In honor of International Women’s Day, I’m joined by executive coach Rachel Wexler for a real conversation about what happens when you look “fine” on the outside—but inside you’re pushing, overthinking, and quietly unraveling. Rachel shares how early pressure to appear successful can create perfectionism and people-pleasing, and how a personal turning point helped her finally get support and shift the way she cared for herself.

We connect the dots between imposter syndrome (that “I’m a fraud” feeling), anxiety, and the slow slide into burnout—especially when your workload grows faster than your sense of stability or support. Rachel explains how imposter thoughts can pull you out of the “productive stress” zone and into chronic self-doubt, and why that uncertainty can spiral into exhaustion over time.

Rachel also breaks burnout down into three clear parts:

Exhaustion (emotional, physical, or both)

Cynicism / depersonalization (withdrawing, losing connection and meaning)

Reduced efficacy (losing your edge and feeling less effective than you used to)

I also share how imposter syndrome can feel compounded when you’re already “passing as normal” with a mood disorder—how the pressure to perform can stack on top of what you’re already managing internally.

And we get practical about what helps: why remote work can strip away the small moments that build reassurance and belonging, and how to intentionally recreate those feedback loops by asking directly for feedback, scheduling connection, and choosing psychologically safe environments with authentic leadership and a solid job-fit dynamic. Rachel offers so many actionable words of wisdom. Start taking notes!

Work with Rachel: Rachel Wexler Leadership: Next Level Executive Coaching for Modern Leaders and Organizations

Follow Rachel: Rachel regularly shares reflections, learnings, and perspectives on leadership on LinkedIn and Instagram

JEWEL: Joining and Empowering Women in the Exploration of Lived Experience celebrates professional women leaders' journeys, with the intention of using their stories to provide career insights and navigation support to mid-career women on the rise.

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Give to Bipolar She & Support Podcast Production: buymeacoffee.com/bipolarshe

Music composed and performed by guitarist, JD Cullum

Edited by Brandon Moran

Sponsored by Soar With Tapping