About the Podcast

Burnout: A Different Kind of GAP Year podcast is a monthly podcast released on the Thursday of the first week of the month. Each month showcases either a guest who comes on the show and shares their personal experience of burnout to recovery or a knowledge-based episode where an expert guest or I, a psychologist, share skills and strategies to prevent or overcome burnout.

My Burnout Story

Most of us take a gap year in our late teens or early 20s...not me; I started mine at age 41. For 20 years, I worked towards or as a Clinical Psychologist. One day in February 2021, I had a complete breakdown. I was mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted and unable to keep working. Looking back, I can see my mental health decline was a gradual build over time, culminating in the events of Feb 2021. I now know I suffered from burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and possibly depression, which are readily found in caring roles. I learned early on that it would be helpful for me to talk to other people who may have or are experiencing similar declines in their mental health. With this in mind, I started to think it would be great to have a Podcast where I interview these individuals about their burnout experiences to raise awareness and break the stigma associated with experiencing mental health challenges. Be a springboard for change in community attitudes and the attitudes towards getting much-needed help. What could be more important than ensuring our emotional and mental well-being? It’s like what the plane safety briefing tells you before taking off “you need to put the mask on yourself before you can assist child/others.”

Stay in Touch

Thank you for listening to the podcast. You can show your support by liking, sharing, and leaving a comment. To stay up-to-date with new releases, content, etc., go to

Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnoutadifferentkindofgapyear

Facebook: www.facebook.com/burnoutadifferentkindofgapyear

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-swales-577a2145/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCrY3G2neqQLELtnzc566w

You can keep up to date by SUBSCRIBING at: www.adifferentkindofgapyear.com/contact

Share Your Story

If you’d like to share your burnout to-recovery experience or you are an expert working in the field of burnout syndrome and would like to share your wisdom, please email me at [email protected]

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, tips, etc., expressed in this podcast by myself or my guests are not a replacement for personalised therapy. Just like I have done for myself, I encourage those of you who are suffering to seek professional help. Please read the Important Information segment at www.adifferentkindofgapyear.com/about that provides more detail on what Burnout: A Different Kind of GAP Year services are all about.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.