The Power of Rest: My Journey from Overwork to Balance
We've all had those moments in life when we pushed ourselves to the limit, working crazy hours, going non-stop for weeks or even months. And then, when we finally get that one day off, we collapse—our bodies give in, and we get sick. That’s not a coincidence. It’s our body’s way of forcing us to slow down after we’ve been running on empty.
As someone who has spent years in high-performance fitness and business, I want to share a deeply personal journey with you today. It’s about understanding the power of rest, breaking free from an overachiever’s mindset, and truly embracing balance for longevity, health, and happiness.
Recognizing the Signals: My Body Was Speaking, But Was I Listening?
At the beginning of this year, I started noticing subtle but clear signals that my body was not happy. I had been ignoring them for a long time. As someone who spent years as a caregiver to my late partner during her cancer journey, I became hyper-aware of how small lifestyle choices could have long-term consequences. My partner’s cancer was not genetic—it was lifestyle-driven. I watched firsthand how stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition led to devastating consequences.
That experience shaped my life and my mission with Fit Vegan Coaching. I vowed never to let myself go down that path. But despite my best efforts, I started realizing that even while eating a whole food, plant-based diet, getting regular exercise, and taking care of myself physically, I was still overworking. My body was screaming for me to slow down.
The Go-Go-Go Mentality: When Does It End?
For nearly eight years, I have been in a relentless grind mode. From being a caregiver and financial provider to training for Ironman races while running a business, I have been in a state of constant stress. Every major transition in my life—moving, business growth, even getting married—was met with more work, more training, and more responsibilities.
The real turning point came after my wedding. For the first time in years, I felt at peace. My body relaxed. And then suddenly, I started experiencing the consequences of years of non-stop exertion. My body was telling me: “I need more than just a weekend to recover from eight years of stress.”
Breaking the Cycle: Giving Myself Permission to Rest
One of the hardest things I had to do was let go of significance.
For years, I prided myself on being incredibly fit, pushing my body to the limits, and always striving for the next challenge. But the truth is, I didn’t need to be running marathons, training for Ironman races, and maintaining an ultra-low body fat percentage to be healthy and happy. My need for constant physical challenges wasn’t about fitness—it was about proving something to myself.
So, I made a radical decision:
I canceled all my races for the year. No more Spartan Races, Ironman, or endurance challenges.
I shifted my training focus. Instead of grueling two-a-day workouts, I now exercise once a day for 30-45 minutes.
I prioritized sleep like never before. I now get 9-10 hours of sleep every night and wake up without an alarm.
I cut my screen time in half. I implemented strict phone usage limits, cutting my average screen time from 6+ hours a day to a fraction of that.
I scheduled monthly digital detox weekends. I take one three-day weekend each month completely offline—no social media, no work emails, no distractions.
I moved to a two-month vacation cycle. Instead of pushing through burnout, I now take a full week off every two months to completely disconnect and recharge.
Redefining Success: From Trauma-Driven Drive to Contribution-Driven Purpose
For most of my life, my drive for success was fueled by trauma. Whether it was childhood experiences, personal insecurities, or the pain of losing my partner, I was pushing myself because I was afraid of slowing down. Many high achievers can relate—fear of failure, fear of being seen as ‘not enough,’ fear of being left behind. But here’s the truth I had to face:
Real success isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about letting go of what’s holding you back.
A mentor once gave me an analogy that changed everything:
Imagine you’re at the bottom of a pool, holding onto an anchor. The goal isn’t to swim harder; the goal is to let go of the anchor. Once you do, you naturally rise to the top.
I had been holding onto my anchor for years—pushing, grinding, trying to prove something. But true growth, true transformation, comes from letting go.
A Message for You: Balance Over Burnout
If you’ve been caught in the cycle of overworking, overtraining, or pushing yourself to exhaustion, I want you to hear this:
Your body is your greatest asset. Take care of it now, so it can take care of you for years to come.
You don’t need to work yourself into the ground to prove anything. You don’t need to be in a constant state of busyness to be worthy of success. You don’t need to sacrifice your health for achievement.
Balance is the key. Health first, transformation second.
So take a step back. Sleep more. Move with intention. Cut out the noise. Focus on what truly matters—because at the end of the day, the quality of your life is determined by how well you take care of your body, mind, and relationships.
If this message resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to reach out, share your experiences, and let me know how you’re implementing rest and recovery in your own life.
And if you’re ready to transform your health with a sustainable, balanced approach, check out the resources below. Let’s build a healthy, thriving life—without burnout.
To your health and longevity,
Coach Maxime
