Keywords
Compassion fatigue, burnout, nursing, healthcare, emotional resilience, panic attacks, anxiety, mental health, self-compassion, emotional wellbeing, NHS, stress management, resilience training, healthcare leadership, horses, equine therapy, teaching, emotional safety, trauma, vicarious trauma, healthcare professionals, carers, first aid, compassion, wellbeing at work, EF Training, emotional health, thriving, personal growth.
Summary
What happens when the people who dedicate their lives to caring for others forget how to care for themselves?
In this deeply moving episode, Helen is joined by nurse, educator and CEO Jayne Ellis, whose life changed forever after suffering a devastating panic attack while working as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse in the NHS.
Jayne shares the unseen pressures of working in healthcare, the overwhelming guilt she felt after taking time off sick, and how years of chronic stress eventually led her to discover compassion fatigue—a condition affecting countless healthcare professionals, carers, emergency services and anyone working in emotionally demanding roles.
She explains how reconnecting with horses became an unexpected part of her healing journey before creating EF Training, an organisation now helping thousands of professionals understand emotional resilience, self-compassion and the importance of emotional health and safety.
This conversation is filled with powerful insights that apply not only to nurses and carers, but to anyone who spends their life supporting others. If you've ever felt exhausted, emotionally drained, guilty for resting or wondered why \"being strong\" isn't always enough, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways
• Compassion fatigue is a real occupational hazard for anyone working in caring professions.
• Panic attacks and burnout rarely come \"out of nowhere\"—they are often the result of prolonged emotional overload.
• Looking after yourself is not selfish; it's essential if you want to continue helping others.
• Emotional health deserves the same attention as physical health in every workplace.
• We are more than our job titles—our identity should never be defined solely by our profession.
• Small daily resilience practices can have a profound long-term impact.
• Horses and nature can play an incredible role in emotional healing and nervous system regulation.
• Better leadership and workplace culture can dramatically reduce burnout and improve staff wellbeing.
• Understanding our stress responses helps us recognise the warning signs before reaching crisis point.
• Responsible selfishness allows us to keep showing up for the people who need us most.
Resources Mentioned
Book by Adam Kay – This Is Going to Hurt
Connect with Jayne
EF Training – Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Health Training - https://www.eftraining.co.uk
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/11075152/admin/dashboard/
Link to my podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2570870/episodes
Link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@JayneEllisEFtraining
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
FB: Inspired Healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
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