From Opera to Overwhelm: Caroline Dowd-Higgins on Thriving Beyond Burnout

The Burnout Club

In this episode, Patrice Bonfiglio sits down with Caroline Dowd-Higgins, Chief Energy Officer, bestselling author, and former opera singer turned burnout recovery coach. They explore the powerful transformation from relentless overachiever to high-impact high achiever — and why your well-being is the key to sustainable success.

Caroline shares how her career took her from global opera stages to the pressure-cooker environments of higher ed and corporate America — and what finally pushed her to say “enough” and launch her own consulting firm. Her journey is a powerful example of reclaiming agency, redefining ambition, and learning how to thrive on your own terms.

Through heartfelt stories and practical strategies, this conversation covers the cost of workplace burnout, the myths of overachievement, and how simple shifts in mindset and workplace culture can unlock brilliance in both individuals and teams.

Lessons from This Episode:
• Burnout is not a personal failure — it’s a systemic issue
• Overachieving is not a badge of honor if it costs your well-being
• You can still be ambitious and protect your peace
• Ask for what you need — courage is a skill, not a personality trait
• There's no business case for burnout — companies thrive when people do
• Thriving starts when you stop waiting for permission

To learn more about Caroline Dowd-Higgins:
🌟 Chief Energy Officer at Caroline Dowd-Higgins Consulting
🌟 Author of This Is Not the Career I Ordered and TEDx Speaker

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