Burnout breaks you down. It steals your energy, clouds your thinking, and makes even simple tasks feel impossible. For entrepreneurs and business owners, burnout can mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving.
But here's the thing—it doesn't have to be this way. Human design and holistic living offer real solutions for managing stress and building a life that actually works for you.
I recently sat down with Samantha Howarth on my podcast. Sam is a holistic lifestyle coach, brand strategist, and the founder of The Way She Was Made. She shared her powerful story of hitting rock bottom with burnout and how she climbed her way out using human design and cycle syncing.
And, her insights completely changed how I think about productivity and success!
The Wake-Up Call: When Burnout Becomes a Health Crisis
Sam was doing everything "right." She had the corporate job, the internship, the whole package. She worked in event planning and marketing—nine-to-five plus nights and weekends. No breaks. No rest. Just constant hustle.
Then her body started sending signals. Fatigue became her new normal. Her performance tanked even though she was doing all the "healthy" things.
But here's where it gets serious. When Sam finally saw a functional doctor, the diagnosis was shocking. At just 27 years old, her hormones had gone post-menopausal. She had adrenal fatigue from chronic stress.
That was her wake-up call. She realized stress was destroying her health from the inside out. So, she decided to pursue functional medicine and find real answers.
Understanding Human Design: Your Personal Blueprint for Success
Sam explained human design as a blueprint or archetype. It shows you how you're designed to work, what environments suit you best, how you communicate, and how you connect with people.
Manifesting Generators and the Myth of Focus
Sam told me I'm a 5-1 manifesting generator. That means I thrive when I have multiple projects going at once. If I tried to focus on just one thing, I'd get bored and burned out fast. That's exactly what happens when I don't have variety in my work.
The podcast? That's not a distraction from real estate. It's fuel that keeps me engaged and energized.
The ADD/ADHD Connection
Sam has worked with tons of manifesting generators who've been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. She thinks a lot of it comes from our school system. We're taught from day one to sit still, focus on one thing, and work in a rigid structure from 8 AM to 3 PM.
But what if that's not how your brain works? What if you're not broken—you're just designed differently?
Human design gives you permission to figure out what actually works for you. It's not about fixing yourself. It's about understanding yourself.
Cycle Syncing: Working With Your Hormones, Not Against Them
Sam introduced me to cycle syncing. Through it, I found out that men have a 24-hour hormone cycle. You go to bed, wake up, and your hormones reset. Women? They work on a 28-day cycle.
That means women aren't designed to show up the same way every single day. Their energy, mood, and productivity shift throughout the month.
Here's how it breaks down:
Menstrual Phase (energy is at its lowest) - This is the time for rest and recovery. Your body needs a break.
Follicular Phase (energy starts rising) - Creativity kicks in. This is when you're most productive and ready to plant seeds for new projects.
Ovulatory Phase (hormones peak) - This is your power time for public speaking, podcast episodes, events, and anything outward-facing.
Luteal Phase (energy comes back down) - You become more introspective. Perfect for organizing, strategizing, and letting go of what's not working.
The traditional nine-to-five structure completely ignores this cycle. That sets women up for failure.
But when you structure your workflow, workouts, and even nutrition around your cycle? Everything changes!
Building a Business (and Life) That Doesn't Break You
Sam's coaching starts by pulling your human design chart and looking at your astrology. Then she helps you see where you're working against yourself.
Sensory Biohack
Everyone has a highest sense. For Sam, it's taste. When she feels stuck or frustrated, she gets up and makes tea or eats some chocolate. That simple sensory reset gets her back on track.
If your highest sense is smell, you can use scents to trigger focus. It's like biohacking your brain to work better.
Cycle Syncing Dinner Concept
Sam is working on something really unique—a cycle syncing dinner.
It's a four-course meal where each course represents a different phase of your cycle. You learn what nutrients your body needs during each phase, and you actually cook the food.
It's hands-on learning that makes the concept real and usable.
Rethinking Work-Life Balance and Sustainable Success
For Sam, traditional work-life balance doesn't exist. Sometimes, you're more focused on business, and other times, you're more focused on life. The key is making sure they work together instead of against each other.
Her method is "mind, body, soul, and business." When one area is off, it affects everything else. You can't separate them. You have to blend them in a way that actually benefits you.
A lot of this is about unlearning. We're taught to work a certain way. Sit at a desk. Clock in and out. Follow the rules. But what if those rules don't work for you? What if there's a better way?
For people in traditional jobs, Sam suggests creating morning routines that give you energy, using sensory triggers to help you focus, and adding creative side projects that fuel you.
Continuous Learning: Suggested Resources
Conversations, like the one I had with Sam, open doors to more learning. If you want to dive deeper into human design, cycle syncing, or holistic health, there are tons of resources out there. Books, online courses, and podcasts—the information is available.
This is actually why I started HomeBrew. It's the same reason realtors and agents join a real estate podcast network. We share information. We learn from the best in the industry. We grow together. That's how you build sustainable success—by staying curious and staying connected.
Want to hear my entire conversation with Samatha? Listen to our podcast episode!
Tune Into HomeBrew Podcast for More Business and Life Lessons from the Experts!
Samantha's insights are valuable for anyone trying to build sustainable success without burning out. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to HomeBrew Podcast. Every week, I sit down with entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders who share real stories, hard-won lessons, and authentic insights.
And, if you're thinking about buying or selling a home in South Carolina, JW Martin Real Estate understands what it takes to build a life and business that works for you. Contact us today to start your real estate journey with experts who care about your success!
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