My Burnout Story
My Burnout Story
Hi, I’m Barbara Pastori. Passionate transformational coach, burnout survivor, former overachieving Director, polyglot, and unapologetic neuroscience nerd. I’m based in beautiful Barcelona, Spain — but I love travelling, so you never know where I’ll call from or what stories I’ll have to share. And let’s not forget, I can’t live without good food — I’m Italian, after all.
Burnout has been my greatest teacher — and my fiercest rival. It brought me to my knees twice, forcing me to rethink everything. But I came out stronger, more content, and more vibrant than ever. And now, I’m here to help ambitious women like you do the same.
I’ve always been driven — some might say a little too driven. By 20, I had waved goodbye to my small Italian town and set out to conquer the world. Along the way, I picked up four languages, top marks at international universities, and a deep love for living in fast-paced global capitals. By 29, I was already leading two departments as a Director in an international company. On paper, my life sparkled. But inside? I was burning the candle at both ends — with a blowtorch.
I’ve always been driven — some might say a little too driven. By 20, I had waved goodbye to my small Italian town and set out to conquer the world. Along the way, I picked up four languages, top marks at international universities, and a deep love for living in fast-paced global capitals. By 29, I was already leading two departments as a Director in an international company. On paper, my life sparkled. But inside? I was burning the candle at both ends—with a blowtorch.
The Stress Cycle
The first time burnout hit, I did what any high-achiever would do: I powered through. Insomnia? There’s coffee for that. Gnawing anxiety? A glass of wine will fix it. Paranoid in social settings? You're just too fat Barbara, hit the gym and stop complaining.
I ignored the signs, the constant fatigue, the brain fog, the emotional eating — pushing harder, working longer, and telling myself I could handle it. I miraculously muscled my way out of bulimia, relied on anxiety pills to hold it together, and forced myself to squeeze in some yoga and mindful eating practices to get some relief. The moment I felt better, I stopped prioritising my mental health, convinced it had just been a tough couple of years. "I probably just needed to move again, go somewhere sunnier". And so I did. Spoiler alert: it didn't work.
The second time, burnout wasn’t just exhaustion — it was a total collapse.
I thought I could take a break, meditate a little, and bounce back. Instead, I couldn’t even sit with myself for ten minutes. My days spiralled into panic attacks, constant anxiety, and a deep sense of overwhelm. I would zoom out for hours, sitting in my towel after a shower, unable to move. Either stuck on the sofa binging series or crying for unclear reasons.
The Turning Point
In my lowest moments, I decided to stop pretending and start rebuilding. I finally accepted help and began taking antidepressants for a few months — not as a solution, but as a way to get a break from the panic attacks and give myself space to heal. Then, my inner nerd kicked in. What if I could figure out how burnout works?What if I could rewire my brain and stop the cycle for good? Cue my deep dive into countless courses, frameworks and practices. From neuroscience, psychology, spirituality to somatic treatments, Gestalt art therapy and personal coaching. I studied how stress rewires the brain, how trauma lives in the body. I discovered the magic of non-verbal expression, body work and group healing.
Slowly, I started piecing my life back together. I reframed my relationship with work, reconnected with my body, and found joy in unexpected places — painting, hiking, even designing costumes and playing music. Plot twist — I also discovered that a lot of my struggles were consistent with the symptoms of ADHD in women, who often go undiagnosed. My overthinking, my relentless drive, and my tendency to hyperfocus on solving problems, the constant need for validation and intensity. I felt such a relief, I could finally stop arguing with myself, I made peace with my inner child that just could not sustain the rhythm and the neglect I put her through for over a decade. For the first time in years, I felt like me again.
With this mindset shift locked in, the rest came naturally. I decluttered my life, putting firm boundaries with relationship that didn't serve me. My addictive trait has seriously quieted, and I deeply connected with my intuition and empathy
— that's how I knew it was time for a professional change. It became obvious that what I wanted was to help other women like me, to gain awareness, learn how to operate their body and mind, and get the full and meaningful life that they always wanted.
Where I Am Now
Am I perfect? Absolutely not. But here’s the difference: I bounce back faster. I know how to spot toxicity and clear it out. I’ve built a support network that lifts me up, and I’ve learned to make bold, aligned choices without second-guessing myself. Life still throws curveballs — bad breakups, health scares, moments of doubt — but I’m proud of how I handle them. Resilience isn’t just something I talk about; it’s something I live. And every woman I have the chance to help along the way reminds me of the gift I gave myself, and lights up the sparkle of my fulfilment and motivation.
Why I share my story
Today, I use my story as proof that change is possible. Burnout is what happens when you have felt unsafe for such a long time that your mind loses the ability to even perceive safety. Our mind is stuck in constant state of hyper-vigilance and worry. We miss out on a smile from a loved one, on a sunset. We lose sight of our desires, and we feel stuck. The best we can do is to get by until tomorrow.
But here’s the good news: you can break free.
The tools I discovered are now the foundation of how I help ambitious
women like us reclaim their energy, clarity, and joy.
Because you deserve more than survival mode. You deserve a life where thriving is the norm.
Let’s rewrite your story together
— with passion, resilience, and maybe a little European flair.