Share

cover art for When the Storm Clears: Michelle on Burnout, Sobriety & Coming Home to Yourself

Burnout Psychology Support

When the Storm Clears: Michelle on Burnout, Sobriety & Coming Home to Yourself

Season 8, Ep. 63
•

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:

  • The quiet “whispers” of burnout we often overlook
  • How perimenopause can intensify exhaustion and emotional overwhelm
  • Why so many midlife women lose themselves without realising
  • The turning points that led Michelle toward recovery
  • Stopping alcohol, facing long-buried emotions, and finding clarity
  • The identity void burnout creates—and the surprising gifts on the other side
  • How Michelle now supports others through Nostos Nest, helping people and workplaces become more psychologically safe and human-centred


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.


If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:

• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/

• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales

• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapy

Subscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.


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.


Disclaimer

Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 62. Pacing: How to Use Your Energy Like a Budget

    33:30||Season 8, Ep. 62
    Feeling constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re running on empty — even after resting? In this episode of Midlife Reclaimed, Shannon A Swales explores pacing, a powerful and compassionate approach to managing your energy in midlife.If rest is how you refill your tank, pacing is how you spend your energy — wisely, intentionally, and without slipping back into burnout mode. This episode is especially supportive for midlife women navigating burnout, perimenopause, chronic stress, or emotional overload.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat “energy budgeting” really means and why it’s essential for burnout recovery- Why midlife women overspend their energy due to internal “shoulds” and invisible mental load- How to complete an energy inventory (including the hidden emotional labour you may be overlooking)- How to identify your personal energy drains vs. energy restorers- Simple pacing strategies to prevent burnout and reduce overwhelm- Daily check-ins that help you stay within your energy limits- Why pacing is not laziness — it’s sustainable wellbeingShannon breaks down the mindset shift required to step out of the pressure to “just keep going,” and instead move toward sustainable energy management, self-connection, and compassionate boundaries.Who This Episode Is ForThis conversation is especially supportive if you’re a midlife woman experiencing burnout, perimenopause symptoms, stress, or chronic exhaustion, or if you’re learning to regulate your nervous system after years of pushing past your limits.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.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapySubscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.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.

  • 61. It’s Not Just You: Understanding Parental Stress and Burnout

    01:07:12||Season 8, Ep. 61
    Parental burnout is something many parents quietly shoulder — deep exhaustion, emotional disconnection, loss of joy, and the painful sense of not being the parent they used to be or want to be. In this episode, we dive into what parental burnout truly is, how it develops, and why so many parents are struggling under the weight of modern expectations.We explore:✨ the difference between everyday parental stress and actual burnout✨ the three core signs of parental burnout and how they unfold✨ the ripple effects on wellbeing, partners, and children✨ cultural pressures, perfectionism, and the “do-more, be-more” parenting ideal✨ risk factors and why some parents are more vulnerable✨ how burnout can quietly build even in loving, devoted parents✨ and evidence-based ways to support recovery and reconnectionThis is a compassionate, validating look at the real emotional load of parenting — and an important reminder that parenting was never meant to be done alone, without support, rest, or community.If you’ve been feeling worn down, disconnected, or like something in your parenting experience has shifted in a way you can’t quite name… this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and less alone.Host: Shannon Swales: Psychologist, writer, 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.Guest: Dr. Katy Hill is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years' experience of working across a variety of different NHS and university psychology departments. She was the first UK clinical psychologist to qualify as a certified parental burnout practitioner with the Training Institute of Parental Burnout in 2022. As a mum of three herself, Dr. Katy is passionate about supporting parents to reduce their stress levels, manage difficult emotions and improve relationships with their children, and themselves. You can find her at www.drkatyhill.com or on Instagram @‌theparentalstresspsychologist.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place for women to come back home to self• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn• 1:1 Burnout Therapy hereSubscribe to my Mailing List and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.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.

  • 60. How to Create Micro-Moments of Rest in a Busy Day

    31:58||Season 8, Ep. 60
    Rest isn’t something we earn at the end of the to-do list — it’s something we can gently weave into the middle of our lives. In this solo episode, Shannon explores how to create micro-moments of rest in the midst of busyness — small, compassionate pauses that help the nervous system soften and restore.She unpacks the myth of “enough time,” redefines what rest can look like in real life, and shares practical ways to experiment with different kinds of rest — from sensory and emotional to creative and spiritual. Drawing on Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s “Seven Types of Rest,” Shannon offers real-world strategies for women who find stillness difficult, feel guilty resting, or are learning to regulate rather than run on overdrive.Because rest isn’t just a reward — it’s regulation, renewal, and remembering your humanity. 🌻Host: Shannon Swales — Psychologist, writer, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Through her clinical wisdom and lived experience, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community — a place for women to come home to self• Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn• 1:1 Burnout Therapy• Subscribe for a free eJournal to help you come back to yourselfDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist–client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general and not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help — you don’t have to face it alone.

  • 59. When the Culture’s Not Well: The Human Cost of Workplace Burnout

    01:20:50||Season 8, Ep. 59
    In this powerful conversation, Shannon is joined by Lazz Tomic — a workplace wellbeing and early intervention specialist who’s lived both sides of burnout: as a professional advising on wellbeing, and as someone who burned out while doing that very work. Together they explore what happens when the system itself is tired — when workplace cultures built on productivity, compliance, and “doing more” begin to erode the wellbeing they claim to promote.This episode explores:How cultural values like performance, speed, and growth clash with human needs for connection, care, and restThe concept of moral injury — when our work asks us to act against our core valuesWhy burnout isn’t just an individual issue, but a systemic onePractical reflections on creating workplaces where people and organisations can thriveIt’s a reminder that wellbeing isn’t just self-care — it’s culture care. When the culture’s not well, none of us can be for long.Guest: Lazz Tomic is a WorkCover, Injury Management, and Workplace Wellbeing Specialist dedicated to transforming how organisations care for their people. With over a decade of experience across major Victorian corporations, he brings lived experience of burnout and a commitment to designing workplaces that value humans over performance metrics. Founder of Early Intervention 2.0 — a free community for HR and OHS leaders — Lazz helps high-care sectors like healthcare, emergency services, social work, and education shift from a compliance mindset to one of compassion and shared responsibility.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lazztomicJoin Early Intervention 2.0: LinkedIn GroupBook a chat: cal.com/lazztomic/30minHost: Shannon Swales — Psychologist, writer, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Through her clinical wisdom and lived experience, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community — a place for women to come home to self• Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn• 1:1 Burnout Therapy• Subscribe for a free eJournal to help you come back to yourselfDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist–client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general and not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help — you don’t have to face it alone.

  • 58. The Gifts of Compassion: What Midlife Women Need Most (But Struggle to Give Themselves)

    01:02:31||Season 8, Ep. 58
    In this episode, Shannon is joined by Dr. Stan Steindl to explore the true meaning of compassion — beyond kindness or a fleeting feeling — as a powerful practice that transforms how we relate to ourselves and others.They unpack why so many of us, especially women in midlife, find it easier to give compassion than receive it, and explore the common fears and blocks that get in the way. Together, they discuss how shifting the tone of our inner voice softens self-criticism without losing motivation, and why compassion is about doing what’s good for us, not just what feels good.Stan also shares a simple guided practice to help you begin widening your circle of compassion — to include yourself. 🌻🧡Host: Shannon Swales: Psychologist, writer, 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.Guest: Dr. Stan Steindl is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and author passionate about helping people understand and transform suffering through compassion. He is the creator of Compassion in a T-Shirt, a YouTube channel and podcast exploring self-compassion and compassion-focused therapy, and the author of The Gifts of Compassion and its companion workbook.Connect with Stan’s work: stansteindl.com | Compassion in a T-Shirt | The Gifts of CompassionIf you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place for women to come back home to self• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn• 1:1 Burnout Therapy hereSubscribe to my Mailing List and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.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.

  • 57. Why Rest Feels Hard — and How to Let It In

    21:18||Season 8, Ep. 57
    Welcome to Season 8 of Midlife Reclaimed! In this first solo episode of the new season, I’m introducing a fresh format: shorter, more focused episodes designed to fit gently into your month.So many of us in midlife crave rest, yet when the moment finally arrives, it can feel deeply uncomfortable — even unsafe. In this episode, I explore why rest is harder than it looks, and how years of conditioning, caregiving, and productivity culture have shaped our resistance to slowing down.Together, we’ll uncover the hidden barriers — from guilt and perfectionism to nervous system wiring — and learn how to meet them with mindful acceptance and compassion. This isn’t about doing rest “perfectly,” but about beginning, gently, to let rest in as a source of fuel and recovery.If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted but unable to stop, this episode will remind you that you’re not failing — you’re human. And there are softer, kinder ways forward.Host: Shannon Swales: Psychologist, writer, 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.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn• 1:1 Therapy hereSubscribe to my Mailing List and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.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.

  • 56. How do you Return to Work After Burnout?

    01:32:06||Season 7, Ep. 56
    In this episode, I sit down with Karina Schneider — a certified coach (ACC), Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and seasoned Global People & Culture Leader.Karina has spent over 20 years working across consulting, healthcare, engineering, and non-profit sectors. Today, she combines her HR expertise with coaching and lived experience to help people return to work in a way that’s paced, meaningful, and mentally sustainable.Together, they explore:Why burnout recovery and job reintegration are deeply personal journeysHow traditional return-to-work systems often miss the markWhat a more compassionate, human-centred approach can look likeHow values, identity and agency can guide our next steps — especially in midlife🎧 A must-listen for anyone navigating their way back into work — or rethinking what “work” even looks like.Guest: Karina Schneider is a seasoned Global People & Culture Leader with over two decades of experience spanning consulting, healthcare, engineering and non-profit sectors. Her work is motivated by the commitment to foster positive and healthy workplaces experiences so that employees feel motivated to show up and perform at work. Karina also uses part of her time advocating for mental health awareness and support in the workplace; specifically creating compassionate practices on returning to work after a mental health absence. Karina Schneider HR Business Partnering, Organizational Development & Workplace Wellbeing Mental Health First Aid certified Instructor Visit my website | Connect with me on LinkedInHost: Shannon Swales: Psychologist, writer, 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.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn• 1:1 Therapy hereSubscribe to my Mailing List and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon 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.

  • 55. It’s Not Burnout—it’s Betrayal: Unpacking the Hidden Wound

    01:10:45||Season 7, Ep. 55
    This episode was groundbreaking for me—both personally and professionally. In my own journey through burnout, and in the stories I witness daily as a psychologist supporting midlife women, I’ve often sensed that there was something deeper—something unspoken—beneath the exhaustion, the disconnection, the collapse. Meeting Lora Cheadle and learning about betrayal as a root cause of burnout felt like discovering a missing link. Lora—an attorney turned coach, author, and speaker—generously shares her story and her powerful F.U.E.L UP framework for moving through betrayal and reclaiming your inner self. Whether it’s betrayal from a workplace, a partner, a friend, or even from within ourselves, Lora guides us toward recognition, healing, and reconnection. I’ll be forever thankful for this conversation, and I truly believe it’s a must-watch/listen for anyone navigating burnout, broken trust, or a longing to return to themselves.Guest: LORA CHEADLE, JD CHt is an author, TEDx speaker, and leadership wellness coach who specializes in burnout and betrayal recovery. She shows burned-out professionals, teams, and organizations how to reframe burnout as betrayal so they can get to the root cause of their symptoms and stay engaged, productive, and happy for the long haul. She is the creator of the FUEL UP Burnout-Recovery Method and enjoys speaking and coaching on how to move beyond soothing the symptoms of burnout and resolve its root cause. Lora is the author of It’s Not Burnout; It’s Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive, and the award-winning book FLAUNT! Connect with LoraWebsite: https://loracheadle.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/loracheadlelifechoreographerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/loracheadle/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeChoreographer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-cheadle-lifechoreographer/Host, Shannon Swales: Psychologist, writer, 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.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn • 1:1 Therapy hereSubscribe to my Mailing List and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon 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.