Burnout, Worth & Letting Go: Sonya Martinez on the Cost of Overachieving as a Woman of Color
Tue Aug 19 2025
In this episode, Neelam sits down with Sonya Martinez Ortiz, a Chicana therapist, consultant, and founder of Rooted Soul. They explore the intersection of individual healing and systemic change, discussing how wellness and social justice are intricately linked. Sonya shares her extensive background in trauma recovery, community development, and social change, highlighting her recent role as executive director of the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City. Together, they emphasize the importance of collective healing as a means to restore wholeness in both individuals and systems. Tune in to discover how creating accessible, restorative spaces can lead to sustainable growth and transformation."The world and systems are not set up for us to thrive. They extort everything from us, our physical, emotional energy, and even our resources."Notes:[00:02:30] Women of color and burnout.[00:04:12] Work-life balance and burnout.[00:10:34] Importance of taking time off.[00:12:49] Leadership transition during good times.[00:18:24] Taking time for self-care.[00:22:36] Work ethic and personal values.[00:27:24] Finding neutrality in embodiment.[00:31:34] Trust and surrender for women.[00:32:30] Leadership roles of women of color.[00:39:16] Burnout as a workplace phenomenon.[00:41:10] Forced resiliency and health risks.[00:45:58] Organizations' lack of personal care.[00:50:36] Values assessment for self-reflection.[00:54:24] Values and personal choices.[00:58:45] Role inventory for job sustainability.[01:01:35] Values aligned work and organizations.[01:05:40] Somatic body-based coaching.Follow Sonya<a href="https://rootedsoulpractice.com/">Website</a>Follow Neelam<a href="https://arewewell.com/">Website</a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/neelam-chand">LinkedIn</a>
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In this episode, Neelam sits down with Sonya Martinez Ortiz, a Chicana therapist, consultant, and founder of Rooted Soul. They explore the intersection of individual healing and systemic change, discussing how wellness and social justice are intricately linked. Sonya shares her extensive background in trauma recovery, community development, and social change, highlighting her recent role as executive director of the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City. Together, they emphasize the importance of collective healing as a means to restore wholeness in both individuals and systems. Tune in to discover how creating accessible, restorative spaces can lead to sustainable growth and transformation."The world and systems are not set up for us to thrive. They extort everything from us, our physical, emotional energy, and even our resources."Notes:[00:02:30] Women of color and burnout.[00:04:12] Work-life balance and burnout.[00:10:34] Importance of taking time off.[00:12:49] Leadership transition during good times.[00:18:24] Taking time for self-care.[00:22:36] Work ethic and personal values.[00:27:24] Finding neutrality in embodiment.[00:31:34] Trust and surrender for women.[00:32:30] Leadership roles of women of color.[00:39:16] Burnout as a workplace phenomenon.[00:41:10] Forced resiliency and health risks.[00:45:58] Organizations' lack of personal care.[00:50:36] Values assessment for self-reflection.[00:54:24] Values and personal choices.[00:58:45] Role inventory for job sustainability.[01:01:35] Values aligned work and organizations.[01:05:40] Somatic body-based coaching.Follow Sonya<a href="https://rootedsoulpractice.com/">Website</a>Follow Neelam<a href="https://arewewell.com/">Website</a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/neelam-chand">LinkedIn</a>