What if success wasn’t something you chased but something you redesigned?
Welcome to Re-Imagine Success, the podcast for ambitious, overworked professionals who are done performing hustle culture and ready to rewrite the rules. Hosted by Nabeela Elsayed a former C-suite executive turned leadership advisor and burnout rebel, this show dives deep into the messy truth behind achievement, productivity, and the modern obsession with being “on” all the time.
Each week, we unravel the burnout loop, explore how our relationship with work got so broken, and offer real, honest strategies for building a life that actually feels like yours.
Expect candid solo episodes, sharp insights, unfiltered conversations with bold thinkers, and the occasional twinkle of humor because clarity doesn’t have to be clinical.
Whether you’re in mid-career mayhem, post-burnout recovery, or leading a team while secretly drowning, this podcast is your weekly permission slip to slow down, question everything, and reimagine what a successful life really looks like
reimaginesuccess.substack.com (https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Publisher
Burnout ends here. Redefining work, worth, and what really matters.
Numbing : Boundary or Blackout? | Re-Imagine Success with Nabeela Elsayed
Have you ever caught yourself saying "I don't have time for this," "I'm indifferent, you decide," or "I can't talk about this right now" — and called it a boundary?
What if it wasn't?
In this episode, I'm talking about one of the most misunderstood symptoms of burnout — numbness. It's dangerous precisely because it disguises itself as something healthy. It wears the costume of boundary setting, sounds like discipline, and looks like prioritization.
But numb is not calm. And in this episode, I'm going to show you exactly why.
We'll explore:
The difference between a real boundary and an emotional blackout
Why your nervous system reaches for the "off switch" — and why it's not your fault
The spectrum of numbing: from indifference to disregard to neglect
What John Gottman's research on stonewalling reveals about overwhelm
Why the same dimmer that dims the pain also dims the joy
How to find your way back to feeling — gently and sustainably
This isn't about doing more or trying harder. It's about understanding what's actually happening inside you — and giving yourself the compassion and clarity to find your way back.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Christina Maslach's three dimensions of burnout
John Gottman's Four Horsemen and the concept of "flooding"
Bessel van der Kolk's "The Body Keeps the Score"
Anna Lembke's "Dopamine Nation"
The three nervous system states: mobilized, collapsed, and safe
ARE YOU READY TO BREAK FREE FROM BURNOUT?
Pre-Order my International bestselling book: Breaking Burnout wherever books are sold.
🔗 Learn more: Breaking Burnout (https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/breaking-burnout)
BREAKING BURNOUT — NOW ON GOODREADS
If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for you to add my book Breaking Burnout to your "Want to Read" shelf on Goodreads. It takes 30 seconds and helps other readers find it.
📚 Search: "Breaking Burnout by Nabeela Elsayed" on Goodreads
CONNECT WITH NABEELA:🌐 Website: www.nabeelaelsayed.com (http://www.nabeelaelsayed.com)📩 Substack: Re-Imagine Success📱 Instagram: @nabeelaelsayed (https://www.instagram.com/nabeelaelsayed/)💼 LinkedIn: @NabeelaIxtabalan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabeelaixtabalan/?originalSubdomain=ca)
ABOUT RE-IMAGINE SUCCESS
Re-Imagine Success is a podcast and community for high achievers who are ready to stop running on empty and start living with clarity, balance, and purpose. Hosted by Nabeela Elsayed — executive coach, former COO of Walmart Canada, former CHRO of IKEA US, and author of the international bestselling book Breaking Burnout.
New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe so you never miss one.
If this episode helped you, please leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it. It helps more people find this conversation.
Until next time — take care of yourself, and those around you.
In partnership, Nabeela
#ReImagineSuccess #Burnout #NumbIsNotCalm #WomenLeadership #BreakingBurnout #MentalHealth #Boundaries #Authenticity #Leadership #Wellbeing #Nabeela #OvercomingBurnout #WorkLifeBalance #HighAchiever #SustainableSuccess
Get full access to Re-Imagine Success at reimaginesuccess.substack.com/subscribe (https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
18 Nov 2025
The Gift of Struggle: Why Your Biggest Setbacks Might Be Your Greatest Advantages
What if your hardest moments weren’t setbacks — but preparation? In this powerful conversation, Nabeela Elsayed sits down with Bobby Herrera, author of The Gift of Struggle, to unpack how adversity shapes purpose, leadership, and character. Bobby shares the unforgettable story of a stranger’s kindness on a basketball bus that changed the trajectory of his life — and how that single act led him to build a multi-hundred-million-dollar company rooted in community, compassion, and gratitude. Together, they explore: • Why struggle is the most honest form of progress • How to find strength and clarity in hardship • The difference between being rich and being truly wealthy • How leaders can care more for people than what they do • Why boundaries and rest are essential forms of strength • The simple act that can change someone’s life forever
💬 “Your struggle isn’t your story’s villain — it’s your story’s hero maker.”
If you’ve ever felt like an underdog, wrestled with burnout, or questioned whether your struggle has meaning — this episode will help you see challenge as fuel, not failure.
🎁 Challenge of the Week: Write down your biggest struggles and what each one taught you. You can download the free reflection worksheet here: https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free--learning-from-your-struggles-tool (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free--learning-from-your-struggles-tool)
📰 Read more at reimaginesuccess.substack.com (http://reimaginesuccess.substack.com)
📘 Learn more about Bobby’s book The Gift of Struggle at bobbyherrera.com (http://bobbyherrera.com)
Chapters:
00:00 The Bus Story That Changed Everything
02:00 The Gift of Struggle 06:00 Growing Up the Son of a Bracero
10:00 Discovering Purpose Through Adversity
13:00 The Fine Line Between Hard Work and Overwork
17:00 Learning to Rest When You’re Wired to Work 22:00 Team One vs Team Two: Redefining Leadership
30:00 Family, Community, and Vulnerability in Leadership
40:00 The Power of One Kind Act
45:00 Hope, Heritage, and Generational Strength
55:00 Leadership That Puts People First
57:00 Final Reflections About Re-Imagine Success: A movement challenging toxic productivity and redefining what it means to thrive across all domains of life. Join us as we explore sustainable success through the lens of human sustainability.
FREE TOOLS & RESOURCES
🧠 Achiever Persona- Discover what kind of Achiever You Are - Take the 5 min Quiz for Free → https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free-achiever-persona-assessment (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free-achiever-persona-assessment)
Executive Presence Self Assessment - Download for Free → https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/get-your-free-executive-presence-self-assessment- (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/get-your-free-executive-presence-self-assessment-) EXPLORING EXECUTIVE COACHING
📕 Learn More Here: https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/executive-coaching-package- (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/executive-coaching-package-)
BOOK NABEELA FOR A KEYNOTE OR CONSULTING Email My Booking Agent Christy Here: clawrence@nabeelaelsayed.com (mailto:clawrence@nabeelaelsayed.com)
CONNECT WITH ME 💌 Join the Re-Imagine Success Community on Substack, where I share more tips, insight and research on how to re-imagine success: https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com/ (https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com/)
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nabeelaelsayed/ (https://www.instagram.com/nabeelaelsayed/)
👨💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabeelaixtabalan/?originalSubdomain=ca (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabeelaixtabalan/?originalSubdomain=ca)
🌍 My website: https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/ (https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/)
💌 Email Me: https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/contact (https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/contact)
🎯 Key Insights: • Why we all need "spiritual defibrillators" to jolt us back to life • The difference between routine and self-destructive inertia • How intentional disruption prevents life from imposing pauses through crisis • Building daily, monthly, and yearly recalibration practices • The radical act of pausing in a productivity-obsessed world
Get full access to Re-Imagine Success at reimaginesuccess.substack.com/subscribe (https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
31 Oct 2025
"I Want My Husband Back": When Success Starts Destroying Your Identity
Chester Elton: From Workaholic to Gratitude Guru "I want my husband back. This isn't who you are." Sometimes the most important career advice comes from the people who love us most. In this powerful conversation, Nabeela sits down with Chester Elton—bestselling author, executive coach, and the "Apostle of Appreciation"—to explore his journey from competitive workaholic to gratitude expert, and why he believes no success in business can compensate for failure at home. About Re-Imagine Success: A movement challenging toxic productivity and redefining what it means to thrive across all domains of life. Join us as we explore sustainable success through the lens of human sustainability.
FREE TOOLS & RESOURCES
Burnout Assessment Guide: Are you Burnt Out or Just Exhausted? This Free Assessment Tool Will help You Figure it out → https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free-burnout-assessment-tool (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free-burnout-assessment-tool)
Achiever Persona- Discover what kind of Achiever You Are - Take the 5 min Quiz for Free → https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free-achiever-persona-assessment (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/free-achiever-persona-assessment)
Executive Presence Self Assessment - Download for Free → https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/get-your-free-executive-presence-self-assessment- (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/get-your-free-executive-presence-self-assessment-)
EXPLORING EXECUTIVE COACHING 📕 Learn More Here: https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/executive-coaching-package- (https://stan.store/nelsayed/p/executive-coaching-package-)
BOOK NABEELA FOR A KEYNOTE OR CONSULTING Email My Booking Agent Christy Here: clawrence@nabeelaelsayed.com (mailto:clawrence@nabeelaelsayed.com)
CONNECT WITH ME
📰 Join the Re-Imagine Success Community on Substack: https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com/ (https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com/)
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nabeelaelsayed/ (https://www.instagram.com/nabeelaelsayed/)
👨💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabeelaixtabalan/?originalSubdomain=ca (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabeelaixtabalan/?originalSubdomain=ca)
My website: https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/ (https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/)
Email Me: https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/contact (https://www.nabeelaelsayed.com/contact)
🎯 Key Insights:
• Chester's transformation from competitive salesperson to abundance mindset leader
• The intervention moment: "I want my husband back" - when work was changing who he was
• Why "winners never quit" mentality can become toxic and when to move on
• The Marshall Goldsmith lesson: Choose collaboration over competition
• How Chester's upbringing with extraordinary parents shaped his gratitude philosophy
• Why setting boundaries on work is essential, even when you love what you do
• The power of rituals: meditation, faith, and "be kind, be grateful, be of service"
• Clayton Christensen's boundary story: "I don't work on Sundays"
• Why 95% of AI implementations fail (hint: they put technology before people)
• The parable of the merchant at the gate: "You'll find what you're looking for"
Additional Resources • Chester Elton's books: "All In," "The Carrot Principle," "Leading with Gratitude," "Anxiety at Work" • Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches program • Clayton Christensen's "How Will You Measure Your Life?" • The Culture Works consulting ⏰
Timestamps:
00:00 - How Chester became Nabeela's mentor and shared his wisdom
03:15 - Growing up surrounded by extraordinary people 06:30 - The competitive sales years and scarcity mindset
09:45 - The intervention: "I want my husband back"
13:00 - Why loving your job can become dangerous
16:30 - The Marshall Goldsmith abundance lesson
19:15 - Chester's daily mantra: "Be kind, be grateful, be of service"
22:45 - Clayton Christensen's Sunday boundary story
26:00 - Why workplace well-being apps often fail
29:30 - The loneliness epidemic and building rituals that ground you
33:15 - Setting boundaries on the thing that defines you
36:45 - What do you want on your gravestone?
40:00 - The merchant at the gate parable: You find what you're looking for
Get full access to Re-Imagine Success at reimaginesuccess.substack.com/subscribe (https://reimaginesuccess.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
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