A Wake Up Call

Today we respond to a powerful listener question that so many people silently struggle with: why does rest feel lazy, selfish, or wrong… even when we know we need it?A working mum of three writes in to share her guilt around slowing down, filling her own cup, and prioritising self-care without feeling like she’s letting everyone else down. Tess and Layne unpack why this guilt is so common, how it’s wired into our nervous system, and why constantly putting ourselves last can quietly lead to burnout, emotional overload, and disconnection.This conversation dives deep into nervous system regulation, boundaries, breathwork, and the small daily practices that help us move out of fight-or-flight and back into presence, clarity and energy.It’s practical, compassionate, and deeply relatable, especially if you’re feeling fried, wired, overwhelmed, or stuck on the hamster wheel.In this episode, we talk about:Why guilt around rest and self-care is so common, especially for womenHow constantly putting others first can actually sabotage your wellbeingThe difference between the sympathetic (stress) and parasympathetic (rest) nervous systemsEarly signs of burnout and nervous system overloadWhy multitasking during rest stops it from being restorativeCreating clear work-life and role-based boundaries to show up more fullySimple daily rituals that genuinely refill your cupWhy silence, stillness and micro-breaks matter more than productivity hacksBreathwork as the fastest way to regulate your nervous systemBox breathing, physiological sighs, and slow exhales explained simplyWhy eating lunch away from your desk is one of the bravest acts of self-careThe role of awe, nature and “touching green” in nervous system recoveryHow moments of awe help you step off the hamster wheelCreating a “love-to-do” list to reconnect with joy and energyWhy rest isn’t selfish, it’s what allows you to show up better for everyoneWe also explore:How to recognise when your nervous system is friedPractical boundaries you can put in place todayWhy scheduling and guarding rest is non-negotiableHow small, consistent resets prevent burnout long-termIf you’ve been feeling tired, overstimulated, guilty for resting, or like you’re constantly pushing through, this episode will help you understand what’s happening in your body and give you real tools to reset.And if you’re listening thinking, “I need support with this,” we share how you can join The Awake Collective for monthly coaching, accountability, community, and practical tools to keep doing the work.Connect with Awake• Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasseshttps://awake-academy.mykajabi.com/awake-collective-sales• Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself• Watch the episodes on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@Awake_Academy_• Follow Layne on Instagram @laynebeachley• Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer• Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy• Book us for a workshop – [email protected]• Awake’s TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_• Sign up for A Wake Up Call for your weekly wake-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one is a must-listen.Today we’re joined by one of the most requested women in the world of female performance and health, Dr Stacy Sims, who is changing the conversation around perimenopause, menopause, women’s training, and energy with science-backed tools that actually work in real life.This episode is deeply personal for Layne, as Stacy’s work helped her feel like herself again, and brought her back to feeling strong, vital, energised and present.We cover the practical tools, the science, and the mindset shifts that help women stop guessing and start understanding what their body actually needs, especially in the perimenopause and menopause years.In this episode, we talk about:Why women’s health has been misunderstood for decades and why data mattersThe biggest myths women have been taught about training and nutritionWhy fasting can be a problem for women (and what it can do to sleep and hormones)How to eat to stabilise energy and reduce the afternoon crashThe truth about “belly fat” and why the obsession with a perfect body is cultural conditioningOzempic/GLP-1s: what we know, what we don’t, and why vanity use is riskyAdaptogens (and what they actually do)Creatine: why it matters for women, brain function, and energySauna vs infrared: what works, how long to stay in, and the mental health benefitsStrength training for women: power, performance, and how to train without “getting bulky”Practical weekly strength structure (and why power is a predictor of healthspan)How partners can support women through menopause: real tools, real conversations, real supportWe also answer listener questions including:How can I support my wife through menopause?How do I prepare for perimenopause without feeling afraid?If you’ve been feeling tired, foggy, flat, not like yourself, or overwhelmed by conflicting advice, this episode will help you feel informed, empowered, and supported.And if you’re listening thinking, “mic drop… I need support with this,” we share how you can join The Awake Collective for monthly coaching, accountability, community, and practical tools to keep doing the work.Connect with Awake• Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasseshttps://awake-academy.mykajabi.com/awake-collective-sales• Get Awake’s transformative book: Know yourself, grow yourself to live a happier more purposeful lifehttps://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869• Watch the episodes on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@Awake_Academy_• Follow Layne on Instagram @laynebeachley• Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer• Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy• Book us for a workshop – [email protected]• Awake’s TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_• Sign up for a wake up call for a weekly wake up call• Sponsor our podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the year comes to a close, we’re slowing things down and doing something a little different.In this episode, Tess and Layne reflect on the year that was, unpack what it really means to reflect rather than rush into resolutions, and explore how intention setting can create more ownership, clarity, and agency in our lives.Layne shares openly about a year defined by growth and frustration, energy and stagnation, and the permission it’s taken to allow contradictions to coexist. Tess reflects on resilience, compassion, and what it means to keep showing up without burning out.Together, we talk about:Why reflection gives us clarity, not avoidanceThe difference between burying emotions and actually processing themHow writing things down creates space and accountabilityAllowing pride and frustration to exist at the same timeCompassion without the need for changeWhy work and rest are not enemiesLetting go of old stories that no longer serve usChoosing a word of the year and what it anchors us toWe also share our words for 2026, how we’re carrying these practices forward, and why intention setting is something best done with people you love.At the end of the episode, we walk you through a reflection and intention-setting framework you can use to create clarity, confidence, and direction for the year ahead.If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone you care about. The best gift you can give a loved one is your self-growth.🎧 Download the Year of Reflection & Intention ToolkitA guided framework to help you reflect, reset, and step into 2026 with purpose.Available now for our New Year campaign.We’ll see you next week and into 2026 as the best version of yourself, no matter where you’re starting from.Happy New Year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you stop looking to be saved, life opens up.In this episode, we sit down with Jess the Medium for a conversation that’s part spiritual, part science, and fully grounded in what we’re actually here to do: wake up, trust ourselves, and live with more ease.We talk skeptics, signs, near-death experiences, grief, dementia, forgiveness, and the “mic drop” moments that remind you… you already know more than you think. Plus, Jess shares practical ways to strengthen intuition (without turning your life into a crystal shop scavenger hunt).You’ll learnWhat mediumship is (and isn’t), and why skepticism is allowedWhy grief, trauma, and “rock bottom” can open a new portal of intuitionThe real reason we keep waiting for validation (and how to stop)How to build self-trust with one simple daily check-in practiceWhy “the magic is in the mess” is more than a cute quoteHow to work with signs without spiralling into confirmation biasA powerful reframe: you don’t need saving, you need trusting🎧 Hit play and remember – you can’t give from an empty cup. It’s time to refill yours.Connect with Awake• Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasseshttps://awake-academy.mykajabi.com/awake-collective-sales• Get Awake’s transformative book: Know yourself, grow yourself to live a happier more purposeful lifehttps://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869• Watch the episodes on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@Awake_Academy• Follow Layne on Instagram @laynebeachley• Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer• Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy• Book us for a workshop – [email protected]• Awake’s TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_• Sign up for a wake up call for a weekly wake up call• Sponsor our [email protected] A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey – not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life.If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast.Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Why am I so exhausted, even from the things I love?”💭 “How do I stop saying yes to everyone else and start saying yes to myself?”💭 “Is it possible to be ambitious without burning out my body, my relationships and my joy?” This episode is for you. In this honest and energising conversation, Tess and Layne dive into the big B word: burnout. Tess shares what it felt like to be the yes girl in her corporate role at Virgin, glued to her desk, paralysed by decision fatigue and with zero hobbies or joy left in her life. She talks about doing double gym sessions, tracking every mouthful of food, then using alcohol to decompress, and the hallway moment where she realised she was completely burnt out from living for output instead of herself. Layne opens up about the day her husband Kirk asked, “Why do I always get the broken Layne” and how that question became a wake up call. She explains how chasing validation and respect after retirement kept her in a constant state of over giving, and how her early story of being “not enough” as a child drove her to prove herself again and again. Together, Tess and Layne unpack the root causes of burnout, from perfectionism and people pleasing to the 3 C warning signs Layne uses now: comparison, craving and self criticism. They break down the science in simple language, explaining why the brain runs on repetition and fear, why 95 percent of your thoughts are recycled, and how negativity bias quietly keeps you on high alert. Tess and Layne then share the tools that helped them reclaim their energy, including a decision making filter based on love not fear, “no not now” and “no not me” boundaries, and creating a joy list so you know exactly what to do with five spare minutes instead of doom scrolling. They also explore why rest is not a reward but a performance tool, how micro breaks and 90 minute work blocks boost memory and focus, and why your messy first step toward rest will probably look imperfect and still count. You will hear about: The difference between being tired and true burnout, and why your body whispers before it screams How perfectionism and being the yes person quietly drain your energy and self worth The 3 C burnout indicators Layne watches for and how to spot your own early warning signs A simple decision making framework to choose from love instead of fear Practical tools to refill your tank, from joy lists and solo coffee dates to micro breaks and structured rest that actually sticks For more resources related to today's episode, check out our podcast episode page.https://www.awakecollective.online/episode-10 Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasseshttps://www.awakecollective.online/awake-collective-sales Get Awake's transformative book: Know yourself grow yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awake-academy-9781761345869Follow Layne on Instagram @LaynebeachleyFollow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwerFollow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academyAwakes TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy_Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contactBook us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact DisclaimerThe A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life.If you're experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you've heard on this podcast.Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.