Burnout to Boldness: Redefining Success and Reclaiming Your Power with Cathleen O’Sullivan

In this must-listen episode, we welcome Cathleen O'Sullivan, a leadership mentor, former high-level corporate leader, and host of the Legendary Leaders Podcast.

After years of 16-hour days and relentless pressure, Cathleen hit what she calls "the corporate wall"—a burnout so severe she had to leave her role.

She shares her deeply personal journey from high-functioning burnout—the stage where you still deliver and are seen as high-potential while cracking inside—to finding her boldness.

Cathleen opens up about the physical, mental, and emotional toll the burnout took, including neglecting herself, experiencing deep fatigue, developing unhealthy habits, and the constant feeling of "not doing enough."

💡 Learn how Cathleen:

• Realized she was in burnout only after literally "cracking open" in a conversation with her manager.

• Learned to stop seeking affirmation and acknowledgment from others.

• Found her turning point by redefining success and letting go of control.

• Discovered the power of choice and how to use her feminine energy to create positive impact.

• Shares practical advice for high-achieving women on setting boundaries, tackling the mental load and "guilt cycle," and pursuing excellence without exhaustion.

This episode is your permission slip to pause, redefine, and embark on your own brand new, bolder journey.

🔗 Connect with Cathleen O'Sullivan:

Website: https://cathleenosullivan.com/
Instagram: legendary_leaders_cathleenos
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-osullivan/

🎙️ Connect with Her Resources Podcast:

Website: https://herresourcespodcast.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herresourcespodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/her-resources-podcast/

⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00:00 | Introduction and Host Welcome
00:04:08 | Hitting the Corporate Wall: Recognizing High-Functioning Burnout
00:12:11 | Physical & Emotional Signals of Burnout
00:15:31 | The Hardest Part: Letting Go of Control and Admitting Weakness
00:17:31 | The Bali Turning Point: Rebuilding and Reconnecting to Self
00:24:36 | Lightning Round: Redefining Power and the Power of Choice
00:26:56 | Balancing Energies: Masculine vs. Feminine in Leadership
00:33:50 | The Mental Load and Organizational Responsibility for Women's Well-being
00:42:07 | How to Set Boundaries and Break the Guilt Cycle
00:48:57 | Do Less, Achieve More: The Power of Intentionality
00:52:18 | Burnout to Boldness: The Full Transformation
00:56:00 | Redefining Ambition: Alignment Over Exhaustion
01:03:06 | Lightning Round: Bold Moves, Boundaries, and Mantras