About this episode

Nicole Kalil and Elizabeth Svoboda discuss the importance of pacing and the dangers of burnout in the pursuit of success.

We’ve been taught that success means pushing harder, doing more, and staying productive at all costs. But what if the real secret to sustainable success isn’t grinding harder — it’s learning how to pace yourself? In this episode, Nicole sits down with award-winning journalist and author Elizabeth Svoboda to unpack the science, psychology, and strategy behind pacing. From elite athletes to ambitious women juggling careers, relationships, and impossible expectations, this conversation explores why burnout isn’t proof of dedication — it’s often proof that something needs to change. Elizabeth shares how elite performers actually use rest, recovery, flexibility, and energy management to stay at the top of their game for the long haul. Together, Nicole and Elizabeth challenge hustle culture, perfectionism, and the toxic belief that women should operate at 110% all the time. They discuss: Why ambitious women tend to swing between overworking and complete exhaustion The surprising pacing lessons we can learn from Olympic athletes How burnout impacts confidence, relationships, health, and creativity The concept of “rigid flexibility” and why structure alone doesn’t work Why rest should…

People in this episode

Host: Nicole Kalil

Guest: Elizabeth Svoboda

Topics covered

• burnout
• pacing
• sustainable success
• hustle culture
• energy management
• women in careers

Keywords

• burnout
• pacing
• success
• energy management
• hustle culture
• women
• recovery
• flexibility

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Airwave Media

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