| Navigating Burnout in Motherhood, MTB & Modern Life Let’s be real: the world is LOUD right now. Every time I open my inbox, scroll social media, or talk with a friend, I’m hit with a tidal wave of advice: Don’t eat this. Do more of that. Fix your hormones. Fix your gut. Don’t cold plunge. Eat more protein. Take creatine. Meditate. Scroll less. Forgive more. Take magnesium. But not too much magnesium. Lift heavy Etc Etc. And today? I opened an email telling me to stop using lavender and tea tree oil because they’re apparently hormone disruptors. So now essential oils are the enemy too? At one point, I genuinely thrived on this kind of content. I felt like a sponge—soaking it all up, reciting studies, giving (okay, sometimes unsolicited) advice like a walking wellness podcast. But now? I’m full. Overflowing. Tapped out. Not because the advice is wrong—but because the volume of it is exhausting.And here’s the biggest problem: we actually do need it. We’re living in a world that is toxic to our health, and happiness. But trying to keep up with everything we’re “supposed” to be doing? That’s what leading me to burnout. |
| I still get out of bed each day. I go to work, go to the gym. I am going through the motions. Cooking, cleaning, working, homeschooling, smiling. But … I am just running on autopilot. I am just surviving. I am not Living. There are physical signs too. I catch every sickness and struggle to get over them. I’ve had 3 trips to the ER in the last 12months, and before that, ZERO. I keep getting injured when I try to increase my movement. I keep making silly mistakes and being clumsy. I start new projects and finish none. Ive been watching all my passion projects gather digital dust in a Google Drive folder, and my bike slowly become home to cobwebs and rust. It’s watching others live their best life while I feel like mine is slowly coming to an end. The brain fog is nuts! And then there are the emotional signs. I used to think I was burnt out when my babies were newborns. But that kind of exhaustion still carried hope—the hope that it was a phase. That things would get better with time. This time, I feel hopelessness. I’m Pessimistic. I isolate myself. I feel trapped. I cant seem to regain motivation. And so, so much self doubt, i feel like a bird that forgets it can fly. It’s like I have forgotten who I am. |
The Burnout Spiral (and Why It’s Not Just You) Now I know i sound depressed and bleak. And maybe im oversharing. But here’s what I want you to know: It’s all symptoms of burnout. And If you’re feeling flat, foggy, sick or fed up—you are not broken. You’re likely burnt out too. As well as symptoms I’m experiencing above, some Less known symptoms of Burnout include: Muscle aches and pains, Stomach pains, Headaches, Sleep disturbances, Weight gain, Hair thinning Increase in alcohol or drug use or other forms of escapism to cope. And unfortunately, women—especially mums and female athletes—are among the most vulnerable. We carry a mental, physical, and emotional load that can quietly pile up until it suddenly becomes too much. A few things play into why women are more vulnerable: Postnatal depletion: Even years after having kids, your body can still be running on empty nutritionally speaking. Low Energy Availability (LEA): Years of chasing dreams on a bike, hitting the gym and not eating enough causes a massive physiological crash impacting your fertility, thyroid, resilience and ultimately your mental health. Perfectionism and Athlete Brain: The drive to do it all, do it well, and do it without rest. The drive to keep going even when it is not in our best interest to do so. Societal pressure: Be fit. Be successful. Be a great parent. Be everything to everyone and look good while doing it. Changing hormones. Whether its your monthly cycle, pregnancy hormones, postpartum or mid life – hormones absolutely do affect your mood, nervous system and ability to cope (or not cope). Toxic Environment: From pesticides and additives in foods, to tap water, (and even the clothes you wear) toxic relationships, hormonal birth control, wifi and more, everything is designed to make you sick. World conditions:. On top of daily life—motherhood, work, health, relationships—we’re also quietly carrying the stress of a world that feels more uncertain than ever. Women are more sensitive, empathetic and nurturing by nature. Naturally we feel more affected by world conditions. So What’s the Answer?This might sound ironic coming from someone who gives advice for a living—but sometimes, what we don’t need is more advice. Sometimes, we just need space. To be. To breathe. To stop thinking and start feeling good again. What helped me wasn’t a new supplement, a new planner, or a new morning routine.It was finding joy. Riding my bike through the bush, not for fitness or chasing progression—but for freedom, FUN and the beauty of nature. Blasting MY music whenever, wherever I want. Taking naps without guilt. Booking freaking holiday, without guilt. Slowing down, starting “slow” habits and “slow” hobbies, like watercolours, baking, making a veggie garden, learning an instrument, reading novels. Saying “no” to whatever makes me feel crap. Connection. Seeking real connection with real people in real life. Letting my business stay small, even when the world says “grow bigger”. |
We Can’t Change Society Overnight—But We Can Change Our Culture at Home. If the world feels like too much, it’s okay to make your world smaller for a little while. Go to bed early Eat enough, Train smarter, not harder. (or take a break altogether). Scroll less Ask for help Nourish your adrenals (potassium broth, adaptogens, magnesium, kelp) Do something that lights you up, even if it’s “unproductive” (my favourite tip). KNOW THAT YOU CANT CHANGE THE WORLD CONDITIONS. Surround yourself with beauty. (yes it matters). You Don’t Have to Do It All—And You’re Still Enough! Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning light.So if you’re feeling the weight of the world, I want you to hear this: You’re not alone. You’re not failing.You’re not lazy.You just need some space. And some TLC. You don’t have to keep pushing. Sometimes the bravest and biggest thing you can do is slow down. Do less. Have fun. Ride your bike. Turn off the crap. Make your world beautiful again. The world is beautiful. Take a trip. Sleep in. Read a book. You’ve got this. And if you don’t right now—that’s okay, too. Feel free to reach out if you relate to this. Or if you know someone who is struggling, reach out to them too. You Got This, Ali xx |
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