Episode #15: Turning Pain Into Purpose with Dr. Sarah Lyle

Have you ever felt like you’re running at full speed but still not moving forward? 

This episode dives deep into the world of high-achieving individuals and how their coping mechanisms, often celebrated by society, can mask deeper struggles with trauma and burnout. 

Dr. Jan Newman welcomes Dr. Sarah Lyle to unpack the nuanced relationship between trauma, emotional processing, and performance-driven lifestyles.

We explore how high achievers channel unresolved trauma into productivity, often at the expense of their emotional health.

 Dr. Lyle shares her journey into psychology, emphasizing the importance of recognizing emotional signals and fostering a healthy relationship with emotions. 

Together, Dr. Newman and Dr. Lyle discuss how these patterns manifest in high-functioning individuals and why addressing underlying emotional triggers is vital for long-term well-being.

In This Episode

• [00:02:53] Dr. Sarah Lyle’s origin story: how personal loss shaped her passion for psychology.

• [00:09:15] The influence of family and culture on career choices and service-oriented values.

• [00:26:28] Transitioning from traditional career paths to private practice: insights from Dr. Lyle’s postdoc journey.

• [00:32:26] How high achievers use work and productivity to avoid emotional pain.

• [00:34:02] The role of avoidance in trauma and why it can seem functional short-term but harmful long-term.

• [00:39:06] Recognizing burnout in high achievers: early signs and misconceptions.

• [00:47:03] Why emotions are essential and how disconnecting from them leads to deeper issues.

• [00:50:14] Practical strategies for leaning into emotions and fostering resilience.

• [00:50:41] How addressing emotions reduces their intensity and helps build a healthier life