Project Joyful

High-performing women often hold the emotional weight of their teams and organisations - quietly, constantly, and at great personal cost. In this episode, Tracy Tutty dives deep into the hidden world of emotional labour at work. You'll discover how hyper-empathy, people-pleasing, and unconscious caregiving patterns may be shaping your leadership more than you think. Tracy reveals how this often-in...

Are you using your strategic brilliance to hide? In this episode of the Project Joyful podcast, Tracy Tutty explores how high-level thinking can quietly become emotional avoidance - especially for high-performing women in leadership. We often think strategy keeps us on track. But when strategy becomes our default response, it can disconnect us from our instincts, our people, and even ourselves. Tr...

In this episode of Project Joyful , Tracy Tutty, Neuro-Identity Coach and Medical Herbalist, explores the adaptogenic power of Schisandra chinensis. Traditionally known as the "five-flavour berry," Schisandra has long been used to enhance vitality, endurance, and stress resilience. Now, science confirms what folklore always knew: this berry supports liver detoxification, mitochondrial energy, emot...

What if your sharpness didn't have to come at the cost of your sanity? What if your power didn't have to spike, crash, and burn? In this episode, we're reimagining what high performance actually looks like - beyond the sprint-recover-repeat cycle. Tracy unpacks the invisible cost of leading from pressure, the emotional toll of bringing overdrive home, and the subtle cues that reveal when your nerv...

If you've ever found yourself holding back in meetings, hesitating before giving feedback, or wondering why praise feels more awkward than affirming… this episode is for you. Today, we're talking about the quiet identity split that happens when you're promoted from within and suddenly you're not "one of the team" anymore. You're their leader. And even though your title has changed, your nervous sy...

You said you trusted them. You handed over the work. And yet - there you are, rewriting the Board paper or adjusting the PowerPoint "just a little." This episode is for the high-achieving woman who can't stop touching what she's already delegated - and knows it's costing more than just her time. Inside, we explore: How the Re-Do Reflex sneaks in under the guise of "standards" Why redoing your team...

If your leadership edge feels dulled by constant overdrive, you're not alone. In this episode of Project Joyful, medical herbalist, Tracy Tutty, introduces you to one of her favourite herbal allies - Gotu Kola. Known for centuries as a rejuvenator for the mind, and now confirmed through modern research, Gotu Kola supports mental clarity, stress recovery, and even long-term brain health. We'll expl...

You're sleeping, but you're not resting. You're performing, but you're not leading. This is the exhaustion your to-do list can't fix. In this episode, we're unpacking a version of tired that goes far deeper than sleep debt. We'll explore: Why cortisol spikes are waking you at 3am How high-functioning hyper-responsibility drains your leadership edge The quiet cost of over-preparing, over-performing...

Welcome to Project Joyful 's 200th episode! 🎉 Whether you've been here from the start or just tuned in - thank you. We're celebrating this milestone with a conversation that hits at the core of high performance: why switching off is harder than it should be. If you've ever logged out, ticked the boxes, even scheduled rest time… and still felt "on"? This one's for you. In this episode, we explore:...

What happens when being the reliable one - the safe pair of hands - starts to feel anything but safe? In this episode of Project Joyful, Tracy Tutty explores the hidden cost of high performance and the subconscious contracts that keep you in overdrive. If you've ever felt like you need to hold everything together just to justify your role, this one's for you. What you'll learn: How hyper-responsib...

Think you're just being thorough? You might be running on identity fatigue. In this episode of Project Joyful , Tracy explores the subtle ways control masquerades as leadership—and how that pattern slowly depletes your energy, presence, and influence. From late-night reviews to filtered meeting responses, this episode unpacks the hidden cost of leading from tension. You'll learn: Why high-performi...

Reishi isn't just trendy - it's transformational. Discover how this herbal ally helped Tracy move from burnout to steady brilliance in leadership and life. Reishi ( Ganoderma lucidum ) is more than a wellness trend. For high-performing women navigating pressure and productivity, it can be a lifeline. In this episode, medical herbalist Tracy Tutty shares her own journey with Reishi, from corporate...

Episode Summary: You walk into the room like you own it—because 99.9% of the time, you do. But what about that 0.1%? The tiny pause before approving a decision. The over-polishing of your presentation. The tension when someone else takes the spotlight. In this episode of Project Joyful , we explore how even the smallest trace of doubt—when left unprocessed—can ripple through your leadership. What...

You pride yourself on being composed, competent, and in control. But what if the tension you're carrying isn't just yours? What if your leadership is being quietly shaped by emotions you haven't even had time to feel? In this episode of Project Joyful , we're unpacking one of the most persistent myths in high performance: the belief that you can compartmentalise your personal and professional life...

Feeling worn out from all the decisions you have to make as a leader? You might think it's decision fatigue… but what if it's something deeper? In this episode, we explore identity fatigue —the hidden cost of high performance that no one talks about. You'll discover why your energy might be draining faster than expected, even on days that look manageable on paper. We'll unpack: What identity fatig...

Discover why deep leadership exhaustion isn't about stress - it's about presence, and how to restore yours. 👉 You're not tired because you're weak. You're tired because your leadership energy is leaking — and no one teaches you how to see it. When your nervous system isn't fully aligned with the seat you've earned, presence is disrupted. And when presence is disrupted, your team feels it — whethe...

There's a reason Rosemary has stood the test of time - not just in the kitchen, but in the apothecaries of scholars, healers, and leaders alike. This is more than an herb. It's an ally - one that supports the very qualities today's high-performing women need most: mental clarity, calm presence, and sustainable energy. In this episode, I'll introduce you to Rosemary's leadership edge -the subtle wa...

In this episode, we're flipping the script on change management. Forget frameworks that only address the mind - lasting transformation starts in the body, moves through the nervous system, and only then lands in your mindset. We're talking about why: 💡 Your body needs to feel safe before your mind can believe change is possible 🌿 Energy isn't just about time—it's about capacity (and how adaptoge...

Procrastination is something that every manager and health-centred leader faces, but few truly understand. We often label procrastination as the silent saboteur of our goals – the reason projects stall and potential remains untapped. But what if everything you thought you knew about procrastination was only half the story? In this episode, we're unravelling the paradox of procrastination and how i...

Discover practical work practices to help high-achieving professionals maintain their energy levels. Perfect for health-centred leaders, Tracy shares her expert insights as both an executive coach and medical herbalist. Key Takeaways: Herbal Allies : Incorporate adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola and nootropic herbs like Ginkgo biloba to enhance cognitive function and build resilience during stressfu...

Tracy Tutty explores the transformative power of embracing small, daily purposes instead of fixating on discovering one grand life purpose. Key Takeaway Points: Living in the Present: Tracy emphasises the importance of being present and experiencing life's small moments rather than obsessing over finding a single, overarching purpose. Daily Purpose: Adopting daily purposes, such as connecting with...

We're delving into the fascinating world of Motherwort—also known as Leonurus cardiaca , or "heart of a lion." We'll explore this remarkable herb's rich history as both a women's healer and a heart tonic, uncovering its traditional uses to steady the heart, calm anxiety, and support women through all stages of life. Medical Herbalist, Tracy Tutty, shares insights from both traditional Western Herb...

Lets talk about the importance of nervous system regulation, self-care, and leadership. This week, we're exploring the power of self-awareness as a fundamental leadership strategy. Host, Tracy Tutty, shares her own experiences of navigating a hectic period, delving into the challenges of maintaining nervous system regulation amidst stress, and the misconceptions around what it truly means to be re...

This week we shine a spotlight on oregano ( Origanum vulgare ), revealing its rich history, science-backed health benefits, and practical tips for daily use. Discover why this"joy of the mountain" herb is cherished for more than just culinary flair. Key Takeaways: Broad Spectrum Healing: Oregano boasts antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it effective for...

In this episode of Project Joyful: The podcast for Health-Centred Leaders we are delving into the recurring cycle of exhaustion among high achievers. Tracy Tutty, a medical herbalist and executive coach, shares how leaders can break free from the burnout loop without changing jobs. Joined by Angelique Binet, this episode explores the root cause of the exhaustion many leaders face. Key Takeaways: U...