In this powerful episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, Estelle Read sits down with mental health speaker and former HR professional Laura Iles to explore what it really takes to move from surviving to thriving. Laura shares her personal journey through fibromyalgia, complex PTSD, and ADHD — and introduces her Triple A framework (Acceptance, Accountability, Authenticity) as a practical roadmap for leaders navigating chronic illness, trauma, and burnout. Packed with honest insight on workplace mental health, trauma-informed leadership, and nervous system regulation, this conversation challenges the myth that personal and professional lives stay neatly separate — and offers a compassionate, actionable path toward healing out loud, leading with empathy, and reclaiming your identity when it's been stripped away.What You Will Learn 💡 The Triple A System unpacked — how Acceptance, Accountability, and Authenticity form a step-by-step framework for shifting from survival mode into genuine thriving, and why skipping any stage keeps you stuck 💡 Practical energy-management strategies Laura uses to work with her body instead of against it 💡 How to lead through mental health conversations without getting it wrong — Laura's three tips for leaders: listen to understand (not to respond), validate feelings without fixing, and offer reassurance without shame — so your team feels safe, seen, and supported Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth! Estelle Read Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:14) Welcome & What to Expect (02:29) Episode Overview & Content Warning (02:29) Interview – Meet Laura Iles (16:32) Laura's Story – Living with Chronic Illness, Trauma & Burnout (1:18:20) Pause, Reflect & Act – Mini Coaching Practice (1:18:51) Coaching Questions with Laura Iles ⚠️ Content Warning This episode contains open and honest discussions about childhood sexual abuse, suicide ideation, complex trauma, and chronic illness. These topics are discussed with care and intention, but please look after yourself as you listen. If anything in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, support is available: Samaritans — Call 116 123 (free, 24/7, UK & Ireland) NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) — 0808 801 0331 MIND — 0300 123 3393 | mind.org.uk Crisis Text Line — Text SHOUT to 85258 ⭐Download My Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Follow or Contact Laura Iles: IG: @Surviving2Thriving_Laurailes FB: '@Surviving2Thriving Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-iles-4767981a/ ⭐Follow Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee ⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call: https://estelleread.com/resources/ ⭐Estelle Read’s Coaching Programmes: ⬆️The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL 🎇The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE ⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book: Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress ⭐Subscribe to Estelle Read’s Blog: Receive my free workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, when you sign up. ⭐Help Us Keep Growing & Going: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen or watch, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Thank you ❤️. ⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube: 🎧Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://estelleread.com/podcast/ 📺Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts ⭐Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.
