“I’ve been juggling work, creativity, and burnout in 2024…”
For the final episode of 2024, Matthew Head invites you into his personal journey—a year of juggling work, creativity, and burnout, and the lessons he learned to regain balance.
It’s early 2024, Matthew is working full-time as a lead engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, where his days are filled with designing complex prototypes for concept cars. Passionate and driven, he spends his mornings at the computer editing podcasts in his pajamas, rehearses for amateur dramatics two nights a week, and squeezes in guitar practice between his packed schedule. On the surface, it’s a life fueled by creativity and ambition, but beneath it, something was off.
By mid-year, exhaustion caught up with him. Despite loving his work and hobbies, Matthew found himself staring at his desk in the afternoons, completely drained. Even with all his self-help experiments—cutting caffeine, optimising sleep habits, and powering through with podcasts—something had to change. It was during rehearsals for a pantomime that Matthew stumbled upon an unexpected truth: energy comes not just from rest but also from passion. Acting on stage made him feel alive, more energised than ever. So, why was work and podcasting so draining?
The answer lay in simplifying his life. Matthew took a step back and reassessed. He began outsourcing his podcast editing, freeing hours he didn’t realise were holding him back. He reintroduced exercise, focusing on small, achievable goals—like swimming twice a week—and noticed how even light movement improved his energy and sleep. He experimented further with small but mighty tweaks: drinking water earlier in the day to avoid waking up at night, and even discovering the power of an eye mask to sleep uninterrupted.
Slowly but surely, Matthew saw the fog of burnout lift. The overwhelm of “doing it all” was replaced by intentional choices: doing what mattered most. He learned to trust the process in his work as well, realising that new challenges—like mastering a complex CAD system—take time, and pushing himself too hard only added to the strain. By the year’s end, Matthew found a rhythm that worked: a balance of passion, health, and personal growth.
This episode is not just Matthew’s story—it’s a reminder to anyone feeling stretched thin that small changes can lead to big transformations. From struggling to juggle it all to embracing a simpler, more sustainable approach to life, Matthew shares his hard-won insights so you, too, can create a life you love in 2025.
Tune in to hear his reflections, practical strategies, and the inspiring truth that sometimes, slowing down is the real hack to moving forward.
Key Topics:
- Energy Comes from Passion:
- Engaging in hobbies like theatre and music can boost energy, even during busy periods.
- Prioritise Sleep Quality:
- Small tweaks, like using an eye mask and managing evening water intake, significantly improve sleep.
- Simplify and Delegate:
- Outsourcing podcast editing freed time for health, relaxation, and growth.
- Progress Takes Time:
- Learning a new job or skill requires patience—pressure for instant results can hinder growth.
- Exercise is Essential:
- Consistent movement (e.g., swimming) improves sleep, energy, and mental well-being.
- Reflect to Recharge:
- Periodic self-reflection allows for course correction and renewed focus.
Timestamps –
00:13 – Introduction and episode overview
01:12 – Balancing a full-time job (Jaguar Land Rover) with podcasting and hobbies
03:32 – Matthew’s return to amateur dramatics and overcoming childhood stage trauma
06:19 – Realization of burnout and the role of self-reflection
08:36 – Small changes: water intake, sleep, and energy management
11:29 – Delegating podcast editing to prioritize well-being
13:55 – Simplifying life to make space for health and relaxation
15:22 – Sleep improvements with an eye mask
16:49 – Building habits: swimming twice a week and incremental fitness goals
18:41 – Learning patience while ramping up in a new role
22:31 – Final reflections: appreciating progress and future podcast plans
23:26 – Closing message and holiday wishes
