In this insightful conversation, elementary educator Rachel shares the lived experiences that drew her into teaching and the values that continue to guide her in an increasingly complex school landscape.

From struggling as a student herself to working at Boys and Girls Club and now navigating today’s post-COVID classrooms, Rachel’s story highlights the compassion, creativity, and resilience that shape truly meaningful teaching.

She reflects on:

• How her own learning challenges inspired her to help students who “don’t see the steps” the way others do.
• Why relationship-building—not pressure—is at the core of effective learning.
• The shift from traditional resource rooms to in-class supports, and why teachers feel stretched.
• The rise in learning needs, mental health challenges, and behavioural complexities.
• Why making mistakes is essential to learning—and how she builds safe, joyful classrooms.
• What burnout looked like for her, and why stepping out of the homeroom helped her rediscover her spark.
• How teachers and parents can better communicate to support children without overwhelming one another.

Rachel also shares the practices that keep her grounded—setting boundaries, embracing fresh perspectives, spending time on her family farm, and learning to leave work at work so she can show up fully for her students.

Her honesty offers a powerful reminder that great teaching comes from humanity, not perfection—and that supporting educators is essential to supporting kids.

Burnout isn’t just exhaustion — for many women, it’s physical pain, resentment, pressure, and feeling like there’s never enough time to take care of yourself while caring for everyone else. After a sold-out community event on women and burnout, we’re continuing the conversation here.

In this episode, physiotherapist Kate Powell returns to Camp Conversations to unpack what we learned from a room full of women navigating stress, caretaking, identity shifts, and physical breakdown. Kate works closely with women who come to her not knowing they’re burned out — only that their bodies are sending warning signs they can’t ignore.

• Why so many women experience physical symptoms before realizing they’re burned out
• The pressure for “60-minute workouts” — and why all-or-nothing thinking is hurting women
• How tiny, 10-second movements can build strength, resilience, and mobility during busy seasons
• The connection between posture, psychology, and shrinking yourself when life feels heavy
• How repetitive movement patterns (running, biking, gym routines) can weaken other muscles and worsen burnout signals
• Practical ways to integrate sneaky, supportive movement into caregiving, commuting, and everyday life
• How communities, gyms, and friends can support burned-out mothers and caregivers
  

Women aren’t burning out because they’re weak — they’re burning out because they’re carrying too much without the support, space, or sustainable practices they need. This episode brings compassion, clarity, and doable steps to help you reconnect with your body and your spark.

Resources

• CAMP Newsletter for event announcements: campmentalhealth.com/newsletter

In this special solo episode, CAMP Mental Health founder Dayna Haig-Conway shares the personal journey that shaped the CAMP framework and the deeper motivation behind her work.

From outdoor education and behavior intervention to school counselling and clinical practice, Dayna’s path has always centered around one goal: helping others feel full from within.

She reflects on:

• Why traditional behavior strategies often miss the mark.

• How unmet needs drive motivation and resilience.

• The moment she realized “fixing” specific behavior wasn’t enough.

• What it means to build both children and adults from the inside out.

• How the CAMP Certification Program now empowers coaches across Canada to teach this framework in their own communities.

Dayna also shares how motherhood, self-reflection, and her “give back” family roots continue to fuel her purpose—and why true resilience begins with understanding our needs before adding more strategies on top.

If you’re part of a school, nonprofit, or parent group, CAMP offers workshops that return 5% of proceeds back to your organization. Learn more at campmentalhealth.com.