The Secret to Avoiding Burnout: Redefining Yourself with Holly Hughes

Holly Hughes is a TEDx speaker, intuitive healer, and award-winning author dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their authenticity. After years working in TV production, including on Election and 7th Heaven, Holly transformed her life following her viral essay on sexual harassment—published years before #MeToo.

As a coach, Holly leads the Real, Not Perfect Academy, a transformative program designed to help people heal from the past, break free from limiting cycles, and step into their true selves

She also has a bestselling book, REAL, NOT PERFECT.

In this episode:

• Holly shares how redefining yourself is totally normal—like how you outgrow your favorite toys, we outgrow old roles and versions of ourselves too. 
• She shares that living your life being true to yourself is key in avoiding burnout.
• She explains how “balance” is overrated and it’s really about finding a rhythm in your life, especially when things feel out of sync and when you are avoiding burnout.
• Holly talks about tuning into honesty—like really looking at what you want, what you feel, and where you’ve been settling (even if it’s uncomfortable).
• She encourages trying “automatic writing” or asking yourself, “What brought me joy as a kid?” to start reconnecting with YOU again.
• She reminds us that hobbies don’t need to be monetized—just do what makes you lose track of time (she still dances and paints funky chickens!).
• Holly explains how perfectionism often comes from trying to control chaos—especially if you grew up with trauma—and how “busy” can be a sneaky hiding place.
• She shares how self-care isn’t about massages or bubble baths, it’s about doing something that lights you up—even if it’s just pigtails and blasting music in your car.