High performers often look calm and capable on the outside, while underneath their thoughts are racing and their body is carrying the strain. In this episode, host Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes back psychologist Harriet Iles, founder of Restorative Space Psychology, to explore what's really happening for overthinkers, high achievers and busy professionals, parents and athletes operating at a fast pace.
Harriet explains how high performance often comes with demands from others and from ourselves, and how stress and anxiety build when those demands feel greater than the resources we have to meet them. She also challenges a common belief among high achievers: that the inner critic drives their success.

This episode dives into:

The difference between stress and anxiety, and why a little stress can actually help us perform
Recognising whether the expectations we place on ourselves are driven by our values or by fear
Why being our own cheerleader supports success more than self-criticism does
How connecting to meaning, not fear of failure, helps protect us from burnout
Practical ways to ease the load, from reprioritising and setting boundaries to automating everyday decisions. 

Harriet shares grounded strategies for anyone performing under pressure, along with a reassuring reminder that sometimes we are simply doing too much, and reprioritising is the perfect place to begin.

Connect with Harriet Isles:
https://restorativespace.com.au/

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

• Website: https://drjodirichardson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson