Leadership Performance Under Pressure

In this conversation, we go straight into the territory most professionals tiptoe around: intuition, subtle energy, the “inner signals” you’ve been trained to ignore since childhood. I talk about why Western culture is so committed to denial, how that denial fuels burnout, and why your quiet inner nudges are often the most honest, helpful guidance you’ll ever get. We cover everything from witches...

You will discover what ChatGPT says are the essential skills and practices needed for professional burnout recovery. I review ChatGPT's suggestions, enhancing them with my own insights from 10,000 client sessions. You will learn the importance of deep self-awareness, stress management, emotional resilience, and setting boundaries, in the context of your own personality and experiences. Then c...

When burnout hits, most people think they’re simply tired. But underneath the exhaustion, there’s often a deeper driver: shame — that quiet voice that says, “You’re failing. You should be stronger.” In this episode, Dex unpacks how shame silently fuels isolation and self-abandonment in high performers, and what it really takes to break that destructive cycle. Through the story of “Mark,” a high-ac...

In this episode, Dex unpacks how early conditioning shapes what we see as “truth,” and how those truths quietly drive our adult stress, dissatisfaction, and burnout. You’ll hear how our sense of being “not good enough” often began as a misguided attempt to stay loved and safe—and how that same belief now keeps us disconnected from joy and ease. Dex shares a personal story about a moment of beauty...

When I first stepped into leadership, I kept doing what had always worked —  analysing everything and making the right call. It strangled my team’s freedom. Sound familiar? If you’re a driven professional who’s starting to feel the burn, this episode is for you. We’re talking psychological flexibility — the ability to be present, open, and adaptive, even when your mind and emotions are pulling you...

Most leaders think they’re holding it all together under duress. But often what they’re really doing is gripping the steering wheel of a car that’s already crashed. Control feels powerful, but it’s actually a symptom of fear. When fear runs the show, we end up managing people instead of leading them, and circumstances instead of ourselves. We seek approval and safety in all the wrong places, forge...

In this episode, Finding New Hope , Dex explores how professionals can rediscover hope and purpose after burnout. Drawing inspiration from Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning , Dex shows how meaning and purpose are not luxuries—they’re essential for resilience, recovery, and fulfillment. He examines why burnout so often erodes hope, how chronic stress distorts our perception of self-worth, an...

In this episode, I sit down with Urs Koenig —leadership expert, bestselling author of Radical Humility , UN peacekeeper, ultra-endurance champion, and professor—to talk about what it really takes to lead well in 2025 and beyond. We dive into: Why humility is the ultimate performance multiplier for leaders The five key shifts from Urs’ book that transform “command-and-control” into resilient, high-...

Forbes says leaders are ditching empathy in favour of hard-nosed results. I say: false dichotomy. Great leaders know people are the path to profits. In this episode, I pull apart the “nice vs. tough boss” argument and show why heart-centred leadership isn’t soft — it’s smarter, more sustainable, and far more effective. Along the way I draw on research and wisdom from Jim Collins, Shawn Achor, Bren...

In July 2017, I had a heart attack brought on by stress and burnout. Six months later, just as I was getting back on my feet, I was hit by a car. I spent three months in hospital with broken bones, unable to move, and doing hundreds of rehab reps from a hospital bed. It was painful. It was stressful. And it forced me to learn how to handle real stress—the kind that shakes your whole life. In this...

Stress isn’t the real problem — it’s what we make it mean. In this episode, I explore how wearable technology combined with AI coaching can help high performers manage stress in real time, break cycles of self-doubt, and boost productivity. I share a client story to illustrate how self-judgment prolongs stress and show practical ways to respond differently in the moment. Then, we dive into how wea...

In this episode, I sit down with Oli Johnson , health tech entrepreneur and co-founder of PrescribeLife. AI —a human resilience platform helping high performers reach their potential without burning out. Oli shares his personal story of burning out as a tech founder , the long road back to health, and how that journey inspired him to build PrescribeLife. His new platform connects wearables and gen...

Burnout hasn’t gone away — it’s just changed shape. Hybrid work blurred boundaries so badly that people are “always on.” AI was supposed to reduce workload, but now professionals feel like they’re running to keep up with the machine. Layoffs and cost-cutting mean “do the job of two people” is the new normal. The numbers are brutal: 66% of employees say they’re burnt out. 85% are experiencing physi...

Ever wish you had a leadership coach in your back pocket—24/7, no judgement, no waiting for an appointment? I've found a way to train my own Dex AI Coach, combining latest technology with my learning from 10,000 coaching sessions.  AI is now ready to play a real role in leading without burnout. It’s not about “pushing you harder” but giving you space, clarity, and control. Discover: - Why AI...

Burnout doesn’t come from doing too much meaningful work.  It comes from being buried in meaningless work. In this episode, we explore deep work — your highest-value contribution. The work only you can do, that moves the needle and brings you alive again. You’ll learn: Why focus and single-mindedness create better results than multitasking How to identify your “zone of genius” and stay in it Pract...

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem immune to burnout, this episode is your roadmap. I’ll walk you through the 10 key attitudes and practices that protect you from chronic stress, overwork, and frustration — and show you how to develop them for yourself. These aren’t quick tips; they’re the personal traits and daily practices that create lasting resilience. You’ll learn why each one matte...

In this episode, Dex introduces systems thinking as a powerful tool for breaking burnout loops. Rather than blaming ourselves for exhaustion, Dex explains how unseen patterns — feedback loops, delays, and misguided leverage — quietly reinforce overwork, perfectionism, and stress. You’ll hear how professionals like lawyers and doctors get stuck in these systems and how small but strategic shifts ca...

Worry can feel like a necessary part of success—but it’s more often a habit that drains your energy, confidence, and focus. In this episode, we explore two ways to cut worry down to size quickly. First, we’ll look at a science-based 4-step protocol from Dr. Steve Bierman’s book The End of Worry, which helps dissolve worry as a reflex. Then, we’ll compare it to a coaching-based approach I use with...

In this episode, I unpack some of the core ideas from The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson — and how they relate (or don’t) to burnout recovery. We’ll explore why the pursuit of positivity can backfire, what “choosing your struggles” actually means, and how to take radical responsibility without shame or blame. You’ll hear my take on: Why you shouldn’t try to care about everything Th...

 Discover 5 powerful mind-body tools that support recovery from stress, anxiety, and burnout. Dex shares personal stories, client experiences, and science-backed modalities including Reiki, EFT, MBSR, Polyvagal-informed practices, and coaching. Whether you’re new to mind-body medicine or curious to go deeper, this episode offers insight, relief, and real tools for healing.  References and Resource...

In this episode on mind-body recovery, Dex explores how physical, emotional, and nervous system practices can help you break the burnout cycle—even when nothing else seems to be working. Forget effort-based solutions. These are small, proven actions that calm your system, rebuild confidence, and reconnect you to purpose—without needing more energy or motivation. You’ll learn: Why most burnout solu...

Burnout changes your brain — literally! In this episode, Dex explains how stress rewires your mind, and how to restore energy, clarity, and joy. You’ll learn: Why you’re foggy, anxious or flat — but not broken The brain science of burnout (amygdala, cortisol, executive function) Practical ways to calm your nervous system and rebuild clarity and drive If you’re feeling numb, stuck or off your game,...

What if energy, stress, and perception held the keys to physical and emotional healing? In this conversation, Dex sits down with Henning R. Jensen , quantum physics author and energy expert, to explore how the subtle forces of thought, emotion, and trauma affect our health, biology, and potential. You’ll learn how quantum principles apply to everyday life—and how understanding your energetic syste...

When someone pushes your buttons—at work, at home, or anywhere—it can feel like all your calm and clarity vanish in an instant. But these uncomfortable moments are not just disruptions; they’re powerful opportunities for self-leadership and burnout recovery. In this episode, I share a personal story of being triggered by my own financial planner, plus a client story from the workplace, to show how...

When the Crown Feels Heavy: Why Promotions Burn You Out (and How to Grow Into Them) Stepping into a new leadership role should feel like a win — so why does it so often feel like stress, self-doubt, and exhaustion? In this episode, Dex reveals the hidden burnout risks that come with promotions, role changes, and leadership transitions. You’ll learn why these exciting career moments often trigger o...