Women’s Health Unwrapped
Episode 160:
Breaking free from the busyness trap
What if the way you’ve always coped is the thing that’s keeping you stuck?
“We’re often waiting for something to go wrong before we decide to care for ourselves. But what if we didn’t wait? What if we protected our energy before the burnout?”
— Nicola Farndell
High-functioning women are often the calm, capable ones on the outside—but inside, they’re quietly falling apart. I know, because I lived that life for years. The way we used to cope in our 30s doesn’t work in our 40s and 50s. Our bodies, our hormones, our capacity—it all shifts. We have to shift with it.”
— Ronél Pretorius
In this episode of Women’s Health Unwrapped:
In this powerful and honest conversation I’m joined by burnout coach Ronél Pretorius to explore the hidden cost of always coping — and why so many high-functioning, capable women are quietly running on empty. Together, we unpack the cultural conditioning that keeps women stuck in busyness, the impact of midlife hormonal changes on emotional resilience, and the quiet signs of burnout that often go unnoticed.
This episode gently challenges the belief that rest has to be earned, and offers a new perspective: that small, intentional habits are often the most powerful way to rebuild from depletion. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to listen to yourself, why boundaries are an act of self-respect, and how you can begin to feel more spacious, energised and connected — even in a full life.
In this episode we’re unwrapping:
Why grounding in the present moment is essential for emotional regulation.
How busyness can become a mask for depletion and what to do instead.
The truth about self-care (hint: it’s not the spa day or the bubble bath).
How to recognise the subtle early signs of burnout before they escalate.
The role of boundaries in protecting your energy, not just your time.
How societal expectations push women to override their own needs.
The two-way link between hormonal shifts and emotional overwhelm.
How the 3A’s framework (Anchor, Acknowledge, Adjust) helps reset stress in real time.
About Ronél Pretorius:
Ronél Pretorius is a certified Women’s Wellness Coach with a professional background in corporate Human Resources spanning nearly 30 years. She holds qualifications in Health Coaching (PreKure), Wellness Coaching (Wellness Coach Academy), Counselling Psychology, and HR Management. After years of working in high-pressure environments, Ronél experienced the cumulative impact of chronic stress, burnout, and what she now recognises as workplace PTSD.
That personal turning point led her to redefine her life and career. Today, Ronél supports high-achieving women who appear to have it all together but are quietly running on empty. Through her coaching, she helps clients implement sustainable self-care practices, reconnect with their values, and find clarity on what they want in the next phase of life—both personally and professionally. Her mission is to guide women back to a place of balance, purpose, and vitality.
Connect with Ronél:
Get Ronél’s free Survival Mode Reset Toolkit
You’ve learned to cope. To push through. To hold it all together.
But lately, you can feel the cracks. You’re tired, unfocused, and stretched too thin. You keep telling yourself it’s just a busy season — but deep down, you know something needs to shift.
This isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing it differently.
The Midlife Reset Quiz helps you:
💛 Spot the habits and hidden stressors quietly draining your energy.
💛 Understand how midlife changes may be affecting your mood and motivation.
💛 Discover one simple shift that can help you feel more clear, calm and in control again.
It takes just 2 minutes — and it might be the most powerful pause you take today.
✨ Take the Midlife Reset Quiz now and choose a better way to support yourself — before burnout makes the choice for you.
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