Helping organizations and professionals transform burnout into energy and confidence in their purpose with abundance in life and business.

Deidre Gestrin

Consultant, Speaker, Author, & Trainer


For over 4 years, Deidre Gestrin has made it her mission to help hundreds of high achieving professionals conquer burnout, reignite their passion, and renew their purpose. Her master’s degree in counseling psychology, plus 14 years specializing in stress and trauma treatment, have given her the knowledge and expertise to help others alleviate chronic stress and recover from burnout. Deidre maintains a strong conviction that everyone has the ability to create the life they desire. Throughout her career in the behavioral health field, she has been privileged to hold executive leadership positions, which yielded opportunities emphasizing the importance of life work balance. She gained expertise and knowledge on how to support and to effectively move companies forward in their vision and mission, while supporting employee needs and wellness.

Stress to Peace in Just Two Weeks

by Deidre Gestrin

This eBook is one of Deidre Gestrin's most popular publications available as a free download. Inside of this ebook, you will learn:

  • Breath for Peace: Unlock the Hidden Benefits of Deep Breathing

  • Micro-Pauses: Enhance Productivity and Recharge Your Mind

  • Sleep for Life: Embrace Quality Sleep for Peace and Productive Days

Are you sick and tired of being STUCK?

Deidre Gestrin helps exhausted and overwhelmed high achieving professionals like you conquer burnout to reignite your passion and enjoy the work you do.

Ignoring a problem never makes it go away… it only makes things worse, and ultimately harder to solve. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place to jumpstart your life! The difference between staying where you are indefinitely, and moving forward to realize your potential, is all about taking action.

Did you know there is a sequence to SUCCESS?

Success doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by choice. When you combine the right information with precise implementation you get rapid transformation!

Deidre Gestrin has identified a formula that anyone, or any organization, can follow to achieve outstanding results.

In life there are always going to be ups and downs. What if you could learn how to make the up times last—and minimize or eliminate the down times? Deidre Gestrin provides training solutions that do just that.

We can help you achieve greater success, faster, and with fewer setbacks. Don’t take our word for it… we’ll prove it to you!

We have the proven resources to transform your life. From on-site workshops to online courses, coaching, consulting and more, we create change from the inside out. We offer a wide array of development and training programs built on timeless principles that get results.

All The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Life & Business

ONLINE TRAINING

Want thorough training to help you master your trade, but can’t imagine it fitting into your busy schedule?

Deidre Gestrin offers high quality online video training that you can watch on your own time. We pour passion, knowledge, and practical pointers into all of our videos. Which means the trainings won’t just engage you; it will also change you.

TEAM TRAINING

Deidre Gestrin provides premier in-house training services that meet the specific needs of business owners, employees, team leaders and managers. A recognized leader in on-site training programs, we provide tailored training exclusively for your business. Our programs are relevant, practical and delivered in an engaging way. To learn more about how your organization can benefit from our customized team training solutions click here.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

When you want your event to be a success, you need to be able to rely on your speaker to deliver a message that will inspire, entertain and create positive change.

You want more than temporary motivation… you want to create permanent transformation! Deidre Gestrin delivers skill-building content and cutting-edge insights that will educate and energize your audience.

Testimonials

"Deidre was able to help me get my clinical spark back!"

Beth Derickson

LCSW | Missouri

"In working with Deidre, I feel like I’m at a 90% success rate."

Chris Grad

Business Owner, Entrepreneur | Idaho

"Deidre helped me get to the point where I am today."

Michelle Schmutzler

Psychiatric Tech Worker |

Idaho

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FROM THE BLOG

Cover photo with smiling picture

Burnout Recovery Story: How I Recovered After My Doctor Said "Your Job Is Killing You"

September 09, 20253 min read

My Burnout Story with smiling picture

My Story of Burnout: How Chronic Stress Nearly Destroyed My Health (And How I Recovered)

When Your Doctor Says "Your Job Is Killing You"

Burnout isn't just feeling tired after a long workweek. It's a serious condition that can devastate your physical and mental health if left unchecked. As someone who experienced burnout three times during my 20-year career in behavioral health, I want to share my story—particularly my third and most severe episode—to help you recognize the warning signs and understand that recovery is possible.

The Warning Signs I Ignored

Seven years ago, in 2018, I hit rock bottom. I was working around the clock—managing my day job, supervising employees, helping struggling clients, and responding to crisis calls in the middle of the night. I was literally working 24/7, searching for runaway kids and trying to fix a failing program.

The warning signs were everywhere:

  • Chronic insomnia - I wasn't sleeping because I was always "on"

  • Physical exhaustion - My body was in constant fight-or-flight mode

  • Unsustainable workload - I knew I couldn't continue, but felt trapped

I sustained this survival mode for six months to a year, and my body paid the price.

The Wake-Up Call: When Stress Becomes Life-Threatening

My annual checkup with my functional medicine doctor changed everything. This wasn't just fatigue—my labs were moving in dangerous directions. My doctor's words hit me like a truck: "Your job is killing you. If you don't make a change, I can't help you."

The physical toll was undeniable:

  • My A1C was creeping back toward diabetic levels

  • I was gaining weight despite my exhaustion

  • At just mid-30s, I had developed arthritis in my joints

  • I couldn't walk 100 feet without pain

This was my wake-up call that no job—no matter how meaningful—is worth sacrificing your health.

Taking Action: The Road to Recovery

After that doctor's appointment, a colleague reminded me about my FMLA benefits. As a mental health provider, I now see more people taking FMLA for burnout recovery, and I'm grateful this option exists because some of us truly need it.

I needed time to:

  1. Rest and recover physically

  2. Create mental space to think clearly about necessary changes

  3. Develop a sustainable plan for long-term health

My Recovery: Proof That Healing Is Possible

Today, 6-7 years later, my life looks completely different:

  • My arthritis pain is minimal

  • My lab results are excellent

  • I love life again and have the balance I want

  • I can take 2-mile walks without pain

The Key Elements of Burnout Recovery

Through my experience and work with others, I've identified crucial components of sustainable recovery:

1. Know Yourself

We must understand our personal burnout warning signs. Everyone's signals are different, so self-awareness is crucial.

2. Prioritize Quality Sleep

I focus on quality over quantity. Sleep is when our bodies recover, making it non-negotiable for burnout prevention and recovery.

3. Create Your Personal Plan

Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all. You need strategies that work for your specific situation and lifestyle.

4. Stay True to Your Values

Maintaining congruence between your values and your life choices prevents future burnout episodes.

Stress to Peace in Just 2 Weeks with a water background

Check out Stress to Peace in Just 2 Weeks for easy steps to start your recovery journey!

Hope for Your Journey

If you're reading this and recognizing yourself in my story—feeling exhausted, questioning the point of it all, unable to sleep, wondering if you can continue—please know there is hope.

You don't have to:

  • Stay stuck in burnout

  • Live in survival mode long-term

  • Sacrifice your health for your career

Burnout recovery is possible, regardless of external pressures. You can overcome whatever life is throwing at you right now.

Your Next Step

If you're uncertain whether you can recover or what that might look like, I'm here to help. Recovery is possible, and you don't have to figure it out alone.

Remember: You have the power to change your situation. Your health—both mental and physical—is worth fighting for.

If you're struggling with burnout, don't wait until your doctor delivers a wake-up call like mine. Reach out for support, prioritize your health, and remember that recovery is not just possible—it's probable with the right approach. Book a complimentary 30-minute consultation

stressburnoutoverwhelmchronic healthwork stress
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Deidre Gestrin

Deidre has over 15 years experience in the behavioral healthcare field as a licensed clinical professional counselor. She is also a national board certified health and wellness coach who is passionate about helping others lead an authentic, abundant life without burnout.

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