20h ago

From Corporate Sarah to Sarah Period: The Story Behind the Name.

Sarah Doyle spent years becoming “Corporate Sarah”—a high-performing executive known for her credibility, ambition and ability to deliver. But what happens when your professional identity begins to replace your sense of self? In this conversation, Sarah shares how perfectionism, managing perceptions and sustained pressure contributed to a health crisis in 2021. She reflects on self-abandonment, finding her way back to “Sarah Period,” and redefining ambition around purpose and impact. Listen to hear why managing energy—not just boundaries—can be an important part of sustaining performance without losing yourself. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 01:11 Meet Sarah Doyle: Leadership, Identity & Presence02:36 The High-Achiever Identity02:55 When Work Becomes Your Identity05:37 The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism07:12 The Need to Fit In and Be Palatable and Acceptable in This Environment09:07 Personal Consequences: Tremendous Trauma and Healing10:03 Self-Abandonment and Becoming “Corporate Sarah”11:40 Redefining Success & Personal Values12:00 The Breaking Point: Burnout in 202117:35 When Your Body Says Stop18:44 Finding Your Way Back to Yourself19:06 Ambition Without Allowing Work to Define Us: Purpose and Impact20:00 Managing Energy, Not Just Boundaries21:05 What Leadership Presence Really Means23:02 Connect with Sarah Doyle

Sep 1

She Said No to Another Qualification—After 16 Years

Bethany Rodgers is Director of People at Sheffield Students’ Union and the first woman in her family to attend university. Her love of learning helped her build a meaningful career—and led to 16 years of continual professional development. When she was invited to commit to another qualification, Bethany decided she wanted something different: more time with the people she loves and the freedom to walk her dog without feeling guilty about an assignment. Bethany and Nicola explore ambition, professional growth and the choices we make along the way. Listen for an honest conversation about recognizing how far you've come, enjoying what you've achieved and making room for life beyond work—without giving up on ambition or growth. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Saying No to Another Qualification 01:10 – When Learning Becomes a Need to Achieve 02:34 – Why Ambition Feels Loaded for Women 05:50 – The Grandfather Who Made Learning Possible 07:37 – When Drive Becomes Pressure 09:59 – Qualifications, Credibility and the Cost of Expertise 12:36 – Stopping After 16 Years 13:19 – When Life Feels Too Short to Keep Striving 15:20 – Putting Relationships Before the To-Do List 17:23 – Choosing a Slower Pace and Accepting the Trade-Off

Jul 24

Everyone Thought She Was Fine. She Wasn’t.

Everyone thought Kimberly Lyall was fine. She was leading, rebuilding, and showing up — but behind the scenes, she was carrying an enormous amount of pressure. In this episode, Kimberly shares her experience becoming a CEO at 26, navigating a devastating organizational crisis, and learning what it takes to lead through uncertainty without losing yourself. A powerful conversation about leadership, responsibility, discomfort, and sustaining performance under pressure.

Jun 26

High Performers Hide It Well Until They Can't

In this episode, Robin shares what she actually sees in high performers under pressure: the physical signals that appear long before performance drops, the bio mechanical reality of dopamine spikes and rising cortisol, and why the body eventually stops waiting to be heard. We also get into the "whirling dervish" moment — Robin's image of pulling yourself out of the tornado and standing in the eye of the storm — and her three buckets framework for sustainable performance across mind, body, and soul. A grounded, practical conversation for high performers who want to sustain their best without paying the price later. Ready to do something about it before the crash? Robin O'Grady is an international speaker, corporate culture specialist, athletic trainer, aerial arts performer, and member of the CAPS National Board — and she reads bodies for a living → nicolamccrabbe.com/coaching 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction — Robin O'Grady: speaker, corporate culture specialist, athletic trainer, aerial arts performer, CAPS National Board member01:35 – What high performers look like under pressure — functioning well on the surface while quietly breaking down02:20 – The physical signals — eye twitch, sleep disruption, weight changes, grinding teeth, recurring injuries06:40 – The sleepwalking client story — what happens when the body gets what it needs regardless07:40 – The whirling dervish — pulling yourself out of the tornado and standing in the eye of the storm09:00 – The dopamine spike problem — why achievement culture keeps high performers hooked and cortisol rising14:20 – Recovery when it's already too late — what it actually requires and why people go back too soon19:30 – What leaders can do — gentle awareness conversations and the drip drop approach22:10 – The three buckets — mind, body, soul — and filling all three outside of work26:50 – Robin's closing message — your work needs you, and this vessel is the only one you get

May 21

The Perfectionism Trap and How to Get Out

If you’re a high achiever or leader who looks successful on the outside but feels exhausted on the inside, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of The New Peak Podcast, Nicola McCrabbe shares her personal journey with perfectionism, burnout, and the pressure to constantly prove herself. From growing up on a farm in Ireland to becoming a professor and eventually experiencing burnout twice, Nicola explains how perfectionistic thinking can quietly drain your energy, relationships, confidence, and health — even while you continue to perform at a high level. This episode explores the hidden connection between perfectionism and burnout, why high performers often normalize stress, and how sustainable leadership requires a different approach. If you struggle to switch off, constantly question whether you’re doing enough, or find it hard to enjoy success before chasing the next goal, this conversation will resonate deeply. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome00:44 – How perfectionism took hold02:25 – Perfectionism defined02:45 – What the pressure looked like day to day03:29 – Burnout as a professor03:50 – The cost of perfectionism04:24 – The kitchen table moment04:43 – The link between perfectionism and burnout05:25 – Finding another way forward05:51 – Two habits to practice05:57 – Reducing what's on your plate: focusing on what adds the most value and subtracting the rest07:20 – People pleasing and how to say no07:50 – Managing the inner critic in your head

Apr 30

What 6 Olympic Medals Taught Cindy Klassen About Pressure and Joy

Six-time Olympic medalist Cindy Klassen joins Nicola McCrabbe to discuss the realities of performing under pressure, overcoming setbacks, and sustaining success over time. From getting cut from hockey teams to recovering from a career-threatening injury, Cindy shares the mindset shifts that helped her stay resilient and grounded. This conversation explores leadership, joy, perspective, and what it really takes to perform at a high level without burning out. A powerful episode for leaders, athletes, and high-performers alike. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction01:20 – Growing up in a sports-driven family03:30 – Getting cut from hockey at age eight06:50 – Dreaming of the Olympics in women’s hockey10:10 – Transitioning from hockey to speed skating12:00 – A setback at the beginning of the season – accident on the ice13:50 – Missing the World Cup season and rebuilding hope17:00 – Coming to terms with losing — and moving forward19:15 – Being proud of myself – I did the best I could but didn’t win20:09 – Racing with joy, not fear22:40 – The big moment – when a young boy gave new meaning to racing25:00 – Fun (not worry) is usually when we do our best25:50 – Supporting each other gives a boost to the team27:15 – Drive and effort are key to success29:50 – Stepping away to refresh, get perspective and take the pressure off (drop the media)32:00 – Having a big goal and a little goal for momentum33:18 – Life after sport, identity, and always being the oldest

Apr 2

The "Fluff-Free" Framework for Leading People Without Burning Out

What actually supports employees under pressure? In this episode, Naomi shares insights from her research into employee well-being, revealing that emotional intelligence and communication—not perks—are what truly matter. We explore how leaders can build trust, support their teams, and sustain performance without burnout. A must-listen for leaders navigating high-pressure environments. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:26 – Meeting in Belfast & first impressions02:10 – From HR to academia: the challenge of losing results04:20 – Why employee well-being still isn’t working05:00 – Inside the research: what employees actually need06:30 – What really drives well-being: trust, community & leadership06:50 – Why “wellness perks” miss the mark08:35 – The real reason leaders feel overloaded10:45 – The leadership blind spot: emotional credibility13:00 – Building trust that drives performance13:45 – Naomi’s simple strategy to stay steady under pressure15:55 – The takeaway: communication makes or breaks teams

Mar 19

Leading Under Pressure: What leaders Miss!

Leaders today face constant pressure to perform while navigating rapid change. But how do you sustain high performance without burning out yourself or your team? In this episode of the New Peak Podcast, Nicola speaks with VP of Engineering, Jason Sanchez about leading through acquisitions, spotting early signs of burnout in high performers, and creating environments where individuals can thrive. They explore the importance of trust, intrinsic motivation, and helping people find the work that truly “fills their cup.” 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:15 From Developer to Leadership 03:11 Leading Through Change and Acquisitions 04:30 Adopting a Growth Mindset During Organizational Change 05:53 Spotting Early Signs of Burnout in High Performers 08:25 Building Trust and Supporting Your Team 11:25 When Leadership Becomes Overload 12:50 Empower the Team to Share Ownership 13:30 Recharging Energy and Preventing Burnout 16:00 Intrinsic Motivation and Leadership Alignment

Feb 24

If the Laundry’s Overflowing, You Might Be Too

What happens when you take on everything — and never say no? In this episode of The New Peak Podcast, I’m joined by Natasha Rogers, who shares how carrying too much responsibility gradually led her into burnout. It wasn’t one dramatic collapse. It was subtle. A growing impatience. Feeling stretched thin. Ignoring the quiet warning signs. Until the “dirty laundry” became the breaking point. That overflowing pile wasn’t really about laundry — it was the signal that something deeper needed attention. Together, we explore: • The pressure of always being the responsible one • Why high achievers struggle to say no • The emotional and physical signs of burnout • The moment she realised something had to change • How a trip home created space to reset • Learning to be kinder to yourself • Becoming more intentional about balance and boundaries If you’ve been carrying too much, feeling less like yourself, or noticing the small signs you keep brushing aside — this conversation will resonate. Burnout doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it looks like laundry you don’t have the energy to fold. 🎧 Listen and reflect: What might your “overflowing laundry” be telling you? 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to The New Peak Podcast 00:42 – Life Before Burnout: Living Where You Work 02:23 – Sudden Work Overload & Three Roles at Once 03:19 – Personal Chaos & Family Crisis 04:23 – Early Warning Signs: “I Thought I Was Coping” 05:28 – The Breaking Point: Tears in the Interview 07:18 – Booking a Flight & The Dirty Laundry Moment 10:04 – Recovery Begins: Taking a Real Break 12:06 – Redefining Success & Choosing Joy 14:04 – Advice to Others: Trust Yourself & Speak Up 15:46 – Proud Quitting, Boundaries & Balance 19:16 – Final Reflections: Reflecting on What Truly Matters 📌 Connect & Resources Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rogers/ Take the Burnout Quiz: https://nicolamccrabbe.com/test/burnout-quiz/ Learn more about coaching with Nicola: https://nicolamccrabbe.com/coaching Read Nicola's book - Burnout Be Gone: https://tinyurl.com/4u8jas5u/ Subscribe to The New Peak Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite platform.

Feb 7

Stepping Into Olympic Pressure for the 1st Time

Hi everyone — welcome to the first episode of The New Peak Podcast! I’m Nicola McCrabbe, and my mission is to help leaders, high-performers, and anyone who wants to sustain pressure under pressure without burning out. In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca Ribi, a bobsleigh athlete preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. Recorded just before she hit the track, Bianca shares her incredible journey — from playing soccer, to firefighting, to Olympic bobsleigh — and how she stays resilient, motivated, and focused under enormous pressure. Together, we explore: What it really takes to pivot into a completely new sportOvercoming fear, self-doubt, and setbacksHow to maintain focus, motivation, and trust with your teamRoutines and strategies for peak performance without burning outWhether you’re a high-performer, a leader, or just someone who wants to show up fully in life, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, preparation, and mental strength. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:45 – First Olympics: how it feels right now01:30 – From soccer & firefighting to bobsleigh03:00 – Discovering bobsleigh and stepping into elite sport06:00 – Performing under pressure (firefighting mindset)07:35 – The hardest part of transitioning sports09:28 – Self-doubt, fear, and setbacks10:45 – Learning how to work with fear11:55 – Staying motivated when progress is slow13:30 – When the Olympic dream felt out of reach16:15 – Pushing hard without burning out17:58 – Preparing with less than a month to go20:22 – Trust, teamwork, and teammates21:33 – Standing at the start line: emotions23:23 – What this journey reveals about resilience25:58 – Crossing the finish line

The New Peak

Episodes

From Corporate Sarah to Sarah Period: The Story Behind the Name.

She Said No to Another Qualification—After 16 Years

Everyone Thought She Was Fine. She Wasn’t.

High Performers Hide It Well Until They Can't

The Perfectionism Trap and How to Get Out

What 6 Olympic Medals Taught Cindy Klassen About Pressure and Joy

The "Fluff-Free" Framework for Leading People Without Burning Out

Leading Under Pressure: What leaders Miss!

If the Laundry’s Overflowing, You Might Be Too

Stepping Into Olympic Pressure for the 1st Time

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