Many leaders spend years climbing the mountain of success.

They work hard, take on responsibility, and build careers that look impressive from the outside. But at some point, the pace becomes unsustainable. Energy drops, pressure builds, and something inside begins to question whether the current path still makes sense.

In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, Meggi speaks with Rachael Edmondson-Clarke, founder of ellevar, about the moment many high-performing leaders quietly reach - the moment when the body finally says “no.”

After years climbing the corporate ladder, Rachael experienced a sudden collapse that forced her to stop and reconsider how she was living and leading. What followed was not a dramatic career leap, but a deeper process of reflection, recalibration, and redefining what sustainable leadership really means.

Together they explore why so many experienced leaders ignore the warning signs for too long - and why the moment that feels like a breakdown can actually become the start of a more conscious next chapter.

• The moment Rachael’s body forced a pause after years of pushing through pressure and responsibility
• Why many high-performing leaders ignore early warning signs of burnout
• How external success can quietly disconnect us from our own needs and signals
• Why sustainable leadership starts with learning to lead ourselves first
• How moments of breakdown can become turning points for a more conscious way of working and leading

• Pay attention to early signals from your body and energy before they become crises
• Build pauses and reflection into your leadership practice
• Redefine success in a way that supports both impact and wellbeing

This episode is for leaders and high performers who have climbed far in their careers — and are beginning to question whether the pace, pressure, or expectations are still sustainable.

Because sometimes the moment that feels like a breakdown… is actually the beginning of a different way of leading.

🔗 Connect with Rachael Edmondson-Clarke on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-edmondson-clarke/

Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.