your own brand new, bolder journey. 🔗 Connect with Cathleen O'Sullivan: Website: https://cathleenosullivan.com/Instagram: legendary_leaders_cathleenosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-osullivan/ 🎙️ Connect with Her Resources Podcast: Website: https://herresourcespodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herresourcespodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/her-resources-podcast/ ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00:00 | Introduction and Host Welcome00:04:08 | Hitting the Corporate Wall: Recognizing High-Functioning Burnout00:12:11 | Physical & Emotional Signals of Burnout00:15:31 | The Hardest Part: Letting Go of Control and Admitting Weakness00:17:31 | The Bali Turning Point: Rebuilding and Reconnecting to Self00:24:36 | Lightning Round: Redefining Power and the Power of Choice00:26:56 | Balancing Energies: Masculine vs. Feminine in Leadership00:33:50 | The Mental Load and Organizational Responsibility for Women's Well-being00:42:07 | How to Set Boundaries and Break the Guilt Cycle00:48:57 | Do Less, Achieve More: The Power of Intentionality00:52:18 | Burnout to Boldness: The Full Transformation00:56:00 | Redefining Ambition: Alignment Over Exhaustion01:03:06 | Lightning Round: Bold Moves, Boundaries, and Mantras