The Real Origin Story of The Joy CEO: When Burnout Became My Wake-Up Call

The Real Origin Story of The Joy CEO: When Burnout Became My Wake-Up Call

SUMMARY: In this deeply personal episode, I share the story that became the foundation of The Joy CEO. It’s a story I don’t tell often—one that begins in 2008 when I was juggling a new leadership role near New York City, relocating across the country, navigating a divorce, and raising two young boys. On the outside, I looked like I had everything under control. On the inside, my body was sounding alarms I refused to hear. After months of stress, sleep deprivation, and pushing through exhaustion, I collapsed outside a deli and woke up in the back of an ambulance after experiencing a grand mal seizure. That moment forced me to confront a truth so many high-achieving women face: just because you can carry it all doesn’t mean you should. In this episode, I explore the hidden cost of high performance, the warning signs we often ignore, and why joy is not a luxury—it’s a leadership strategy. I also share research showing that leaders who cultivate joy and wellbeing are more productive, creative, and resilient than those operating from constant stress and survival mode. This is part one of a two-part series on the real origin story of The Joy CEO and the inner transformation that changed everything. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: HIGH PERFORMANCE CAN HIDE A BREAKING POINT Many ambitious women become so skilled at carrying responsibility that they stop recognizing when they’re overwhelmed. YOUR BODY OFTEN KNOWS BEFORE YOUR MIND DOES Stress doesn't always show up as a breakdown. It can appear as exhaustion, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, irritability, or chronic tension long before a crisis occurs. SURVIVAL MODE IS NOT SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP Operating on adrenaline may create short-term results, but it comes at a cost. Constant hustle can disconnect you from creativity, clarity, and joy. JOY IS A LEADERSHIP ADVANTAGE Research highlighted in this episode shows that leaders who experience greater wellbeing and positive emotions are more productive, innovative, and effective. SELF-AWARENESS IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD CHANGE Transformation begins when we pause long enough to notice what's happening internally rather than pushing through discomfort. YOU DON'T HAVE TO EARN REST Many high achievers believe rest is something they deserve only after achieving enough. This mindset often leads to burnout. 🔎 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: * Lori's 2008 grand mal seizure that became a turning point in her life and leadership journey * The "I've Got It" high-performer mindset * The impact of chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and emotional overload * Research from Harvard and McKinsey on the connection between joy, wellbeing, productivity, creativity, and business performance * The concept of joyful leadership as a sustainable alternative to hustle culture * The upcoming Part Two episode exploring the inner work and mindset shifts that followed this life-changing experience ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS: * What warning signs have I been minimizing or ignoring? * Where am I relying on willpower instead of support? * What does my body need from me right now? * How has stress affected the way I show up as a leader? * If joy became a leadership priority, what would I do differently this week? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: * High-achieving women balancing leadership, family, and personal challenges * Executives and professionals who feel successful but exhausted * Leaders experiencing stress, overwhelm, or early signs of burnout * Women who are tired of carrying everything alone * Anyone seeking a more sustainable, joyful approach to success and leadership 💛 FAVORITE QUOTE: "The very thing that made me successful—the belief that I could handle it all—was the thing that nearly broke me." 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

Episode 56: The Moment You Realize It Wasn't You—How the Right Environment Changes Everything

SUMMARY: In this episode, I share a realization that completely changed the way I think about leadership, confidence, and career growth: sometimes the problem isn't you—it's the room you're in. For years, I believed that if I worked harder, proved myself more, and pushed through challenges, I could succeed anywhere. But looking back, I can see how certain environments quietly chipped away at my confidence while others helped me thrive. Using the story of NBA star Jalen Brunson's transformation from being viewed as a supporting player in Dallas to becoming a franchise leader in New York, I explore how the right environment can unlock potential that was always there. I also share my own experience working at Anheuser-Busch under leadership that made me question my value, and how everything changed when I joined Coca-Cola and found a culture where my strengths were recognized and supported. If you've been feeling stuck, overlooked, or like you're constantly proving yourself, this episode is a reminder that sometimes growth doesn't require becoming someone different—it requires finding a room where you can fully be yourself. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: YOUR ENVIRONMENT SHAPES YOUR CONFIDENCE The room you're in has a powerful impact on how you see yourself. When your contributions are minimized or overlooked, it's easy to assume you're the problem. Audience follow-up → Where in your life are you receiving signals that make you question your value? NOT ALL FEEDBACK IS ABOUT YOU Sometimes what isn't being said is just as important as what is. The lack of support, opportunity, or recognition may reveal more about the environment than your abilities. Audience follow-up → What "feedback" have you internalized that may actually be a reflection of the culture around you? GREAT LEADERS BUILD AROUND STRENGTHS The Knicks didn't ask Jalen Brunson to become someone else—they built around what he already did well. Strong leaders and organizations create conditions where people can thrive. Audience follow-up → Are your strengths being leveraged in your current role, or are you constantly compensating for weaknesses? SELF-DOUBT OFTEN STARTS IN THE WRONG ROOM Repeated exposure to environments that don't value your perspective can slowly erode confidence, even when you're highly capable. Audience follow-up → Have you mistaken an environmental issue for a personal deficiency? SOMETIMES GROWTH REQUIRES A DIFFERENT ROOM There comes a point when advocating for yourself isn't enough. If the environment refuses to change, it may be time to find a place where your value is recognized. Audience follow-up → What would become possible if you stopped trying to convince the wrong people of your worth? 🔎 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: * Jalen Brunson – His journey from Dallas to New York and how the right environment unlocked his leadership potential. * Anheuser-Busch – Lori's early leadership experience and lessons learned about workplace culture. * The Coca-Cola Company – The environment where Lori rebuilt confidence and thrived professionally. * Leadership environments and the hidden impact they have on confidence, performance, and career growth. ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS: * Where have I been blaming myself for something that was actually environmental? * What messages am I receiving from the people and culture around me? * Do I feel supported, valued, and seen in my current environment? * What strengths do I bring that aren't being fully recognized? * What would it look like to move toward a room that expands me instead of shrinking me? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: * Women leaders who feel stuck despite working hard * High performers questioning their confidence or capability * Professionals navigating difficult workplace cultures * Executives considering a career move or leadership transition * Anyone who has ever wondered, "Maybe I'm just not good enough" This episode is a reminder that your potential isn't determined by the room you're in. Sometimes the breakthrough comes when you stop questioning yourself and start questioning whether the environment is worthy of your gifts. 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

Episode 55: The Hidden cost of making it look easy

Summary: In this solo episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, I’m sharing a conversation that hit me harder than I expected. A mentor once told me, “Your biggest problem is that you make it look easy.” At first, I took it as a compliment. But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized it was actually pointing to a hidden challenge many ambitious women face. When you’re known as the person who always has it together, people stop checking in. And eventually, you stop checking in with yourself. In this episode, I unpack what I call the Permission Problem—the belief that because we’re capable, we shouldn’t need support. I share my own experience leading a large, travel-heavy team while silently battling exhaustion, and why burnout isn’t always about workload. Sometimes it’s about feeling like you’re not allowed to struggle. If you've ever been the strong one, the reliable one, or the person everyone depends on, this episode is an invitation to stop performing fine and start being honest about what you need. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS MAKING IT LOOK EASY CAN BECOME A TRAP For years, I wore competence like armor. The problem? When you make everything look effortless, people assume you don’t need help. Audience follow-up → Where in your life are you performing strength instead of allowing support? BURNOUT ISN'T ALWAYS A TIME MANAGEMENT PROBLEM Research shows that burnout is rising among high performers, especially women leaders. The issue often isn't productivity—it’s carrying everything alone. Audience follow-up → Are you overwhelmed because of your workload, or because you're trying to carry it without support? THE STRONGEST PERSON IN THE ROOM STILL NEEDS SOMEONE I share a season in 2019 when I was traveling constantly, leading a large team, and outwardly succeeding while privately feeling depleted. Audience follow-up → Who knows how you're really doing right now? STOP PERFORMING COMPETENCE YOU DON'T FEEL There's a difference between being capable and pretending everything is okay. Leadership doesn't require perfection. Audience follow-up → What truth have you been editing out when someone asks, "How are you?" BUILD AN INNER CIRCLE BEFORE YOU NEED ONE Whether it's a partner, friend, therapist, mentor, or coach, every leader needs people who can hold space for honesty. Audience follow-up → Do you have a circle where you can be fully yourself—not just your professional self? PERMISSION STARTS WITHIN No title, promotion, or achievement will give you permission to rest, receive support, or be human. That permission has to come from you. Audience follow-up → What would change if you gave yourself permission to ask for help today? 🔎 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Gallup workplace burnout research * McKinsey research on women in leadership * Lori's 2019 leadership experience managing a large, travel-heavy team * The concept of the "Load-Bearing Wall" leader * Building a personal support system and inner circle ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS * Have I become so good at coping that people no longer know when I'm struggling? * Where am I performing competence instead of telling the truth? * Who are the people I trust enough to be honest with? * What support do I need that I haven't asked for? * What would it look like to pursue ambition without carrying everything alone? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR * High-achieving women in corporate leadership * Entrepreneurs carrying the weight of their business alone * Leaders experiencing burnout despite external success * Women who struggle to ask for help * Anyone who feels responsible for holding everything together 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

Episode 54: What It Actually Means To Go All In - With Leanne Wynne-Davies

SUMMARY: IN THIS INSPIRING AND DEEPLY PERSONAL CONVERSATION, I SIT DOWN WITH MY FRIEND AND COACHING CLIENT, LEANNE WYNN DAVIES—A GOOGLE SALES LEADER, MARATHON RUNNER, ADVOCATE, AND SOMEONE WHO EMBODIES WHAT IT MEANS TO GO ALL IN ON A DREAM. LEANNE SHARES HER 11-YEAR JOURNEY TO QUALIFYING FOR AND FINALLY RUNNING THE BOSTON MARATHON. WHAT BEGAN AS A NEAR MISS AFTER HER FIRST NEW YORK CITY MARATHON BECAME A DECADE-LONG LESSON IN RESILIENCE, COMMITMENT, AND REFUSING TO SETTLE FOR "GOOD ENOUGH." ALONG THE WAY, SHE FACED RACE CANCELLATIONS, MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, CHANGING QUALIFICATION STANDARDS, PREGNANCY, AND COUNTLESS SETBACKS. BUT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUT MORE THAN RUNNING. IT'S ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE STOP TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING ALONE, INVEST IN SUPPORT, AND DECIDE THAT OUR GOALS ARE WORTH PURSUING WHOLEHEARTEDLY. WHETHER YOU'RE CHASING A PERSONAL MILESTONE, LEADING A TEAM, OR WONDERING WHAT YOUR NEXT LEVEL REQUIRES OF YOU, THIS CONVERSATION WILL CHALLENGE YOU TO THINK BIGGER ABOUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: GOING ALL IN REQUIRES MORE THAN EFFORT FOR YEARS, LEANNE TRAINED HARD BUT APPROACHED MARATHON QUALIFYING AS SOMETHING SHE'D FIGURE OUT ON HER OWN. THE BREAKTHROUGH CAME WHEN SHE DECIDED TO STOP RELYING SOLELY ON EFFORT AND START INVESTING IN EXPERTISE. HITTING THE TARGET ISN'T ALWAYS ENOUGH ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISING MOMENTS IN LEANNE'S JOURNEY CAME WHEN SHE TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED FOR BOSTON—ONLY TO LEARN HER TIME STILL WASN'T FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE OF THE COMPETITIVE CUTOFF. THE LESSON? IN LEADERSHIP AND LIFE, MEETING EXPECTATIONS ISN'T ALWAYS WHAT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO EXCEED THEM. COACHING CAN ACCELERATE GROWTH AFTER ONE PIVOTAL COACHING SESSION, LEANNE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL RUNNING COACH, REVAMPED HER TRAINING AND FUELING STRATEGY, AND ULTIMATELY QUALIFIED BY AN IMPRESSIVE 11-MINUTE MARGIN. THE RIGHT COACH DOESN'T DO THE WORK FOR YOU—THEY HELP YOU SEE WHAT'S POSSIBLE AND GUIDE YOU TOWARD IT. NO BIG GOAL HAPPENS ALONE FROM HER HUSBAND AND FAMILY TO COACHES, FRIENDS, AND RUNNING COMMUNITIES, LEANNE CREDITS MUCH OF HER SUCCESS TO THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED HER JOURNEY. WE OFTEN CELEBRATE INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT, BUT BEHIND EVERY BREAKTHROUGH IS A TEAM. LIFE DOESN'T FOLLOW THE TIMELINE YOU PLANNED JUST AFTER QUALIFYING, LEANNE BECAME PREGNANT AND DEFERRED HER BOSTON MARATHON ENTRY UNDER THE RACE'S PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM POLICY. INSTEAD OF SEEING IT AS A SETBACK, SHE EMBRACED THE SEASON SHE WAS IN AND RETURNED STRONGER. SOMETIMES PROGRESS LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN WE EXPECTED—AND THAT'S OKAY. PURPOSE MAKES THE JOURNEY BIGGER THAN YOU LEANNE'S RUNNING JOURNEY IS DEEPLY CONNECTED TO HER ADVOCACY FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS. INSPIRED BY HER SISTERS AND HER WORK WITH THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION, SHE USES MARATHON FUNDRAISING TO CREATE IMPACT BEYOND THE FINISH LINE. PURPOSE HAS A WAY OF CARRYING US THROUGH CHALLENGES THAT MOTIVATION ALONE CAN'T SUSTAIN. 🔎 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: THE BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFICATION PROCESS AND COMPETITIVE CUTOFF SYSTEM THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON, CHICAGO MARATHON, LONDON MARATHON, WILMINGTON MARATHON, TOKYO MARATHON, AND BOSTON MARATHON PROFESSIONAL RUN COACHING AND PERFORMANCE-BASED TRAINING PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM RACE DEFERRAL POLICIES FUNDRAISING AND ADVOCACY THROUGH THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM SPORTS, COACHING, AND PERSONAL GROWTH ✨ REFLECTION PROMPTS: WHAT GOAL HAVE YOU BEEN PURSUING HALFWAY THAT DESERVES YOUR FULL COMMITMENT? WHERE ARE YOU TRYING TO SUCCEED ALONE INSTEAD OF ASKING FOR SUPPORT? WHAT WOULD "ALL IN" LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR NEXT LEVEL OF GROWTH? ARE YOU MEASURING SUCCESS BY EFFORT—OR BY RESULTS? WHO COULD HELP YOU BREAK THROUGH THE CEILING YOU'RE CURRENTLY FACING? 🧠 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: LEADERS STRIVING FOR THEIR NEXT LEVEL OF GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO STOP DOING EVERYTHING ALONE WOMEN BALANCING AMBITIOUS GOALS WITH CHANGING LIFE SEASONS ATHLETES, RUNNERS, AND ANYONE PURSUING A LONG-TERM DREAM PEOPLE CONSIDERING COACHING, MENTORSHIP, OR INVESTING IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ANYONE WHO NEEDS A REMINDER THAT PERSISTENCE, SUPPORT, AND PURPOSE CAN TAKE YOU FURTHER THAN TALENT ALONE 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace Connect with Leanne on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-wynne-davies-27071152/]

Episode 53: Why Independent Women Feel Lonely | The Leadership Power of Community

Summary: In this episode, I reflect on the hidden cost of wearing independence as a badge of honor and why I’ve come to believe community is essential for sustainable leadership. After years of moving cities for corporate opportunities and believing strength meant handling everything on my own, I realized my independence had quietly turned into isolation. I share the moments that forced me to confront the limits of “doing it all yourself,” from not knowing who to list as an emergency contact for my children to navigating divorce and the sudden loss of my mother. This conversation is an invitation to rethink what strength really looks like and why meaningful connection—not isolation—is what truly supports ambitious women. 🔑 Key Takeaways: INDEPENDENCE ISN’T THE SAME AS STRENGTH For years, I believed being self-sufficient meant I was successful. But over time, I realized independence can become a coping mechanism that disconnects us from the support we actually need. Audience follow-up → Where in your life have you mistaken isolation for strength? AMBITION WITHOUT COMMUNITY BECOMES UNSUSTAINABLE I share how relocating seven times for career advancement slowly eroded my sense of rootedness and belonging. Audience follow-up → What relationships or communities have you unintentionally sacrificed in pursuit of success? THE EMERGENCY CONTACT MOMENT CHANGED EVERYTHING One of the most confronting moments came when I realized I didn’t know who I could list as an emergency contact for my children. That question exposed just how alone I had become. Audience follow-up → If life became difficult tomorrow, who could you truly call for support? COMMUNITY EXPANDS WHAT FEELS POSSIBLE Real connection doesn’t weaken ambition—it strengthens it. Being around women who see you fully creates safety, perspective, and possibility. Audience follow-up → Who in your life makes you feel more like yourself when you’re around them? YOU DESERVE TO BE SEEN BEYOND YOUR RESUME So many accomplished women are celebrated for what they produce while quietly feeling unseen in who they are. I believe we need spaces where honesty matters more than performance. Audience follow-up → Where are you craving deeper connection—not networking, but genuine belonging? 🔎 Mentioned in the Episode: THE CONNECT A peer community Lori created for ambitious, accomplished women seeking honest conversations, meaningful support, and deeper connection beyond surface-level networking. LORI’S CORPORATE RELOCATIONS Over the course of her corporate career, Lori relocated seven different times in pursuit of advancement and opportunity—an experience that shaped both her ambition and her loneliness. THE TURNING POINT The combination of divorce and the sudden loss of Lori’s mother forced her to reevaluate what true support, resilience, and leadership really mean. ✨ Reflection Prompts: * What have you been carrying alone because you thought you “should” be able to? * When was the last time you felt genuinely supported? * Are you building a successful life—or a connected one? * What would change if you stopped treating vulnerability like weakness? 🧠 Who This Episode Is For: * Ambitious women who feel lonely despite their success * Leaders navigating life transitions, grief, or burnout * Professionals craving deeper connection and community * Women redefining what strength and leadership look like * Anyone tired of carrying the weight of independence alone 📩 WANT TO GO DEEPER? Follow Lori on https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripineLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loripine] to continue the conversation * Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: https://www.loripine.com/discovery-callloripine.com [https://www.loripine.com/discovery-call] 🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast ⭐️ Leave a review [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-ceo/id1817292260] to help other heart-centered leaders find the show 📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace