Revive & Thrive - Managing Stress and Burnout

In this episode I’m joined by Jodie, a nurse, a mum, and someone who has been on a powerful journey of rediscovering who she is after being diagnosed with ADHD.We talk honestly about what it was like for Jodie growing up and never fully understanding herself. We then move in to how she managed work, family life, and everything else that comes with being an adult, while also trying to make sense of her own mind and identity.Our conversation moves through acceptance, masking who we really are to fit in, and the toll that can take when you’ve spent years trying to keep up or appear like you’ve got it all together. Jodie shares openly about the challenges she’s faced along the way, but also the understanding and pride that has come from learning more about herself.This episode is about making sense of why we are the way we are, embracing the lessons that come from life’s challenges, and finding confidence in who we’ve become.It was such an honest and thoughtful conversation, and I’m really excited to share it with you.FOLLOW JODIE ON INSTAGRAM:@theleveridges InstagramFOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:Instagram: Rich Bagnall - ILM Qualified Coach and Mental Health Nurse (@rb_burnoutcoach) • Instagram photos and videos1:1 Coaching Programme: Work With Me | Rich Bagnall StresEmail: rbburnoutcoach@gmail.com

Most people think regulating their nervous system means calming down. Breathing slower. Meditating harder. Journalling more.And when that doesn’t work? They assume they’re doing it wrong.In this episode, Jane (creator of the MirrorWalk Method) and I flip that on its head. Because it’s not that the tools are wrong. It’s that we’ve been using them the wrong way round.If your system is stuck in survival mode, forcing calm can actually make things worse. Top-down tools – thinking, analysing, trying to relax your way out of stress – often aren’t what a dysregulated system needs.Why?Because 80% of the messages that regulate your nervous system travel from your body to your brain. Not the other way round.So we don’t start with “calm your thoughts.”We start with safety in the body.We talk about:• Why joy isn’t indulgent – it’s regulatory• Why movement beats white-knuckling stillness• Why rhythm and familiarity matter more than you think• Why trying to “relax properly” can backfireAnd then Jane shares her MirrorWalk Method – a simple but powerful bottom-up practice that’s exploding for a reason (over 40k followers on Instagram).Because it works.This isn’t another “just breathe” conversation. It’s honest. It’s energising. And it might completely change how you think about stress and regulation.This is genuinely one of the best conversations I’ve had.If you’ve been trying to force calm and wondering why it’s not landing…You need to hear this one.FOLLOW JANE ON INSTAGRAM:@herfireconfidence - InstagramThe MirrorWalk Method - Jane (@herfireconfidence) | StanFOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:Rich Bagnall - ILM Qualified Coach and Mental Health Nurse (@rb_burnoutcoach) • Instagram photos and videos1:1 Coaching Programme: Work With Me | Rich Bagnall StresEmail: rbburnoutcoach@gmail.com

In this episode, Jan and I get properly stuck into what stress really looks like in real life, not just the theory, but the day-to-day reality of trying to juggle work, family, responsibility and everything else life throws at us.We talk about navigating uncertainty, especially when work feels unstable or overwhelming, and how easy it is to lose sight of what actually matters when you’re stuck in survival mode. We explore meaningful work, identity, and what happens when you’ve been “just coping” for so long that you forget what feeling well even looks like.We get into the science of stress and recovery in a really down-to-earth way, what’s happening in the nervous system, why so many people can’t switch off even when they’re exhausted, and why rest often feels harder than pushing through.Jan shares lots of practical wisdom around boundaries, self-care (the real kind, not the Instagram version), and how small daily habits can either keep us stuck… or gently bring us back to ourselves.This is one of those conversations that feels like a deep breath. Honest, relatable, and full of reminders that you don’t need to overhaul your whole life overnight, but you do need to stop ignoring what your system has been trying to tell you.If you’ve been feeling stuck in stress, running on empty, or like you’ve lost a bit of yourself along the way… this one’s for you.FOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:Rich Bagnall - ILM Qualified Coach and Mental Health Nurse (@rb_burnoutcoach) • Instagram photos and videos1:1 Coaching Programme: Work With Me | Rich Bagnall StresEmail: rbburnoutcoach@gmail.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Russell, host of the Couch to Coached podcast and we’re having a proper honest conversation about what happens when life just quietly piles up.Ben shares his story of starting a business, supporting his elderly parents, raising a family, and trying to keep everything afloat… until his mental health started to suffer and burnout crept in.We talk about what that actually looked like day to day, the pressure no one else really sees, the guilt, the self-blame, and that feeling of “I should be coping better than this.”Ben also opens up about losing his mum, the complex emotions that came with that, and how grief can sit alongside relief when the pressure you’ve been carrying finally shifts.A big part of Ben’s recovery has been running, and we get into how movement helped him manage stress, clear his head, and start feeling more like himself again. And he shares how Couch to Coached became more than just a podcast, it became part of how he looked after himself.We also talk about Ben’s ADHD and autism diagnosis, how that’s helped him understand himself better, and why neurodivergent nervous systems can experience stress and burnout differently.This episode is for anyone who’s been trying to be everything to everyone, quietly struggling, and wondering why they feel so overwhelmed.You’re not weak. You’re not failing.Sometimes life just gets heavy, and you don’t have to carry it alone.FOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:Rich Bagnall - ILM Qualified Coach and Mental Health Nurse (@rb_burnoutcoach) • Instagram photos and videos1:1 Coaching Programme: Work With Me | Rich Bagnall StresEmail: rbburnoutcoach@gmail.comFOLLOW BEN AND THE COUCH TO COACHED PODCAST: Ben's InstagramCouch to Coach InstagramBooks mentioned in the podcast:Dopamine Nation The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**kThe Let Them Theory The dose Effect

In today’s episode, Tina, a Senior Sister on Critical Care, opens up about her journey through burnout. She describes what it was really like to reach the point of exhaustion, giving everything to work, holding it together for everyone else, and completely neglecting herself in the process.When we first started working together, Tina was in a dark place, overwhelmed, anxious, constantly running on empty, with no boundaries and no energy left for the things or people she cared about most. Through coaching, everything began to shift. Each session helped her untangle the guilt, challenge the stories keeping her stuck, and start rebuilding from the inside out. Together, we worked on mindset, boundaries, and self-compassion, practical tools that helped her take back control, one small step at a time.Now, Tina’s calmer, more confident, and leading both at work and in life from a place of strength rather than survival. She’s proof that coaching isn’t about “fixing” people, it’s about guiding them back to themselves, helping them see that change is possible, and empowering them to create a life that actually feels like theirs again.If you’ve ever thought “I can’t keep doing this” this episode will show you what’s possible when you stop trying to survive alone and start investing in yourself.TakeawaysBurnout can happen to anyone, regardless of their role or responsibilities.Recognising the signs of burnout is crucial for recovery.Coaching can provide valuable tools and support for managing stress.Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining mental health.Self-compassion is key to overcoming feelings of shame and guilt.It's important to prioritise self-care and personal well-being.Speaking up about mental health struggles can help others feel less alone.Creating a toolbox of coping strategies can aid in recovery.Social support is vital during difficult times.Transformations take time, and it's okay to seek help along the way.FOLLOW RICH ON INSTAGRAM:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/rb_burnoutcoach/CONTACT US BY EMAIL: reviveandthrivepod1@gmail.com

In todays episode, Rich invites James Harvey on to The Revive and Thrive podcast. As you will know from the previous episode, James is an organisational development trainer in his local acute hospital trust, and the leader of the Men's Health Group there. We start by discussing the importance of looking after staff and the complexities around this, before moving on to the importance of men's health, the challenges men face in today's society, and the significance of opening up about mental health issues. James shares his personal experiences, including the loss of his brother and the impact this had on him at the time, reflecting on how he navigated through this difficult time, and then on to how this influenced his work in promoting men's health. The conversation emphasises the need for supportive environments where men can feel comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking help.TakeawaysMen often struggle to talk about their feelings and health issues.Creating a supportive environment is crucial for men to open up.Personal experiences can drive passion for promoting men's health.Leadership plays a vital role in shaping workplace culture.Men's health groups can provide a safe space for discussion.The stigma around men's health needs to be addressed.Comparison to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy.Encouraging men to seek help is essential for their wellbeing.Physical health checks are often neglected by men.Talking to someone can significantly improve mental health.Access James's other Men's Health Group podcasts below:https://vimeo.com/showcase/11783324?share=copyFOLLOW REVIVE AND THRIVE:INSTAGRAM: Revive & Thrive (@reviveandthrive_pod) • Instagram photos and videosCONTACT US BY EMAIL: reviveandthrivepod1@gmail.com