What happens when a high-achieving entrepreneur hits burnout, questions everything, and decides to rewrite the rules of success?

On today’s episode of The Grounded Leader, I sit down with Paula Routon—a former co-founder of a thriving packaging prototyping business—who courageously walked away from the boardroom and into the healing world of Ayurveda.

Paula’s journey didn’t begin in balance. At the height of her career, she found herself burnt out, unwell, and disconnected. The turning point? Realizing she was living out of alignment. What followed was a courageous unraveling: stepping away from her company, confronting stereotypes and skepticism, silencing her inner critic, and reimagining success on her own terms.

Today, she’s not only an Ayurvedic practitioner but also the creative force behind Ayu Chocolates—a handcrafted Ayurvedic chocolate line tailored to your unique doshic type.

🌟 Key Takeaways

• Burnout is a wake-up call, not a weakness. Paula’s body signaled that something was off long before she admitted it, reminding us that ignoring symptoms only delays healing.
• Success without alignment isn’t sustainable. Even at the peak of her entrepreneurial career, Paula felt disconnected—showing that external achievement doesn’t always equal inner fulfillment.
• Courage means letting go. Walking away from a thriving business took bravery, but it opened the door to a more meaningful and health-centered life.
• Ayurveda can be a turning point. Discovering Ayurvedic wisdom gave Paula tools to reconnect with herself, restore balance, and redefine her path.
• The “messy middle” is part of the process. Healing isn’t linear; unraveling old patterns and facing doubts is part of transformation.
• Inner critics are often louder than external skeptics. Paula shares how silencing her own doubts was harder than confronting others’ opinions.
• Redefining success creates freedom. Today, Paula’s definition of success is rooted in wellness, creativity, and service—not relentless performance.
• Leadership evolves when grounded. With Ayurveda as her foundation, Paula leads and creates from a place of clarity and balance.
• Healing can be joyful (and delicious!). Through Ayu Chocolates, Paula shows that wellness practices don’t have to be rigid—they can be creative and enjoyable.

✨ Ready to ground yourself in wellness over performance?
Tap follow on The Grounded Leader and share this episode with a friend or colleague who’s ready for a more sustainable way to lead.

🍫 Don’t forget to explore Paula’s handcrafted Ayurvedic chocolates at [Ayu Chocolates]—because healing can be delicious too: https://ayuchocolates.etsy.com/

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

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Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

🎙️ Podcast Description

In this episode of The Grounded Leader: Ayurvedic Wellness for Leaders Who Want to Succeed from a Place of Balance, I sit down with April Jarrett, Executive Director at ACDN, who brings over 15 years of experience in operations management and strategic planning. April is a champion of whole-person leadership—one that values balance, self-awareness, and the courage to step away in order to return stronger.

Our conversation centers on why solo trips aren’t just leisure—they’re a vital practice for wellness and leadership success. Through an Ayurvedic and holistic lens, we explore how solitude and changing environments foster mental clarity, stress relief, resilience, and creativity.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Solitude fuels leadership: Solo travel allows leaders to step away from constant connectivity and return with renewed clarity and vision.
• Ayurvedic perspective: Aligning with natural rhythms during travel supports balance, creativity, and emotional regulation.
• Mindset shift: Solo trips should be reframed not as indulgence, but as an investment in leadership and well-being.
• Practical insights: April shares stories of how solo journeys helped her reconnect with herself and return as a more grounded and compassionate leader.
• Advice for professionals: Tips on overcoming guilt or hesitation about solo travel and embracing it as a pathway to personal and professional renewal.

📢 Call to Action

If this episode inspired you to rethink wellness and leadership through the lens of solitude, share it with a colleague, friend, or leader in your life who could benefit from the reminder. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode that helps you lead from balance, not burnout.

💡 What about you? Have you ever taken a solo trip that shifted how you show up as a leader? I’d love to hear your story—tag me on social media or drop me a message.

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Full Bio:

April Jarrett carries almost 20 years of experience in operations management and strategic planning, guiding both U.S. and international organizations to thrive with clarity and purpose. She is passionate about building systems, communities, and leaders that are both effective and sustainable.

April’s whole-person approach to leadership emphasizes self-awareness, balance, and the courage to step away in order to return stronger. She believes solo trips are not only a vital practice for personal wellness, but also a powerful tool for cultivating self-confidence, resilience, and vision - qualities she models for her children, her team, and the leaders she mentors.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.

Ayurvedic Nutrition for Mental Clarity and Better Decision-Making

If your brain feels foggy by 3 p.m., if you find yourself staring at your fridge wondering why you opened it, or if you’ve been making decisions you later regret—it might not be your willpower at fault. It could be your gut.

In this episode of The Grounded Leader, we explore how Ayurvedic nutrition can sharpen your focus, boost your mental clarity, and support smarter, more intuitive decisions. You’ll learn why what’s on your plate directly impacts how you think, lead, and show up in the world—and how simple, intentional changes in your eating habits can transform your leadership capacity.

Whether you’re a high-performing leader, solopreneur, or someone navigating constant decision-making, this episode offers timeless Ayurvedic strategies for nourishing your mind and making better choices.

Key Takeaways:

• The gut-brain connection: Why Ayurveda sees digestion (agni) as the key to clear thinking and effective decision-making.
• What to eat for a sharper mind: Foods that enhance clarity (and what to avoid when you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or foggy).
• Dosha-based nutrition hacks: Tailored tips for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha leaders to stay mentally grounded and focused.
• Practical rituals for clarity: Eight simple daily habits—from meal timing to mindful eating—that can reset your mind and energy.
• Why nourishment is a leadership strategy: How feeding yourself intentionally helps you lead with wisdom, focus, and resilience.

👉🏼 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague or friend who could use a little more clarity in their day (you know the one who calls coffee “lunch”).

💡 Want to take it deeper? Grab my free guide, 🌿The 5-Minute Ayurveda Reset, and start transforming your energy and focus today.

And if you loved what you heard, don’t forget to subscribe to The Grounded Leader so you never miss an episode on leading with balance, purpose, and resilience.

If you are looking for advice from a trained yogi and Ayurvedic Doctor, contact Sweta here.

Connect on Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Visit my website

Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. If you are nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, please consult with your health care practitioner prior to the use of any of these herbs.