Burnout to Overflow: Benita Williams Reveals the True Power of Rest for Leaders

Seek Go Create - The Leadership Journey for Christian Entrepreneurs and Faith-Driven Leaders

Are you a leader who’s always taking care of others but rarely making time for yourself? In this episode of Seek Go Create, host Tim Winders sits down with Benita Williams, the “self care surgeon,” to unpack the root causes of burnout, the burden of constant caregiving, and the transformative power of leading from a place of rest and alignment with God’s purpose. Benita shares her personal journey from performance-based exhaustion to supernatural stewardship, revealing how true self care impacts leadership, identity, and lasting success. Tune in if you’re ready to break free from running on empty—and discover what it means to thrive from the inside out.

"The highest form of faith is rest—willful surrender, not forced by circumstance, but chosen from the heart." - Benita Williams

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

Benita Williams, known as the "Self Care Surgeon," is a leader in the field of self-care, stewardship, and holistic well-being for executives, entrepreneurs, and caregivers. With over twenty years of experience in nonprofit executive management, Benita brings a deep understanding of leadership, responsibility, and the challenges of burnout. Drawing from her journey as a caregiver and her faith-driven approach, she specializes in guiding high-performers to break free from performance-based exhaustion and align with a restorative, purpose-filled life. Benita empowers leaders to thrive by integrating physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, making her a sought-after expert for those seeking sustainable success and radical alignment with their true calling.

Reasons to Listen:

1. Discover a deeper, faith-based definition of self care as Benita Williams, the “self care surgeon,” reveals how true self care is about radical alignment with God—not just spa days and surface-level fixes.
2. Hear Benita’s powerful personal story of burnout, caregiving, and career shakeups, including the life-changing moment when she realized her pattern of performance-based living was unsustainable.
3. Gain practical tools and mindset shifts for leaders, entrepreneurs, and caregivers to move from relentless self-effort into restful stewardship—plus learn the surprisingly simple yet transformative practices she recommends for intentional rest and holistic well-being.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

1. Benita Williams' Website - benitawilliams.com - Visit Benita’s website to learn more about her coaching, resources, and to schedule an appointment.
2. Spiritual Business Retreats - Benita mentions attending a spiritual business retreat that was pivotal in her journey. While no specific retreat is named, listeners may benefit from seeking out similar faith-based business retreats in their area.

Action Steps for Listeners:

1. Prioritize Rest and Self-Care - Begin by scheduling intentional periods of rest and reflection throughout your day. Try practices such as Benita’s 90/20 rule: work with focused intent for 90 minutes and then take a 20-minute break to recharge.
2. Assess Alignment in Your Life - Evaluate whether your physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects are in harmony. Identify one area that feels out of alignment and brainstorm a small step you can take this week to move closer to balance.
3. Seek Community and Guidance - If you are struggling with burnout or feeling overwhelmed in a leadership or caregiving role, reach out for support. This could be through connecting with a coach like Benita, attending a spiritual retreat, or engaging with resources and community on podcasts like Seek Go Create.

Key Lessons:

1. True Self-Care Is Deep Alignment - Benita redefines self-care as more than just pampering or surface routines. For her, true self-care means being in total alignment—physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually—all at the same time. Achieving this harmony is essential for a fulfilling life and effective leadership.
2. Rest Is a Divine Principle, Not a Luxury - Rest isn’t just a break or a reaction to burnout; it’s a gift and a command from God. Benita shares her journey of learning (sometimes the hard way) that embracing rest is an act of faith and stewardship. Rest is about trusting God to sustain you, not relying solely on your own strength or constant activity.
3. Caregiving Requires Boundaries and Self-Love - Many leaders and caregivers pour themselves out for others but neglect their own needs. Benita candidly discusses the dangers of caregiving without boundaries, emphasizing the importance of recognizing your own value, setting limits, and practicing self-kindness to avoid exhaustion and resentment.
4. Let Go of Performance-Based Leadership - Benita speaks from experience about the trap of performance-based leadership, where identity and worth are tied to how much you achieve. She highlights the shift from ownership and self-effort toward stewardship—understanding that your talents, influence, and responsibilities ultimately belong to God, not you.
5. Awareness and Intentional Pause Are Critical - One of Benita's most practical lessons is the importance of cultivating awareness—being in tune with your body, emotions, and spiritual state. Intentional habits like scheduled rest cycles (the 90/20 rule), journaling, and moments of stillness lead to greater clarity, creativity, and overall well-being.

These lessons make this episode a powerful listen for any leader, caregiver, or high achiever seeking to thrive from a place of rest, purpose, and alignment.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Self-Care and Alignment

00:44 Meet Benita Williams: The Self-Care Surgeon

01:48 Benita's Personal Journey and Family Background

06:11 The Role of Caregiving in Benita's Life

13:42 The Concept of Rest and Its Importance

19:13 The Breaking Point: Burnout and Realization

22:50 Pre-2014 Leadership Mindset

29:56 The Power of Surrender

30:53 Forced Surrender and Life Changes

32:18 Diagnosis and Health Challenges

33:46 Transition to Self-Care Surgeon

34:36 Entrepreneurship and Self-Healing

35:44 Birth of 'Restination'

38:37 Working with Leaders and CEOs

41:43 The Importance of Self-Care

48:12 Practical Self-Care Tips

54:36 Encouragement for Caregivers

57:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:

🎙 Unlock Leadership Excellence with Tim

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Thank you for listening to Seek Go Create!

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Overcome Leadership Challenges with Tim Winders

Feeling overwhelmed in your leadership journey? You're not alone. Tim Winders, your SeekGoCreate host, is here to guide you through those tough moments as an experienced executive coach. From mastering team dynamics to making strategic decisions and fostering personal growth, Tim offers the support you need to break through barriers and achieve what once seemed impossible. Don’t let challenges define your leadership. Book a free Discovery Coaching Call with Tim today and take the first step towards a path of greater success and satisfaction. It's time to transform your challenges into opportunities.

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