#14 Carmen McDougall on Why Leaders Say "I'm Fine": Burnout, Boundaries & Better Leadership

#14 Carmen McDougall on Why Leaders Say "I'm Fine": Burnout, Boundaries & Better Leadership

What happens when the person everyone relies on is the one who's struggling? In this thought-provoking episode, Jayne is joined by mindset and leadership coach Carmen McDougall, who shares her own experience of corporate burnout and how it transformed both her career and her understanding of emotional wellbeing. Together they explore why so many leaders feel they have to carry everything alone, the hidden impact of people-pleasing, and why asking for help is often seen as a weakness when it should be recognised as a strength. Carmen explains how stress, anxiety and overwhelm can affect decision-making at every level of an organisation, and why emotionally intelligent leadership starts with looking after yourself first. They also discuss the importance of prevention rather than simply responding when someone reaches crisis point, and why workplaces need to become better at recognising the early signs that someone isn't coping. If you've ever found yourself saying "I'm fine" when you're anything but, or you've struggled to balance the pressures of work, family and expectations, this conversation offers practical insights, reassurance and hope. Connect with Carmen and find out more: www.happysoulcoaching.co.uk  EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too. If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community. If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.  Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals. Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.  The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

#13 Alfred Ricci: From Childhood Trauma to Helping Those Who Serve

What if the experiences that shaped your deepest struggles could also become your greatest source of strength? In this powerful conversation, Jayne is joined by Resilience Expert Alfred Ricci to explore how childhood trauma, adversity and high-pressure careers can become catalysts for growth, purpose and service. Alfred shares his remarkable journey from an unstable childhood spent in shelters, group homes and foster care to an international career in corporate banking spanning more than 20 countries. Despite professional success, he found himself questioning whether achievement alone could bring fulfilment, leading him on a path towards helping others build resilience and wellbeing - ultimately finding his true purpose in helping others. Together, they explore why some people are able to thrive despite adversity, the hidden emotional cost of high-pressure corporate cultures, and the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Alfred shares how resilience, mindfulness and a willingness to challenge the status quo helped him move beyond survival and create a life centred on meaning and service. This episode is a powerful reminder that while we cannot always change what has happened to us, we can change how we respond to it.  If you've ever felt trapped by old beliefs, workplace pressures or past experiences, this conversation offers hope, practical wisdom and a fresh perspective on what it means to thrive. Learn more about Alfred and his work here - https://www.alfredricci.com/  Connect with Alfred here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredricci/ EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too. If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community. If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.  Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals. Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.  The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

#12 Parvez Hemnani: Million Pound Deals to Finding Calm in the Chaos

After arriving in the UK as a young student in 1975, Parvez Hemnani set out with a simple ambition: build a better life for himself and his family. What followed was a successful career spanning decades in sales and marketing, negotiating million-pound deals, leading teams and working under the relentless pressure of targets, forecasts and performance expectations. In this episode, Parvez joins Jayne to reflect on the hidden cost of working in high-pressure corporate environments and the moment he realised that stress at work, combined with challenges at home, had become too much to carry alone. Parvez shares the practical strategies that helped him find calm in the chaos, including early morning walks, meditation, gratitude and the importance of having trusted people he could turn to when life felt overwhelming. He speaks openly about why men often struggle to talk about stress, how attitudes towards mental health are changing in younger generations and why support networks matter more than ever. The conversation also explores what organisations could do differently to support emotional wellbeing at work, from normalising conversations about mental health to creating simple opportunities for mindfulness and reflection during the working day. Parvez also reveals the surprisingly simple prioritisation system that helped him manage pressure throughout his career and explains why gratitude remains one of the most powerful tools for building resilience. This is an honest and thoughtful conversation about success, stress, self-awareness and the small daily habits that can make a profound difference when life feels anything but fine. Connect with Parvez on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/parvez-hemnani-6785367/  EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too. If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community. If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.  Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals. Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.  The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

#11 Trust your Gut and Speak Up: Lucy Tebbit 31 years on the NHS Frontline

In this insightful episode of The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne Ellis sits down with A&E Matron Lucy Tebbit to explore the realities of a life spent caring for others. With more than three decades on the NHS frontline, Lucy shares the lessons she’s learned about trusting your instincts, finding the courage to speak up and navigating the emotional impact of witnessing trauma, grief and loss from a young age. Together, they discuss why so many healthcare professionals say “I’m fine” when they’re anything but, the importance of having safe people around you, and the hidden challenges nurses face every day. Lucy also reflects on the privilege of caring for patients at their most vulnerable, the importance of self-care, and why remembering who you are outside of work is essential for longevity in such a demanding profession. This is an honest, moving and inspiring conversation about resilience, compassion, leadership and the power of saying, “I’m not okay.” A must-listen for nurses, healthcare and social care workers, leaders and anyone who has ever hidden their struggles behind a smile. Lucy shares: I am a passionate ED nurse, who values the team I work with, it is a privilege to support them and work alongside them. I am a wife, Mum of 2 and soon to be Grandparent. Out of work I love supporting my local football team, going to the gym and spending time with my family.  Connect with Lucy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-tebbit-97a258256/   EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too. If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community. If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.  Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals. Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.  The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

#10 From Music Publishing to Physiotherapy: Libby Jarman on Purpose, Resilience and Saying No

Jayne Ellis on I’m Fine – The Truth Behind the Smile welcomes physiotherapist and researcher Libby Jarman for a powerful and honest conversation about career change, compassion, burnout, and the realities of caring for others. Libby shares her fascinating journey from a successful career in music publishing to becoming a physiotherapist, driven by a desire to do work that felt meaningful and made a difference. Along the way, she reflects on working in research, supporting people living with multiple sclerosis, and the challenges and rewards of building her own business. Together, Jayne and Libby explore the emotional impact of healthcare professions, the hidden toll of witnessing trauma, and why so many of us answer “I’m fine” when the truth is far more complicated. They discuss professional identity, the pressures of modern healthcare, the importance of genuine human connection, and how our personal experiences shape the way we care for others. Libby also opens up about her own experience of burnout, the importance of creativity and music in maintaining wellbeing, and the powerful lesson that many of us learn too late: it’s okay to say no without explanation. This episode is a thoughtful and relatable conversation for healthcare professionals, carers, teachers and anyone who has ever put everyone else’s needs before their own. Find out more about Libby Jarman - www.ejhomephysio.com [http://www.ejhomephysio.com/]  Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-jarman-ba7098169/ EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too. If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community. If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.  Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals. Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.  The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.