The New Peak

f you’re a high achiever or leader who looks successful on the outside but feels exhausted on the inside, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of The New Peak Podcast, Nicola McCrabbe shares her personal journey with perfectionism, burnout, and the pressure to constantly prove herself. From growing up on a farm in Ireland to becoming a professor and eventually experiencing burnout twice, Nicola explains how perfectionistic thinking can quietly drain your energy, relationships, confidence, and health — even while you continue to perform at a high level. This episode explores the hidden connection between perfectionism and burnout, why high performers often normalize stress, and how sustainable leadership requires a different approach. If you struggle to switch off, constantly question whether you’re doing enough, or find it hard to enjoy success before chasing the next goal, this conversation will resonate deeply.

What actually supports employees under pressure? In this episode, Naomi shares insights from her research into employee well-being, revealing that emotional intelligence and communication—not perks—are what truly matter. We explore how leaders can build trust, support their teams, and sustain performance without burnout. A must-listen for leaders navigating high-pressure environments.

What happens when you take on everything — and never say no? In this episode of The New Peak Podcast, I’m joined by Natasha Rogers, who shares how carrying too much responsibility gradually led her into burnout. It wasn’t one dramatic collapse. It was subtle. A growing impatience. Feeling stretched thin. Ignoring the quiet warning signs. Until the “dirty laundry” became the breaking point. That overflowing pile wasn’t really about laundry — it was the signal that something deeper needed attention. Together, we explore: • The pressure of always being the responsible one• Why high achievers struggle to say no• The emotional and physical signs of burnout• The moment she realised something had to change• How a trip home created space to reset• Learning to be kinder to yourself• Becoming more intentional about balance and boundaries If you’ve been carrying too much, feeling less like yourself, or noticing the small signs you keep brushing aside — this conversation will resonate. Burnout doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it looks like laundry you don’t have the energy to fold. 🎧 Listen and reflect: What might your “overflowing laundry” be telling you? 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to The New Peak Podcast00:42 – Life Before Burnout: Living Where You Work02:23 – Sudden Work Overload & Three Roles at Once03:19 – Personal Chaos & Family Crisis04:23 – Early Warning Signs: “I Thought I Was Coping”05:28 – The Breaking Point: Tears in the Interview07:18 – Booking a Flight & The Dirty Laundry Moment10:04 – Recovery Begins: Taking a Real Break12:06 – Redefining Success & Choosing Joy14:04 – Advice to Others: Trust Yourself & Speak Up15:46 – Proud Quitting, Boundaries & Balance19:16 – Final Reflections: Reflecting on What Truly Matters 📌 Connect & Resources Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rogers/ Take the Burnout Quiz:https://nicolamccrabbe.com/test/burnout-quiz/ Learn more about coaching with Nicola:https://nicolamccrabbe.com/coaching Read Nicola's book - Burnout Be Gone:https://tinyurl.com/4u8jas5u/ Subscribe to The New Peak Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite platform.