Why Overachieving Is Exhausting You (And What to Do Instead)

Why Overachieving Is Exhausting You (And What to Do Instead)

From Mighty As A Mother by Jenn Cohen + Laura Demuth

February 17, 2026 · 43 min

About this episode

In this episode, Jenn and Amanda Goetz discuss the challenges of overachieving and the importance of sustainable ambition.

In a culture that still glorifies hustle and resilience, what happens when the very grit that built your success starts quietly depleting you? In this episode, Jenn sits down with Amanda Goetz —two-time founder, four-time CMO, mom of three, and author of Toxic Grit —for a conversation that feels like a deep exhale for ambitious women everywhere. Amanda has built brands, raised millions, navigated divorce, and reinvented herself more than once. And somewhere along the way, she realized that the same grit that fueled her rise was also quietly burning her out. Her book, Toxic Grit: How to Have It All and Actually Love What You Have , is already resonating with thousands of women questioning hustle culture and craving something more sustainable. Today, we go there with her. Together, we talk candidly about: The difference between healthy ambition and "toxic grit"—and how to know when you've crossed the line Why "alignment" can feel impossible when you're juggling multiple identities at once Amanda's Character Theory and how naming the different parts of yourself can reduce guilt and increase presence The concept of "spin cycles" and why intentional resets—both daily and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jenn Cohen, Laura Demuth

Guest: Amanda Goetz

Topics covered

  • overachieving
  • burnout
  • hustle culture
  • ambition
  • self-care
  • work-life balance

Keywords

  • overachieving
  • burnout
  • hustle culture
  • toxic grit
  • ambition
  • self-care
  • work-life balance
  • intentional resets
  • character theory

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Toxic Grit, Toxic Grit: How to Have It All and Actually Love What You Have

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