In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Shannon is joined by lived-experience guest Michelle Stalimeros, who shares her journey through burnout, midlife upheaval, and personal transformation.
Michelle reflects on the early patterns that shaped her drive, years of striving in high-pressure corporate roles, and the subtle signs of burnout she missed along the way. She speaks openly about the coping strategies that kept her going—like binge drinking and over-functioning—and the moment everything finally caught up with her.
Together, Shannon and Michelle explore:
This episode is an anchor for anyone feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or unsure how they reached burnout. Michelle’s story offers both compassion and hope—a reminder that recovery is possible, and often becomes a profound homecoming to yourself.
Guest: Michelle Stalimeros is in her mid-50s and describes herself as “on the other side of burnout.” She has navigated major life changes including sobriety, menopause, redundancy, and redefining success. Before creating Nostos Nest, Michelle spent 14+ years at Salesforce in leadership and operational roles and became a passionate mental-health advocate—co-founding a global mental-health group and becoming a licensed Mental Health First Aid instructor. She is a two-time global recognition award recipient for her impact. Nostos Nest is her next chapter: a space where she blends strategy, lived experience, and humanity to help others create meaningful change.
Website: https://nostosnest.com/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-stalimeros-3972794/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nostosnest/
Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.
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Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.