Hi GSD Leader 👋

There’s a fine line between passion and addiction, especially when you love what you do. For years, work was my drug of choice. I didn’t chase success; I chased that feeling of progress, of creating, of building something meaningful. But without boundaries, even the things you love can break you.

What starts as drive can quietly turn into depletion. You tell yourself, “I’ll rest later.” But later never comes. You say yes to everything because it all matters. Until your body, your energy, and your joy start saying no for you.

That’s what happened to me. The signs were there long before I noticed them. The exhaustion, the brain fog, the inflammation, the weight gain. Stress was running the show, and I didn’t even realize how dangerous it had become. Chronic stress is the root of so many diseases as it erodes your immune system, impacts your hormones, and accelerates aging. It’s both mental and physical burnout.

I learned that balance can exist, but it’s not something that magically happens. It’s something you choose and plan for. Healing isn’t a single moment; it’s a decision you make every day to protect your peace, your time, and your energy.

We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and measures worth by what we produce. The assets, the accolades, the endless output. But we rarely stop to ask: Is this fueling me, or draining me?Because every decision you make with your energy — the people you spend time with, the work you do, the boundaries you hold — is either giving life or taking years off of it.

So maybe the real measure of growth isn’t how much you’ve achieved, but how much life you still have the energy to enjoy.

That’s the heart of this feature. It’s not about milestones or accomplishments, it’s about meaning. I’m deeply grateful to the team at Nashville Voyager for inviting me to share my story, because it’s not just mine. It’s the story of every leader, entrepreneur, and dreamer learning to measure what truly matters.

If something here hits home for you, if you’ve felt that pull to slow down, to realign, to redefine what success looks like? Take this as your sign to start. Choose boundaries. Choose breath. Choose balance.

Because wellness isn’t the reward for hard work, it’s the foundation that makes meaningful work possible.

💛  Thank you to Nashville Voyager for the feature and the opportunity to share this journey. I hope it inspires you to measure what truly matters.

👉 Read the full Nashville Voyager article HERE!

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