After my first daughter was born nearly 10 years ago, I realised my body, though young, was not healthy on the inside.

Pregnancy took a heavy toll. I gained over 30kg, and between juggling a newborn, family life, and career ambitions, my health fell to the background. It took over a year to feel somewhat healthy again.

I promised myself I wouldn’t get pregnant again until I was confident in my health. So, I spent the rest of my 20s consistently working on it—and I got healthier, both mentally and physically.

At 29, I experienced a miscarriage. While my physical health was strong, my mental health took a hit. It was a traumatic experience I never saw coming. I returned to work a day later, focusing on my career and physical health, but I brushed aside the emotional wounds.

At 30, I had my second daughter. Despite pregnancy complications, postpartum was a breeze. I was back to working out within weeks because my body was ready. This pregnancy went smoother because I chose myself—my physical and mental health—over career ambitions at the time.

Physical and mental health have been my main focus for over 10 years. My motto has always been “the power of a positive mindset”, but I see things clearer now: mind, body, and spirit (emotions) must work in tandem.

Emotions impact every decision we make, especially when navigating workplace stress and burnout. Delving into this emotional side is the next leg of my personal growth journey.

Ultimately, tackling workplace burnout requires us to look deeper at the emotional wounds we carry. Professional success and emotional well-being aren’t separate tracks—they sustain each other, and we can’t truly thrive in one without honouring the other.

I’m excited to bring this conversation to my professional community, but I’d love to hear your perspective too: How do you navigate the balance between your emotional health and your professional goals?