What to Do When Work Hijacks Your Life | Dr. Guy Winch - EP 767
Passion Struck with John R. Miles
John R. Miles
4.7 • 779 Ratings
🗓️ 14 May 2026
⏱️ 57 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Drawing from his new book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life, Dr. Winch explains why so many high performers feel emotionally numb, disconnected, and trapped in survival mode despite outward success. He reveals how work stress quietly spreads into every area of life—impacting relationships, identity, mental health, emotional presence, and even our ability to experience meaning and joy.
Together, John and Dr. Winch discuss burnout recovery, work-life balance, rumination, emotional regulation, workplace pressure, boundaries, and why many people unknowingly normalize functioning while emotionally disconnected. They also explore how chronic stress keeps the nervous system in a constant state of activation and why intentional recovery is essential for emotional health and resilience.
Throughout the conversation, John reflects on his own experiences with corporate burnout, emotional numbness, and the feeling of insignificance that can emerge when work slowly consumes every other part of life.
This episode is part of Passion Struck’s May series: Forged in Adversity — How Struggle Shapes Meaning, Resilience, and Transformation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The hidden emotional signs of burnout
- Why high performers often feel emotionally disconnected
- How chronic work stress impacts relationships and mental health
- The difference between exhaustion and emotional numbness
- Why rumination keeps people trapped in stress loops
- How survival mode gradually becomes identity
- Practical strategies for burnout recovery and emotional resilience
- Why intentional recovery matters for emotional well-being and performance
Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.
Full Show Notes: https://passionstruck.com/burnout-recovery-guy-winch/
Get the Companion Workbook: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/when-you-fail-as-yourself
Order Dr. Guy Winch’s new book, Mind Over Grind: https://amzn.to/4nw3PMW
Connect with John
- Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/
- Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
- Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
- Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
- Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.
Disclaimer
The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Coming up next on Passion Struck. |
| 0:02.1 | Moods are extremely contagious as when somebody comes home irritable or preoccupied or anxious |
| 0:08.6 | or worried or tense, it radiates to the, it creates that vibe in the home. |
| 0:15.7 | And so there are all these ways in which we really bring work home, not to mention that so many people are dealing with |
| 0:23.4 | after our emails that they have to check in all the time. So they're not even, they're still really |
| 0:27.8 | at work. They're still dealing with it. They're still in that mindset. They don't even get |
| 0:31.5 | the evenings or the weekends to fully detach and to be somewhere else mentally, physically. |
| 0:37.6 | And for all of those reasons, we absolutely bring it home. |
| 0:40.6 | And then it really infects them. |
| 0:43.2 | Welcome to Passionstruck. |
| 0:44.9 | I'm your host, John Miles. |
| 0:46.6 | This is the show where we explore the art of human flourishing and what it truly means |
| 0:51.7 | to live like it matters. |
| 0:53.4 | Each week, I sit down with change makers, |
| 0:55.7 | creators, scientists, and everyday heroes to decode the human experience and uncover the tools |
| 1:01.5 | that help us lead with meaning, heal what hurts, and pursue the fullest expression of who |
| 1:06.7 | we're capable of becoming. Whether you're designing your future, developing as a leader, or seeking deeper alignment |
| 1:12.5 | in your life, this show is your invitation to grow with purpose and act with intention. |
| 1:18.5 | Because the secret to a life of deep purpose, connection, and impact is choosing to live like |
| 1:23.6 | you matter. |
| 1:35.2 | Welcome back, friends, to Passionstruck episode 767. |
| 1:40.5 | Whether this is your first episode or your hundredth, thank you for being part of this global community committed to living intentionally, leading with purpose, and creating |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 6 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from John R. Miles, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of John R. Miles and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.