In this insightful episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I welcome Panda Ludwig to discuss the often overlooked but critical topic of burnout. The conversation covers the stigma surrounding burnout, identifying early signs, and practical strategies for managing it. Panda shares her personal story of experiencing severe burnout and the journey back to health, emphasizing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and understanding one’s motivations. The episode provides valuable advice on maintaining a sustainable work-life balance, including tips on nutrition, hydration, Sleep, and Exercise, as well as the significance of self-worth and passion in preventing burnout. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, visualize their goals, and prioritize holistic well-being for long-term success.

Amanda “Panda” Ludwig is an award-winning entrepreneur and multi-company founder. Despite her 

diverse skill set spanning corporate Finance to non-profit management, the most profound part of her 

journey unfolds not in a boardroom but in a hospital room. 

At the peak of her career, Panda confronted a pivotal moment when a doctor delivered the words  

“slow down or die”. 

Following a two-year medical leave, Panda has emerged as a beacon of hope for high-achievers, 

illustrating that success and genuine happiness can harmoniously coexist utilizing the insight and 

methods that she developed during her recovery. 

00:00 Welcome to the Easy Conversations Podcast

00:23 Understanding Burnout: Early Signs and Stigma

01:30 Redefining Burnout: A Scientific Perspective

03:08 Personal Journey: Recognizing the Signs

06:10 The Turning Point: Medical Warnings and Life Changes

07:28 Recovery and Sustainable Success

10:22 The Achiever’s Mindset: Balancing Drive and Well-being

16:47 Peak Performance: The Importance of Rest and Recovery

31:19 The Glorification of Overwork

32:06 Cultural Differences in Work Ethic

35:03 The Science of Productivity

38:53 Recognizing and Preventing Burnout

42:21 Self-Care and Setting Boundaries

51:57 Practical Tips for Avoiding Burnout

55:13 Visualization Exercise for Goal Setting

58:40 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Sponsors of the Podcast:

• BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of Therapy
• WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ez10⁠ for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
• Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez

If you would like to support EZ Conversations, here are all the ways you can do that:

• Instagram⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrqBp_zdRiIfBRV4wURSZ2A⁠⁠⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-macp-mba-072a8a1ba/⁠
• Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/EzConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com

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Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.