The Charlene Gisele Show

Charlène Gisèle
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

The show for successful professionals wanting to achieve career excellence without the stress. Join former high-powered lawyer turned executive coach Charlène Gisèle as she guides you to the pinnacle of balanced career success. Drawing from her experience helping professionals overcome burnout and manage anxiety, Charlène shares research-backed frameworks, transformative mindset shifts, and science-based tools to help you optimize performance, prevent burnout, and sustain excellence in demanding roles. Learn how high achievers strengthen resilience, recover like elite athletes, focus deeply,

  1. 2h ago

    The Gut-Brain Axis: How Stress, Sleep, & Nutrition Shape Performance

    What does your gut have to do with how well your brain performs? More than you might think. And if your stomach acts up before a big meeting, your gut may be responding to the same stress that is affecting your brain! Kiran Krishnan, research microbiologist with over 20 years of experience in health and nutrition, has conducted more than 50 human clinical trials on digestive health and the microbiome. He co-founded Microbiome Labs and now co-founds five other health and wellness companies, and has published in peer-reviewed journals and written chapters for global medical textbooks. In this episode, we explore the gut-brain axis and why the relationship between your gut and brain goes both ways. Kiran explains what stress can do to digestion, why chronic stress can contribute to leaky gut, and how poor sleep, stress, diet and other lifestyle factors can affect the health of your gut microbiome. We also unpack the five practical pillars he recommends for improving gut health, including fiber, polyphenols, stress management, sleep, exposure and supplementation, with simple strategies that can actually fit into a busy professional life.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 02:41 Why brain performance depends on gut health 05:12 How the gut repairs the brain during sleep 08:02 The gut brain axis as a two way superhighway 11:39 How stress physically disrupts digestion 16:45 Stress, inflammation and leaky gut 19:10 What exactly is leaky gut? 30:32 Common signs and symptoms of leaky gut 34:20 Why you can assume you have leaky gut 36:28 The habits that make leaky gut worse 38:43 The five pillars for improving gut health 1:00:25 How to get deeper into Kiran's work   What We Cover Why the brain needs a healthy gut to repair itself overnight How the gut brain axis works as a two-way communication highway Why stress can trigger bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and other digestive symptoms What leaky gut actually means Why leaky gut is linked to anxiety, depression, joint pain, and blood sugar issues The everyday habits that quietly worsen leaky gut, from alcohol to poor sleep The five pillars of gut health Why fiber and polyphenols are the most powerful tools for gut repair How movement, even in small bursts, lowers stress and supports the gut Why sleep quality matters more than sleep quantity for gut and brain repair The gut-brain connection and cognitive performance Practical strategies for high performers who do not have time for a complete lifestyle overhaul   Key Takeaways Your gut and brain are in constant communication. What happens in one can influence the other. Stress physically damages your gut. Chronic stress is a major driver of leaky gut and the inflammation that follows. Leaky gut has a real name. Metabolic endotoxemia is the clinical term, and it is linked to conditions far beyond digestion. Stress does not stay in your head. It can directly affect how your digestive system functions. You don't need to overhaul your life. Small, consistent changes to diet, movement, stress and sleep can make a meaningful difference. Fiber and polyphenols matter. They help support the bacteria and compounds involved in maintaining the gut barrier. You cannot supplement your way out of poor lifestyle habits. Supplements come last, after the foundations are in place.   Guest Resources Learn more about Kiran Krishnan: https://www.sivcare.com   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

  2. 6d ago

    Performance Psychology: What Elite Sport Teaches Us About Performing Under Pressure

    What if the biggest difference between a great performance and a poor one isn’t your ability, but the mindset you bring into the moment? Dan Abrahams, sport and performance psychologist, has spent the last 20 years working with some of the best sports competitors in the world, including as consultant psychologist for Aston Martin F1, Lead Psychologist for England Golf and England Rugby, and psychologist at six Premier League clubs. He is the author of four bestselling books, including Soccer Tough, which Gareth Bale credits with changing his life. In this episode, we explore why the psychology of elite sport has so much to teach us about performance in the corporate world, why elite performers are often the ones most at risk of burnout, the three pillars Dan uses to build sustainable high performance, and why you cannot force a great performance no matter how much pressure you put on yourself. Dan breaks down his game face technique for building instant confidence under pressure, explains why establishing meaning beyond your career is essential before a major transition, and shows how the exact same mental frameworks used by elite athletes apply directly to boardrooms, client meetings, and high-stakes negotiations. This episode is about performance psychology, burnout, confidence, identity, and why the pressure to perform perfectly is often what stops you from performing well.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 04:14 Why the greatest performers are most at risk of burnout 09:55 How to balance ambition with rest and recovery 10:48 The three Ms: mindset, mastery, and management 16:19 Navigating identity transitions and retirement 23:06 Using purpose to build a deeper sense of meaning 25:54 Managing performance anxiety and sleep before a big day 38:00 Overcoming imposter syndrome and confidence erosion 39:01 The game face technique for instant confidence 53:58 Why visualisation can feel uncomfortable and how to use it anyway   What We Cover How to build a high-performance mindset without becoming consumed by outcomes The role of rest and recovery in sustainable performance How to create your own Game Face for high-pressure situations Using visualization and mental rehearsal without making it feel “woo-woo” What elite sports psychology can teach lawyers, executives, investors and other high performers What sports psychology actually involves, beyond just mindset Why the hardest workers and most intense competitors are often the most burnout-prone The difference between practising and performing, and why corporate life is performance-heavy The three Ms framework   Key Takeaways You cannot force performance and you cannot control outcomes. You can only control your mindset going in. Quality beats quantity. Mastery comes from purposeful, deliberate practice, not simply doing more. Recovery is part of performance. Rest and recuperation are essential to sustaining high performance. Build multiple sources of meaning. Your profession can be central to your identity without becoming your entire identity. Create a Game Face. Define the qualities you want to embody under pressure, then use them as a practical performance blueprint. Your psychology is embodied. Confidence and mindset show up in how you move, communicate, decide and execute.   Guest Resources Check Dan’s website: https://danabrahams.com Listen to The Sport Psych Show podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Pf4uOIQJhbel1kYNzz39z Get Dan’s new book, Compete: https://hawksmoorpublishing.com/book/compete-developing-a-mental-playbook-for-performance-under-pressure-in-sport-dan-abraham   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

  3. Sep 4

    HRV, Nervous System & Burnout: Why You’re Exhausted & How To Listen To Your Body

    What if your pursuit of better health, performance, and longevity could actually become another form of stress? In this episode, Salim Najjar, founder of The HRV Guy, brings the lens of an engineer to the human nervous system, guiding CEOs, founders, and elite performers toward nervous system sovereignty using heart rate variability as the compass. After raising his own HRV from 32 to over 100, he created the A.R.T. of the Heart framework, a path to turning stress into an ally rather than an enemy. After years of pushing his body through intense biohacking, minimal sleep, endurance training, fasting, and relentless optimisation, Salim experienced burnout and discovered HRV as a completely different way of understanding his body. What began as an obsession with optimising a number on a wearable eventually became a practice of listening to his nervous system rather than trying to control it. This episode is about HRV, burnout, biohacking, nervous system health, and why your body's wisdom is the only guru you will ever need.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 04:06 Salim's transition from corporate to nervous system work 05:27 Losing his father and the roots of his type A drive 07:48 Launching a beverage company and discovering biohacking 10:04 Finding HRV and the science of cellular inflammation 17:50 What HRV actually measures and why it matters 25:11 The five pathways and Salim's HRV journey from 30 to 170 39:44 Pathway one: sleep as the foundation 43:14 Pathway three: reframing and the shoulder dislocation story 47:38 Pathway four: intentionality and purpose 52:36 How to apply the five pathways as a busy executive 58:06 How long to track HRV and which device to use   What We Cover The hidden downside of extreme biohacking Why high achievers can become addicted to optimisation How burnout can happen even when you're “doing everything for your health” What HRV is and why it can be useful How to use HRV as a language rather than a performance metric The five pathways of nervous system sovereignty How hormetic stress can build nervous system capacity The power of reframing difficult experiences How community and relationships influence nervous system health How to use wearables without becoming obsessed with the data   Key Takeaways Chronic stress is the leading cause of cellular inflammation, which drives most aging and disease. HRV is a language your nervous system speaks to you, not a score to compare against anyone else. Your relationship to a stressful event can change your physiology as much as the event itself. A minimum of three months of consistent tracking is needed before HRV data becomes genuinely useful. The best HRV device is the one you will actually wear consistently, not the most accurate one. Sleep creates the foundation. Hormetic stress builds capacity. Reframing changes your relationship with reality. Intention creates alignment. Community amplifies it.   Guest Resources Take Salim's free HRV archetype quiz: https://thathrvguy.com/hrv-quiz Explore Salim's courses and coaching: https://thathrvguy.com/offerings   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

  4. Aug 26

    Fertility, Egg Freezing & Embryo Banking for Career-Driven Women with Dr. Sasha Hakman

    You built the career, the title, and the financial independence you always wanted. But did anyone ever tell you what that timeline was costing you biologically? Dr. Sasha Hakman, double board-certified OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist, helps driven, career-focused women understand their fertility before it is too late to act on it. We explore why so many ambitious women delay motherhood without understanding the trade-off, why female age remains the single biggest predictor of reproductive success, and what it means to plan your fertility the same way you plan your career. Dr. Hakman breaks down egg freezing versus embryo freezing, shares her own fertility journey as a career-driven physician, and explains the regret she hears most often in her practice. This episode is about fertility, career and motherhood, egg freezing, and why understanding your own biology is one of the most powerful things a high-achieving woman can do for her future.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 03:07 Sasha's mission and who she helps 04:04 What infertility actually means 06:13 The main causes of infertility and how they have evolved 11:43 Why women are trying to conceive later than ever 17:25 Why female age matters and why that is not anti-feminist 22:27 Egg freezing versus embryo freezing explained 28:36 The right age to consider egg freezing 33:29 The most common regrets Sasha hears from patients 36:43 How to get a fertility evaluation 37:31 The biggest lesson from Sasha's own fertility journey   What We Cover What infertility means medically and how the definition has recently changed The most common physiological causes of infertility, including PMOS (formerly known as PCOS) and endometriosis Why the rate of infertility has increased significantly in just a few years The real physiological trade-offs in delaying motherhood for career reasons The biological reason egg quality and quantity decline with age The real difference between freezing eggs and freezing embryos Who is and is not a good candidate for egg freezing at different ages The regrets a fertility doctor hears most often from patients in her practice Why a fertility evaluation before trying to conceive can save time and heartbreak How to stay emotionally grounded while going through fertility treatment   Key Takeaways Female age is the single biggest predictor of reproductive success. You are born with all the eggs you will ever have, and egg quality declines well before quantity runs out. Freezing your eggs gives you full autonomy over your future fertility, regardless of what happens in a relationship. At 43, it typically takes around 50 eggs to produce one chromosomally normal embryo. Unexplained infertility affects 15 to 20 percent of couples, and around 40 percent of those cases trace back to endometriosis. Guest Resources Learn more about Dr. Sasha Hakman: https://www.sashahakmanmd.com/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashahakmanmd/   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

  5. Aug 21

    The Seven Types of Rest: Why Sleep Is Not Enough When You Burnout

    When did you last feel truly rested, not just physically, but in every part of who you are? Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, board-certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and bestselling author of Sacred Rest, shares the framework that has helped over 500,000 people identify and recover from the specific types of rest their body and mind are missing. We explore why sleep alone cannot solve the kind of exhaustion most high performers carry, how rest deficits show up differently depending on who you are and the work you do, and why so many driven professionals are producing at a high level while running dangerously close to empty. Dr. Dalton-Smith breaks down all seven types of rest, from physical and mental to emotional, social, creative, sensory, and spiritual, and explains what depletion in each area actually looks and feels like. This episode is about rest, burnout, performance, recovery, and why learning to restore yourself is one of the most strategic things a high achiever can do.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 03:10 Why rest is not the same as sleep 04:43 The seven types of rest and why they matter 08:51 Rest deficits, anxiety, and burnout 15:29 How to identify your personal rest deficit 19:06 Rest needs in relationships and couples 27:07 Breaking down each type of rest: where to start 27:31 Physical rest: signs, symptoms, and how to recover 32:12 Mental rest deficit and how to quiet a busy brain 46:09 Emotional rest and the cost of professional emotional labour 49:35 The difference between trauma dumping and emotional rest 50:28 Creative rest and why it matters for leaders 55:19 Spiritual rest and reconnecting with purpose 57:33 Sensory rest and digital overload   What We Cover Why sleeping and resting are not the same thing, and why that distinction matters The seven types of rest and what depletion in each area looks like in real life What physical rest actually involves beyond sleep, including body ergonomics and movement Why mental rest is often the area where high achievers are most depleted How emotional labour at work creates a hidden rest debt that follows you home The difference between trauma dumping and true emotional rest Why creative rest is relevant for leaders even if they do not consider themselves creative What spiritual rest means for people without a religious practice How sensory overload compounds burnout, especially for neurodivergent high performers   Key Takeaways Sleep cannot fix a creative, emotional, or social rest deficit. You need the right type of rest, not just more rest. Lying down is physical rest. But if your brain is still running, you are not mentally resting. Your area of daily struggle is often a direct signal of where your rest deficit is. Identifying your partner's rest needs is as important as knowing their love language. You can be visible without posting anything yourself. Engagement matters as much as output. True self-care is not pampering. It is knowing yourself well enough to protect what you need.   Guest Resources Take the free rest deficit quiz: https://RestQuiz.com Get the Sacred Rest book by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith: https://amzn.to/4jwa8xN Visit Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s website: https://DrDaltonSmith.com   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

  6. Jun 29

    LinkedIn Strategy & Personal Branding: How to Get Clients & Grow Your Network

    Did you know your LinkedIn profile is losing you clients before you've even had a chance to speak to them? In this conversation, Steve Bruce, one of Asia's leading independent LinkedIn trainers, shares how senior executives, business owners, and corporate teams can use LinkedIn to build visibility, attract the right clients, and grow their business without feeling like they're selling. We explore why so many high-achieving professionals have outdated profiles that are quietly costing them opportunities, how LinkedIn works as a relationship tool rather than a sales platform, and why being visible online is no longer optional, even for the busiest people in the room. This episode is about LinkedIn, personal branding, visibility, networking, and why the professionals who don't tell their story are leaving business on the table.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 01:26 Why LinkedIn still matters after 20 years 03:24 What busy senior executives get wrong about LinkedIn 05:02 How to build a 100% complete LinkedIn profile 06:20 The biggest LinkedIn profile mistakes 09:00 Why your headshot matters more than you think 13:30 How to use your LinkedIn banner like a billboard 15:35 Can you be too salesy on LinkedIn 26:07 Imposter syndrome and LinkedIn comparison culture 33:58 The four pillars of LinkedIn success 51:00 Is LinkedIn Premium worth it 57:23 How to follow up without feeling pushy   What We Cover Why an incomplete LinkedIn profile is quietly costing you clients The difference between a tidy profile and a truly effective one Why your headshot, banner, and bio do more work than you think How to write about yourself in a way that feels natural, not salesy The four pillars of LinkedIn success and how they work together How to stay visible on LinkedIn without posting every day Why engaging with other people's content matters more than most people realise How to use LinkedIn alongside in-person networking for better results Whether LinkedIn Premium is worth it and what it actually gives you How to follow up and start conversations that don't feel like a pitch   Key Takeaways Your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression a potential client gets of you. An outdated photo, missing banner, or third-person bio is quietly working against you. You don't have to post every day to be visible. Engaging with others counts. The four pillars are a strong profile, targeted connections, active presence, and strong relationships. You can build a presence on LinkedIn in as little as 15 minutes a week. The goal isn't to sell. It's to stay on the radar until the client is ready. Guest Resources Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/upgradeyourprofile/   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

  7. Jun 22

    Home Decluttering: How to Reduce Stress, Mess & Decision Fatigue

    What happens when the state of your home starts reflecting the state of your nervous system? In this conversation, Kylie Thorley, professional organiser and declutter coach, shares how she helps driven women create calmer, lighter homes and lives through simple, sustainable systems that reduce overwhelm and restore clarity. We explore the powerful link between clutter, mess, burnout, and decision fatigue, and why so many high-achieving women can be highly organised at work while feeling completely overwhelmed at home. Kylie explains the difference between mess and clutter, why every item in your home carries a hidden cognitive cost, and how creating better systems can change not just your space, but how you feel in your daily life. This episode is about home, stress, identity, motherhood, marriage, and why decluttering is often about far more than getting rid of stuff.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 01:04 What a declutter coach actually does 02:41 Kylie's story and how she became a declutter coach 05:37 How stress, clutter, and relationship strain became connected 08:53 The link between burnout, overwhelm, and home environment 09:57 The difference between mess and clutter 14:31 Why high-achieving women can be organised at work but overwhelmed at home 25:08 Why it is so hard to let go of things 30:08 Room-by-room clutter hotspots and where to start 56:39 How to handle children's clutter and model better habits 1:03:30 Kylie's top decluttering advice for getting started 1:10:31 How to work with Kylie and join her community   What We Cover The connection between clutter, burnout, and mental overload The difference between mess and clutter Why women often feel in control at work but not at home How identity and memory make it harder to let go of things The most common clutter hotspots in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces How to help children build better habits around tidying and ownership How to start decluttering in a realistic way when life already feels full Why better home systems can improve not just your space, but your relationships and energy   Key Takeaways Mess can often be tidied, but clutter keeps recreating the same problem. Every item in your home carries a hidden mental and practical cost. Decision fatigue does not stop at work. It follows you home. A tidy space is not always a decluttered space. Letting go of things is often about identity, memory, and past versions of self. The best way to start is small, simple, and specific. You do not need to overhaul an entire room to make meaningful progress. Decluttering can change more than your home. It can change how you feel in your life. Guest Resources Join Kylie’s supportive community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/declutteryourhomewithkylie Book a free 30-minute alignment call with Kylie: https://calendly.com/declutteryourhome-withkylie/30min   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

  8. Jun 5

    Style & Wardrobe Strategy: Why Buy Clothes We Do Not Wear and What to do about it!

    What if the real problem is not that you have nothing to wear, but that you cannot actually see the value of what you already own? In this conversation, Bianca Rangecroft, CEO of Whering, shares how she built a platform designed to help women digitize their wardrobes, style what they already have, and reduce the daily stress of getting dressed. We explore the psychology behind wardrobe paralysis, why so many women hold onto clothes they no longer wear, and how clothing can become tied to identity, aspiration, and emotional decision-making. Bianca explains how Whering helps users shop their own wardrobe, make better buying decisions, track what they actually wear, and build more confidence in their personal style without relying on constant consumption. This episode is about style, decision fatigue, identity, overconsumption, female entrepreneurship, and how technology can help busy women feel more in control of both their wardrobe and their mornings. Timestamp 00:00 The wardrobe crisis and why having more clothes does not solve it 01:37 Bianca’s background and the vision behind Whering 05:17 Whering’s mission and why wear count matters 06:37 The psychology of why women struggle to let go of clothes 10:19 How Whering helps with style paralysis and outfit decisions 16:16 How Whering can help the busy high-achieving woman who stress shops 24:13 Can Whering help beyond workwear and into fitness, travel, and everyday style? 29:21 Whering vs using generic AI for style advice 34:24 Bianca’s own weekly outfit planning system 37:20 How style evolves through body changes and different life seasons 42:39 Privacy, wardrobe sharing, and the fear of being judged 47:51 Bianca’s journey as a founder and what Dragon’s Den taught her 1:01:25 What Bianca would say to the woman who says she has no time for the app What We Cover Why so many women feel they have a full wardrobe and nothing to wear The emotional and psychological reasons people hold onto clothes How clothing becomes tied to identity, aspiration, and past versions of self How Whering helps users digitise, organise, and style their wardrobe Why shopping your own wardrobe can reduce overconsumption How AI and human styling input can work together How to think about clothing as an asset class, including cost per wear How style changes across different life stages, body changes, and seasons The privacy concerns that come with digitising your wardrobe What it takes to build and scale a female-led tech company Key Takeaways A wardrobe full of clothes does not automatically create clarity or confidence. Many clothing decisions are emotional, not practical. Digitising your wardrobe can help reduce stress, overbuying, and decision fatigue. Shopping your own wardrobe is often more powerful than buying something new. Style support works best when it reflects both data and personal context. Clothing can evolve with you through different phases of life. Feeling more in control of your wardrobe can create more calm in your day. Building a startup requires resilience, conviction, and the ability to keep going through rejection. Guest Resources Visit Bianca Rangecroft’s website: https://whering.co.uk/ Follow Whering’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whering__/ Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rangecroftbianca/   Connect With Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter: https://charlenegisele.com/newsletter/

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About

The show for successful professionals wanting to achieve career excellence without the stress. Join former high-powered lawyer turned executive coach Charlène Gisèle as she guides you to the pinnacle of balanced career success. Drawing from her experience helping professionals overcome burnout and manage anxiety, Charlène shares research-backed frameworks, transformative mindset shifts, and science-based tools to help you optimize performance, prevent burnout, and sustain excellence in demanding roles. Learn how high achievers strengthen resilience, recover like elite athletes, focus deeply,

Information

  • Creator
    Charlène Gisèle
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Charlène Gisèle
  • Show Website
    The Charlene Gisele Show

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