Turning Pain into Power: Rebecca Dickenson on Boundaries, Burnout & Brave Choices

Tell Her

In this powerful episode of The Tell Her Podcast, host Sharni Knighton sits down with Rebecca Dickenson, an industry-leading hair professional and entrepreneur, to explore the emotional side of service-based careers, personal growth, and the power of human connection.

Rebecca opens up about how hairdressing is more than just a job it’s about creating safe spaces, navigating vulnerability, and knowing when to protect your energy. She shares how her own experiences with burnout, toxic relationships, and life-changing decisions like cutting ties with her family led her to discover resilience and redefine success on her own terms.

Whether you’re a beauty professional, entrepreneur, or someone seeking clarity in your personal life, this conversation offers actionable insights on setting boundaries, embracing change, and finding strength in vulnerability.

Key Moments Include:

✔️The Emotional Side of Hairdressing: Why authentic connection matters for both clients and professionals.

✔️Setting Healthy Boundaries: How Rebecca protects her energy without compromising passion.

✔️Overcoming Burnout: Practical tips to maintain mental well-being while running a service-based business.

✔️Letting Go of Toxic Relationships: Why it’s okay to walk away from connections that no longer serve you.

✔️Mental Health in the Workplace: How to build a support network and reach out when you’re struggling.

✔️Personal Growth & Self-Belief: Turning self-doubt into confidence and embracing discomfort as part of success.

Podcast Episode Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
04:12 - More Than Just Hairdressing
10:35 - The Emotional Toll of Service-Based Careers
17:29 - Boundaries Are a Superpower
25:11 - Toxic Relationships & Letting Go
34:20 - Mental Health in the Workplace
42:45 - Finding Your Support Network
50:30 - Overcoming Self-Doubt & Embracing Confidence
1:02:18 - Social Media vs. Reality
1:10:42 - Lessons from Loss & Letting Go
1:17:53 - Closing Thoughts & Takeaways
1:20:00 - Outro

Resources & Mentions:

🔗 Connect with Sharni Knighton: https://www.instagram.com/sharni_k_hair?igsh=eGU1YmwwcmdpNTVp

🔗 Hair loss Education From Sharni: https://www.sharniknightonacademy.com/

🔗Connect with Tell Her Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tell_her_podcastigsh=Mnlpazd2NWl6OGhn&utm_source=qr

🔗 Connect with Rebecca Dickenson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bec_dickenson?igsh=MThlZGN5dnphMnFrYw==

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ABOUT YOUR HOST — SHARNI KNIGHTON

I’m Sharni Knighton, the creator and host of Tell Her. I was inspired to start this podcast after meeting so many extraordinary ordinary women through my hair loss and wig clinic. I wanted to give these women a space to share their stories and help them realize that what they see as “ordinary” is truly extraordinary.

As an educator, I also train stylists in the hair loss industry around the world — and I’m passionate about showing them who these incredible women are. I believe you should only step into this work if you’re ready to truly help and connect with the women you serve.

✨ Connect with my work:

• Hair Loss & Wig Clinic → www.sharniknighton.co.uk
• Training Academy → www.sharniknightonacademy.com
• IntelliMESH Product Line → www.intellimesh.co.uk

✨ Follow on social:

• TikTok → @sharniknighton
• Podcast TikTok → @tell.her.podcast