From Exhausted to Energized: An Executive’s Story of Grit and Transformation

Laura was a high-flying junior executive at a prominent tech company recognized for her innovative ideas and strategic vision. Within a few years, however, the pressures of her job began to seriously affect her emotional and physical well-being.

Despite her sharp decision-making skills and unwavering determination, she was in a slump. The relentless demands of her high-powered job had drained her once abundant energy and drive. She struggled to find motivation and enthusiasm for her work, feeling like she was just going through the motions.

Some days, getting out of bed felt like a monumental chore.

She knew she needed to change her ways but wasn't sure how or where to start.

Determined to reclaim her mojo, Laura enrolled in an Executive Wellness Coaching Program (which included a 60-Day Executive Wellness Challenge) through the Workplace Wellness Centre of Excellence.

She participated in the Executive Wellness Challenge in the hopes of resetting her mind, body, and spirit and reigniting the fire that had fueled her success in the past. It included a holistic and doable approach to well-being, focusing on daily movement, mindful eating, mental health practices, and self-care rituals.

The first few days of the Challenge were tough!

Breaking old habits and establishing new routines was no easy feat for Laura. Getting up early to exercise, stretch, and meditate felt like an impossible task (and time that could have been spent preparing for her day’s work). But she was committed to seeing it through and knew she needed to start “filling her cup.”

Taking care of herself was not a luxury but a necessity!

As the days passed, she noticed small but profound changes.

Her joints no longer ached, her back pain had subsided, her sinus congestion had disappeared, she had more energy, focus, and clarity of mind, and her stress levels had decreased considerably.

By the halfway point of the Challenge, Laura experienced a renewed sense of vitality and purpose. (She also felt a little remorseful that she had let her well-being take a back seat to her career.)

With each day of the Challenge, her confidence started to return. She found herself tackling work assignments with a fresh perspective and newfound enthusiasm.

Colleagues also noticed a change in her demeanor and creative output and commented on her increased energy, positivity, and pep in her step.

Her leader even complimented her as a shining high performer that month and was considering her for an upcoming Senior Vice President role.

As the 60-Day Wellness Challenge continued, Laura surprised herself by starting to look forward to her daily wellness practices. (Practice being the operative word as some days she slipped but gave herself some grace knowing her new well-being routines were a work in progress.)

Morning exercise and meditation became a peaceful start to her day, giving her a much-needed energy boost.

The healthy meals she started ordering from a food service delivered to her work and home helped nourish her body and mind.

She even started incorporating mindfulness practices into her workday, taking short walks and stretch breaks to clear her head and recenter herself.

Laura had transformed both inside and out!

By the end of the 60 days, she felt like a new person and was committed to prioritizing her well-being and incorporating the lessons she had learned from the Challenge into her daily routine.

Her energy and mojo were back in full force, and she approached her work with a renewed sense of purpose and passion.

This Wellness Challenge and the 1:1 Executive Wellness Coaching she received transformed her emotional and physical health and reignited her drive and motivation to attain that Senior VP position.

Prioritizing her well-being made her a better leader and decision-maker!

Having experienced such a transformation, Laura kept up her daily wellness practices following the 60-Day Wellness Challenge and continued to meet with her Executive Wellness Coach. She knew that doing so was key to maintaining her energy, drive, and success in her personal and professional endeavors and a critical means to achieving that Senior VP role!

Did Laura’s story resonate with you?

Do you have your own wellness success story to share?

If so, we would love to hear it in the Comments below.

P.S. This story was inspired by my current wellness journey as President of a global Workplace Wellness training organization and the challenges experienced by many executives I have coached.

Above is an image of me at the gym this week on Day 12 of my own 60-Day "Spring Into Wellness" Challenge, which I will share more about in the future via this Executive Wellness Wednesday series.

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