WORKPLACE BURNOUT IS REAL - AND WOMEN ARE PAYING THE PRICE

If you’ve ever cried in the office bathroom, worked through exhaustion, or said “I’m fine” while your insides screamed otherwise—this episode is for you.

In this validating conversation on The Forties Formula, hosts Amanda Lim and Jasmin Dhillon sit down with Dr. Maleena Suppiah to talk about the burnout epidemic among women, and how it’s fuelled by perfectionism, people-pleasing, and a culture that rewards overfunctioning.

From setting boundaries at work to healing the internal pressure to do it all, this episode is a must-listen for every woman who’s ever wondered if it’s OK to slow down.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why burnout in women is often misread as “being emotional”
• The problem with workplace empathy (and what real compassion looks like)
• The difference between rest and recovery
• How to ask for support without guilt

“I’ve got it” is your default setting, we walk through what it looks like to start unlearning that reflex - as Dr. Maleena reminds us: “Your worth is not measured by how much you endure.”

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts—and forward this episode to the woman in your life who always "seems" to be holding it together. You can support The Forties Formula by leaving a review or subscribing on YouTube for more great content.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to burnout and overfunctioning in midlife women

03:45 Why burnout in women is often misread or dismissed

10:20 The difference between empathy and compassion at work

16:00 Key signs you're heading toward burnout

22:40 Why rest isn’t enough—understanding true recovery

29:15 How to set boundaries without guilt

36:00 The role of workplace culture in supporting women

42:10 Final reflections and advice from Dr. Suppiah

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