Burnout is something so many of us experience, yet we often move through it quietly. We don’t always talk about it, even when it’s affecting our minds, our bodies, our work, and the way we show up in our lives. But the numbers speak clearly: this is a reality for a growing number of people in the US and around the world.
A 2025 study by the American Medical Association found that 55% of women and 42% of men are feeling burned out. And younger professionals are being hit the hardest, according to new research published by Forbes, approximately 81% of 18 to 34 year-olds report some form of burnout. That’s staggering. In contrast, just 49% of workers aged 55 and older say the same.
I’ve been through three major episodes of burnout myself. Each one looked different; sometimes it showed up as full-body exhaustion, other times as brain fog or emotional heaviness that lingered. Once, I had a migraine that lasted two weeks, which did not allow me to leave my house. Back then, it felt like a breakdown. Now, I see it for what it was: a signal from my body saying, “It is time to take a pause”.
There’s no shame in burning out. It happens when we give everything we’ve got without giving ourselves the space to recharge. For me, burnout became a turning point. I began to slow down, listen more to my intuition, and return to the practices that keep me grounded, like connecting with nature, journaling, breathing, and meditating.
If you’re feeling close to the edge, know that you are not alone. You don’t have to push through by yourself; you can ask for help or guidance from friends and family. Take a breath, and trust yourself to take the first step towards your well-being.
If someone you care about is going through it, offer them your unconditional support. No advice, just listening to their struggles and emotions. Don’t underestimate the power of active listening.
These days, I care for myself above all, as I have come to realize that if I am not well physically, mentally, and emotionally, I will not be able to achieve my full potential as a human being. My main goal is to live in the present moment and be aligned with my life purpose.
Written by Claudia Duran, Managing Director at Endeavor Miami and Regional Managing Director at Endeavor North America and Canada.
