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

Sandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

We all know what happens when we’re stressed. Stress clouds your judgment, makes it harder to stay focused on your goals and encourages procrastination. Without the ability to think clearly, make good decisions, and maintain your energy over the long term, you cannot be successful. I had a client who was struggling to grow her business. She was stressed out from working long hours and felt overwhelmed by all the tasks involved in running a successful business. Working harder was not going to make her more successful. By learning about her stress triggers and responses, she was able to use stress management techniques to reduce her triggers and manage her responses. She got better control over her personal time, saw her energy level improve, her focus returned, and her productivity increased. Instead of entertaining fantasies of quitting and moving to a deserted island, she addressed her stress directly. Now she runs her business with a clear head and a greater potential for success. She’s a great example of how stress management is not just about feeling better, it’s about removing obstacles to your success.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience, specializing in stress management. My journey into this field started as a child with a deep curiosity about the mind and how it had such a major impact on people’s realities. It was during my first year as a Navy Psychologist that I was tasked with teaching stress management to the medical staff. I ended up teaching active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel as well. After leaving the military, I found myself teaching stress management to the medical staff I worked with as well as their patients. This led me to create StressIntel, a company focused on providing innovative stress management solutions.

At StressIntel, I offer a variety of services, including stress management training for companies, individual coaching, and online stress management courses for individuals and organizations I can’t get to in person. Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching, company-wide workshops, or online, my focus is to create a transformative experience. Information is not enough to produce change. My work helps people regain control, feel more balanced, and ultimately thrive both personally and professionally.

I am also developing a virtual reality app called StressAway. The app, available on the Oculus Store, is designed to help users escape their daily stress by immersing them in calming environments while teaching clinically proven techniques for relaxation. What sets me apart is my ability to combine the science of stress management with cutting-edge technology, like VR, to create unique, effective solutions that cater to today’s fast-paced, high-stress world.

What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has had on individuals and organizations alike. Seeing someone go from feeling overwhelmed to empowered, or watching a company’s culture shift towards one that values mental well-being, is incredibly rewarding. I want potential clients and followers to know that StressIntel is not just about short-term fixes; it’s about providing lasting solutions that help you manage stress for the long run, using proven techniques and modern tools. My goal is to make stress management more accessible, engaging, and effective for everyone.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

If you have ever experienced burnout, you know what I’m talking about. It is easy to get on the road to burnout and not realize it. Even as a stress management expert, I have experienced burnout a couple of times in my life and didn’t even realize it was happening until I was in the middle of it.

 It’s easy to get into a situation of burnout, mainly because of the way we think about work and productivity. We think more is better. Being faster means you’re more successful. And, of course, more plus faster equals efficient. The longer you work, the better it is for your career. You are your job. You need to give 200% to your job.

It wasn’t until I couldn’t get out of bed and was struggling to do even the simplest things that I realized I was burned out. I was trying to be Super Mom and Wonder Woman, helping everyone except myself. The funny thing is, I thought I was taking care of myself because I worked out regularly, even with my busy schedule.

Being stuck in bed gave me time to really think about my life and ask, “How did I end up here?” It’s important, though, not to blame yourself when this happens. We take on so many responsibilities because we think we have to do it all. We believe that if we don’t, everything will fall apart. But the truth is, life can still go smoothly if we make some changes. By being willing to adjust, you can keep everything in balance and avoid burnout.

Now I help others avoid burnout because I know both personally and professionally how important it is to maintain work-life balance.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to do everything perfectly and on my own. For years, I thought being successful meant taking on as much as possible, juggling multiple roles without asking for help. I believed that if I didn’t meet every expectation—whether at work or at home—I was failing. This mindset led me to constant stress and eventually burnout.

The backstory is that I was trying to be everything to everyone: a dedicated professional, a perfect parent, and the person who always had it together. I didn’t realize that I was draining myself. It wasn’t until I hit a wall—physically and emotionally—that I learned the importance of asking for support and letting go of perfectionism. I had to unlearn the idea that doing it all on my own was a sign of strength. This shift not only helped me manage stress better but also improved my overall well-being.

If there’s one thing, I would encourage other business owners to do, it’s to make sure you don’t feel like you’re doing everything alone. Know when to prioritize, set boundaries, and allow others to help.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stressintel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stressintel
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutstressintel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrathebaudphd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stressintel