The Energized Hairdresser

So today's episode is one I actually pulled back up, because when I first put it out I framed it as a nervous system episode, and it is that, but honestly it's more than that now. It's about what happens after you clock out of the salon and your body is still buzzing like you never left, or you're just completely empty and don't have a drop left for your own family. Nobody really prepares you for...

In This Episode Ashley talks about: Why hairdressers are not just physically tired after work, but overstimulated from holding conversations, managing emotions, solving problems, standing all day, and being “on.” How home clutter and unfinished tasks can compound exhaustion after a long salon day. Why your house does not have to be spotless to feel peaceful. The difference between a perfect home a...

My GLP-1 Experience, Body Image, and What Actually Changed In this personal episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley shares her honest experience with GLP-1 medications, body image, weight loss, and what actually changed when she stopped chasing “skinny” and started learning how to support her body. This conversation begins back in 2022, around the time Ashley was diagnosed with thyroid issue...

Summary: In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley talks about the invisible mental load hairdressers carry behind the chair and at home. From remembering client formulas, managing conversations, planning dinner, tracking schedules, and holding emotional space all day, this kind of exhaustion is not just “being bad at life.” It is cognitive labor. Ashley breaks down what the mental loa...

Does summer feel more like something to survive than enjoy? Between a full book, kids at home, and vacations to plan, it's easy to let another summer slip by feeling exhausted. In this episode, Ashley gets real about balancing mom life and life behind the chair — and how to be intentional enough to actually enjoy these 8 weeks. In This Episode The summer mindset shift Stop "shoulding" all over you...

Episode Summary Ashley is back after a May hiatus, and she's returning with fresh clarity, a refined mission, and some exciting news for the Energized Hairdresser community. In this welcome-back episode, Ashley gets real about why she took the break (family emergency, sports-season chaos, and a little soul-searching), and shares the major clarity she found about the future direction of her coachin...

All or Something: A Short Reminder for Busy Seasons In this short and honest episode, Ashley shares a real-life reminder for the hairdresser who feels like life is full, work is busy, sports seasons are packed, and taking care of yourself feels hard to fit in. Instead of falling into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking , Ashley introduces the idea of all or something — the mindset shift that helps...

🧠 Summary If you’re ending your salon day completely drained, it might not be your clients—it might be how your schedule is built. In this episode, Ashley breaks down the hidden ways salon schedules contribute to exhaustion, stress, and energy crashes. From overbooking and unrealistic timing to skipped meals and nervous system overload, she explains why so many hairdressers feel constantly deplet...

If you’ve ever come home from the salon feeling exhausted, overstimulated, and somehow still unable to fully relax, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Ashley talks about the nervous system side of salon life that so many hairdressers are living with but rarely putting words to. Because yes, salon work is physically demanding, but that is not the whole story. You are also carrying noise...

If your salon day feels chaotic, draining, or harder than it needs to be, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Ashley breaks down five practical salon systems that can help hairdressers create smoother workdays, reduce decision fatigue, and protect their energy behind the chair. From pre-shift preparation to end-of-day shutdown routines, this conversation is all about building support in...

✨ Summary In this episode, Ashley breaks down why so many hairdressers feel exhausted during their workday, and why it’s not a discipline problem. She introduces the concept of salon systems : simple, built-in routines that protect your energy, reduce decision fatigue, and support your body throughout a fully booked day. Ashley walks through practical, real-life strategies including how to fuel b...

Summery In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley gets real about something every stylist experiences—but rarely talks about: low energy weeks. The kind where you feel off, more irritable, mentally foggy, and not like yourself… while still showing up behind the chair and managing life at home. Many hairdressers label this as being an “empath” or absorbing everyone else’s energy—but Ash...

Episode Description Hairdressers commonly experience a 3pm energy crash during long salon shifts . In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley explains how blood sugar stability, proper fueling, and nervous system support can dramatically improve energy behind the chair. Ever notice how 3pm hits in the salon and suddenly everything feels harder? Your brain is foggy. You’re starving. You...

Summary In this episode, Ashley unpacks why so many hairdressers feel exhausted — and why it may not be burnout at all. She breaks down the difference between emotional burnout and physiological depletion, explaining how unstable blood sugar and inconsistent fueling create metabolic stress that directly impacts mood, focus, patience, and performance behind the chair. Ashley reframes the 4 p.m. cra...

Summary In this episode, Ashley breaks down why more workouts aren’t the solution for exhausted hairdressers. Instead of chasing intensity, she explains how strategic strength training, walking, and intentional recovery support blood sugar stability, hormone health, and long-term energy — especially during perimenopause. Ashley unpacks the hidden stress load of salon life and why stacking high-int...

Episode Summary In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley breaks down the truth about carbohydrates, sugar cravings, and why hairdressers have been taught the wrong story about food. If you’ve ever thought: “Why can’t I stop craving sugar?” “Why do I crash at 3pm?” “Why does willpower disappear after a long day behind the chair?” This episode is for you. Ashley explains how blood sugar...

Episode Summary In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley breaks down why protein is a non-negotiable for hairdressers, not a fitness trend or diet rule, but a foundational tool for energy, focus, and nervous system support. Working in a high-stimulation salon environment often leads to skipped meals, caffeine reliance, and blood sugar crashes. Ashley explains how protein helps stabili...

Summery: In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley breaks down why balancing blood sugar feels so hard when you don’t control your schedule — and why the problem isn’t your workload, it’s the lack of supportive systems. She explains how unpredictable salon days, long gaps between meals, and stress-driven eating patterns impact energy and cravings. Instead of rigid schedules or “perfect...

Summary In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley breaks down the “survival habits” many hairdressers rely on, especially caffeine, skipped meals, and running on fumes behind the chair. She explains how blood sugar balance directly impacts energy, mood, cravings, and long-term health, and why the habits that once worked no longer do. Ashley shares practical, salon-friendly strategies f...

🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley explores why so many hairdressers feel foggy, irritable, or emotionally drained after a long day behind the chair. She introduces the idea of an emotional labor hangover — the mental and nervous-system fatigue that builds from constant conversation, emotional regulation, decision-making, and sensory input throughout the workd...

Episode Summary In this episode of  The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley breaks down what  coaching actually is , and why so many hairdressers feel exhausted  even though they already “know what to do.” She explores the key difference between  education and coaching , explaining why information alone doesn’t create change. Hairdressers aren’t under-educated, they’re overloaded, unsupported, and tryi...

Episode Summary In this episode, Ashley explores why  sleep is one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools  for energy, focus, and emotional resilience behind the chair. For hairdressers, sleep isn’t just about rest — it’s about recovery from the physical and emotional labor the job requires every day. Ashley breaks down how late-night phone usage, inconsistent bedtimes, and “revenge scrolling”...

🎧 A Time to Reset + Set Goals for the New Year The start of a new year doesn’t have to feel rushed, extreme, or overwhelming. In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley Jo Gillan invites you to pause, reflect, and reset before jumping into goal-setting. Instead of chasing pressure-filled resolutions, she encourages a more supportive and sustainable approach—one that honors your energy,...

Episode Show Notes The holiday season in the salon industry often feels extreme—either nonstop busy or unexpectedly slow. In this episode of The Energized Hairdresser , Ashley Jo Gillen walks you through how to take on the holidays without burning yourself out , no matter which side of the spectrum you’re experiencing. This episode is a grounded pep talk and practical coaching session designed to...

Summary In this episode, Ashley Jo Gillan dives into a hard truth:  the salon industry was never designed with the health of stylists in mind.  From nonstop standing, to skipped lunches, emotional labor, and hustle culture, hairstylists are operating in a system that drains their energy and leaves their bodies stressed and overwhelmed. Ashley breaks down the physical and emotional toll of the prof...