Burnout is a sign of over-giving with Dr. Nicole Pertillar (Ep: 45)
Wed Jan 28 2026
Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a signal.
In this episode of Diaries of Ambitious Women, I sit down with Dr. Nicole Pertillar—therapist, coach, artist, and creator of Mosaic Mindset—for a deeply grounding conversation about what happens when ambitious women give endlessly without pausing to care for themselves.
Dr. Nicole shares how a serious car accident became a forced pause that transformed her relationship with work, rest, and purpose. Together, we explore why so many women—especially mothers, caretakers, and high-achieving women of color—struggle to slow down, even when their bodies are asking them to.
In this episode, we explore:
* Why burnout is often a sign of over-giving, not weakness
* The cost of ignoring your body’s wisdom and inner voice
* How grief, trauma, and “broken pieces” shape us—and why they deserve care
* The cultural conditioning that teaches women to self-sacrifice
* What it means to create a sustainable rhythm of rest
* Why pausing is not falling behind—but returning to yourself
This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and redefine ambition in a way that honors your spirit, mind, and body.
Key takeaway: Rest is not a reward. It’s a requirement.
✍🏽 Reflection: Where in your life are you being asked to pause—but continuing to push?
Get full access to Diaries of Ambitious Women® at diariesofambitiouswomen.substack.com/subscribe
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Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a signal. In this episode of Diaries of Ambitious Women, I sit down with Dr. Nicole Pertillar—therapist, coach, artist, and creator of Mosaic Mindset—for a deeply grounding conversation about what happens when ambitious women give endlessly without pausing to care for themselves. Dr. Nicole shares how a serious car accident became a forced pause that transformed her relationship with work, rest, and purpose. Together, we explore why so many women—especially mothers, caretakers, and high-achieving women of color—struggle to slow down, even when their bodies are asking them to. In this episode, we explore: * Why burnout is often a sign of over-giving, not weakness * The cost of ignoring your body’s wisdom and inner voice * How grief, trauma, and “broken pieces” shape us—and why they deserve care * The cultural conditioning that teaches women to self-sacrifice * What it means to create a sustainable rhythm of rest * Why pausing is not falling behind—but returning to yourself This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and redefine ambition in a way that honors your spirit, mind, and body. Key takeaway: Rest is not a reward. It’s a requirement. ✍🏽 Reflection: Where in your life are you being asked to pause—but continuing to push? Get full access to Diaries of Ambitious Women® at diariesofambitiouswomen.substack.com/subscribe