AFTER years of pushing it to the max in a high performance work environment, without the right balance and support in her life, career woman Deborah Bulcock hit rock bottom with burnout.

With imposter syndrome, perfectionism and people-pleasing all at play, she constantly feared she would be ‘found out’.

The former financial services director consistently worked 60+ hours per week before having the courage to pivot from her successful career to embark on a new career path as a coach and nutritional therapist.

Since taking control of her own health, she has forged another path to help others thrive in work and life.

She details how to make that passage as smooth and pain free as possible in her book: ‘Have It All Without Burning Out’.

The books went straight to number one on the Amazon best seller charts.

It was February 2012 when Deborah felt the full force of burnout.

She found herself paralysed by something, unable and unwilling to move from her bottom step of her home stairs.

She recalls sitting at the bottom of her stairs, elbows on knees, head in hands and tears flowing.

“I’ve just come through the door from work and my tank is well and truly empty. I’m exhausted and emotionally spent, more than I’ve ever known. I hurt everywhere; it even feels like my bones are aching.

“My mind is numb, no longer flowing with all the questions that I’ve been asking myself for some time. What’s wrong with me? Why does everything hurt so much? Why is this happening to me? I’m done. I can’t carry on. I don’t even know how to take the next step – literally – I can’t get up the stairs.”

Deborah excelled at work in her 20s with consistent glowing appraisals, promotions in quick succession and at the age of 27 she was the youngest person to reach the management grade she was at in the history of the company at the time.

“It did, however, raise a few eyebrows and put me firmly in the spotlight,” she added.

After years of performing at the height of her ability, working long hours, constantly proving her worth and not having the right support structures or balance in her life… she hit rock bottom and experienced the full force of burnout.

Within the book, she describes this point in her life as ‘having nothing left in the tank’. She would only have energy for work, would constantly be wearing a false mask of “all is OK” , but deep down she was suffering with extreme fatigue and ill-health, and longed for the weekend – not to party as many other 20/30 something’s were doing – but to recover, sleep and give her brain a rest.

She knew that she had to do something. After many visits to the doctors, Deborah decided to pay for private medical tests, examinations and natural health therapists and found a number of issues that needed addressing.

The main issue being the way that she was living life, constantly pushing on through and neglecting any form of rest and recuperation.

Deborah, now 46, said: “This point was my awakening.

“I knew I had to take control and look at how I was nourishing my body and mind, along with how I was choosing to live my life.

There have been lots of twists and turns as I have navigated this new way of living. I found new things, discarded some and kept going until I found the point of ‘this is it – this is what I want.”

As part of taking control of her own health and wellbeing, Deborah decided to go part-time in her senior role and went back to college in Manchester to study to become a registered nutritional therapist.

This took three years and in 2015 she graduated and her new career path was born. This is when Deborah also decided to move out of her city centre pad and relocate back to the country and found a house in the small hamlet of Sough, ear Earby, where she was born.

She said: “I now let my intuition guide me rather than being overly-analytical and ‘corporate’ – and that is so refreshing.

Just like I did, it’s so important that we all tune in to what’s right for us; what works for your partner, friend, family member, colleague, celebrity… might not be the right avenue for you. Understanding yourself is key to avoiding burnout.”

This week, she is celebrating becoming a global bestseller author after the release of her debut book became a bestseller within hours of its release on the Amazon bestseller charts in occupational and organisational psychology, psychology and educational training, and experimental psychology.

Throughout the book there are opportunities and tools that the reader can interact with to reflect on their own lives, and apply Deborah’s techniques, insight and guidance.

The reader is invited to download free accompanying worksheets from her website - www.deborahbulcock.com/haveitall to help the reader realise and release their own personal and professional potential.

Deborah concludes: ”I hope that it helps readers across the world to re-connect, realise and release both personal and professional potential.

“I have learned what insights and advice typically help people move forwards with their own purpose, passion and joy.

“That’s what I want to share in this book in the hope that I can make a difference.”

The book has been published by the team at Authors & Co, which works to showcase and celebrate empowering stories of women.

The book is available for download from https://amzn.to/33KAgND.