We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carole Jean Whittington. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carole Jean below.

Carole Jean, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

For nearly 40 years, I believed I was broken. Every day, I woke up in pain, thinking that was how everyone felt. My inner monologue was always about powering through: “Just make it to the end of this task, project, or day, then you can rest.” But rest never came—until one day, it did. My body fully revolted. I went from managing over 10 departments in a large hospital system to being completely bedridden and unable to lift a spoon to feed myself within a 48-hour window. “Then” had arrived, whether I wanted it to or not.

Those first 40 years were so difficult because I didn’t know I was Autistic and ADHD. I also have three sometimes disabling health conditions. More importantly, I didn’t realize that forcing myself to power through was causing chronic burnout. Looking back, I now know my very first burnout hit when I was just six years old.

Early on, I was identified as having a high IQ. I walked and talked early. The world saw “potential.” But because I was hyper-verbal and articulate, when “easy” tasks were difficult for me, I was seen as lazy or uninterested. No one truly saw me, and I couldn’t see and love myself because life and people quickly became “unsafe,” and I had to survive.

That almost fatal physical exhaustion changed the course of my life and career. Today, I am a burnout researcher and business owner, guiding other neurodivergent and disabled adults to their best lives—aligned, unmasked, and fueled by sustainable energy. I wake up each morning, fueled by almost five years of living burnout-free for the first time since I was six years old, so I can help others do the same. I see the incredible possibilities when neurodivergent and disabled people thrive, and my life’s mission is to bring our underserved population, often hiding in plain sight, into the light.

All too often, clients come into The UnVeiling Method program and share that they didn’t realize they had been in burnout for years, often decades. They were told that their experiences were “just” anxiety, depression, or a negative mindset. While depression and anxiety can be part of the internal warning signs of burnout, they’re only a small part of the whole picture. Most burnout inventories, designed for neurotypical brains and bodies, focus on three areas of burnout, usually through an occupational lens. At Whittington Well-Being, we look at eight key impact areas of burnout, including sensory, communication, and sleep.

I struggled with the shame and guilt of repeated suicidal ideation and was always too scared to tell anyone how I was feeling. I told my mom when I was six because those were the only words I had to describe my experience, but the professionals didn’t understand and couldn’t help. My journey into this work began after three friends committed suicide in a week. Two were late-identified autistics who I now suspect were in burnout, and the third was a childhood friend who I believe was unidentified as autistic and had likely been in burnout for decades, just like I had.

I never want another neurodivergent or disabled person to end their life because they are in burnout and don’t know it or don’t have a plan to get out of it in a way that works best for them.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who may not have read about me before, my journey started with nearly 40 years of believing I was broken, living in constant pain and pushing through life until my body fully revolted. This led to the discovery that I am Autistic and ADHD, with additional disabling health conditions, and that my struggles were linked to chronic burnout.

This revelation transformed my life and career. Today, I am a burnout researcher and business owner at Whittington Well-Being, where we offer the Micro Recharge Lab and The UnVeiling Method programs. Our programs help neurodivergent and disabled adults recognize and take the step by step journey out of burnout by addressing eight key impact areas, including sensory, communication, and sleep. Most traditional burnout inventories only look at burnout through an occupational lens and view an average of 3 areas of burnout.

What sets us apart is our focus on neurodivergent and disabled individuals and our holistic approach to burnout. I connect deeply with my clients through my personal experience, providing them with the support they need to thrive. I am most proud of helping others live burnout-free for the first time in their lives.

I want potential clients and followers to know that I understand their struggles on a personal level and that there is hope and a burnout-free life is possible, I’m living proof. Our mission is to guide others to their best lives, aligned, unmasked, and thriving, bringing our often overlooked population into the light so that all of humanity is elevated.

If you aren’t sure if what you’ve been experiencing is stress or burnout, find out in the 3 minute Burnout Quiz. You’ll discover if you are in burnout and if so what level from a level 1 Poblano Pepper where there’s just a tad bit of heat up to the level 5 Ghost Pepper where you’re so hot, you’re not. Take the quiz at WhittingtonWellBeing.com

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

For much of my life, I adhered fiercely to the belief that “no pain, no gain” was the path to success. This mindset led me to constantly push myself beyond my limits, filling my calendar from dawn to dusk with tasks and projects. I ignored my body’s needs, neglecting hydration, nutrition, and rest in pursuit of checking off endless to-do lists. Sleep became elusive, my mind racing with unfinished tasks as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The turning point came after a massive physical collapse forced me to reassess everything. At 42 years old, feeling disconnected and adrift, I stumbled upon a blog post with journal prompts aimed at self-discovery. One prompt asked me to describe my ideal day without constraints of time or money. This simple question exposed the stark contrast between my reality and aspirations, prompting a deep realization that my relentless pursuit of success was making me miserable.

I began a journey of self-compassion and curiosity, questioning my beliefs and learning to listen to my body and inner wisdom. Instead of “I have to” or “I should,” I started asking, “What is aligned with my values and authentic self?” This shift in mindset gradually lifted the weight of chronic exhaustion. I started feeling lighter, more playful, and surprisingly grounded—a sensation I had never truly experienced before.

This personal transformation fueled my professional endeavors. As a burnout researcher and founder of The UnVeiling Method and The Micro Recharge Lab, I channeled my insights into developing programs that help neurodivergent and disabled adults navigate burnout. The Micro Recharge Lab offers experiential learning to discover and harness personal energy states, providing quick, effective tools to shift from busyness to clarity on demand.

The UnVeiling Method provides a structured roadmap to energy mastery, breaking down each phase into manageable steps rooted in compassion and simplicity. Through these programs, I challenge the belief that success requires constant struggle. Instead, I advocate for alignment and simplicity as the keys to sustainable energy and well-being. Our spicy pepper dashboard and Energy Mastery Map track progress and establish restoration markers, providing evidence-based support during challenging times.

In essence, I’ve unlearned the destructive belief that “no pain, no gain” leads to success. By embracing lightness, playfulness, and alignment with one’s authentic self, I’ve not only escaped chronic burnout but also empowered others to do the same. Today, I stand committed to helping individuals discover their path to sustainable energy and live their best lives—filled with vitality, purpose, and joy.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Keeping in touch with clients and nurturing brand loyalty is at the heart of my approach. Once clients complete The UnVeiling Method, we transition into an Energy MasterMind small group. This ongoing program focuses on continued personal growth and supports clients as they cultivate lives filled with passion and abundant energy. It serves as both a career and business incubator, ensuring clients continue their journey of personal development and energy mastery.
Additionally,

The Micro Recharge Lab offers various avenues for engagement. We provide a one-hour introductory event where participants experience four different energy types, equipping them with a toolkit for immediate energization. This lab is also accessible through membership packages, which include on-demand access to a suite of micro recharge exercises across seven energy transformation areas. Our accelerate access tier further includes live monthly Micro Recharge Lab events, ensuring ongoing support and engagement.

Central to fostering deep, authentic connections is my belief in being fully present with each client. I strive to truly see, hear, and hold space for them as they are in the moment—emphasizing that their worthiness and enoughness are inherent. This approach to connection is fundamental in creating transformative experiences that resonate with my clients long after their initial program completion.

Client feedback and testimonials highlight the impact of this approach. One client shared, “You often say ‘for right now’ when asking us to evaluate our needs. The freedom of non-permanence in my decisions revealed how locked in I was, leading to decision paralysis. This awareness has led to significant improvements in my anxiety, communication, and overall mood.” Such testimonials underscore how creating space for authentic exploration and growth yields tangible benefits for clients.

To continually refine and enhance my programs, I actively solicit and integrate client feedback through surveys and feedback forms. This feedback loop allows me to adapt to various learning styles, incorporate diverse perspectives, and introduce new approaches. Regular program reviews and updates—occurring quarterly at minimum—ensure that my offerings remain dynamic and responsive to client needs and aspirations.

In essence, my commitment to fostering authentic connection, continuous improvement through client feedback, and providing diverse and transformative experiences defines how I keep in touch with clients and cultivate enduring brand loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whittingtonwellbeing.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolejeanwhittington/
• Other: https://energize.whittingtonwellbeing.com/beyondchronicburnout