The Hidden Cost of High-Functioning Anxiety with Lisa Skeffington

Today's guest, Lisa Skeffington, is a multi–award-winning psychotherapist, executive coach, and self-esteem expert who has spent more than 25 years helping high-achieving women navigate anxiety, burnout, and hidden emotional wounds.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• What imposter syndrome actually is (and why it's so common for high achievers)

• How high-functioning anxiety hides behind competence, control, and "hustle"

• Why traditional therapy often misses what high-performing women really need

• How childhood pressure, conditional approval, and later "dumpster fire" moments (divorce, loss, layoffs) fuel burnout

• Early warning signs your nervous system is heading toward burnout

• The difference between doing a lot… and doing a lot of what doesn't nourish you

• Practical first steps to start healing, even when you can't just quit your life

Lisa also shares about her coastal escapes on the Dorset coast, her online mentoring, and a free self-esteem quiz to help you understand what might be running in the background of your own story.

💎 Melie's Takeaways

• High-functioning anxiety often looks like "drive" and "motivation," which is why so many of us miss it.

• Imposter syndrome isn't about how qualified you are – it's about old narratives you absorbed about your worth.

• Burnout isn't simply doing too much; it's doing too much of what drains you and not enough of what nourishes you.

• Emotional wellbeing doesn't kill your ambition – it fuels better, calmer, more sustainable performance.

• Healing begins when you stop performing and start telling the truth about what you feel and what you need.

• You don't have to choose between being high-functioning and being healthy. The shift is moving from chaos to calm.

Links Mentioned

• Lisa's Self-Esteem Reality Check Quiz & Resources: welcome.empoweredmomentum.com

• Learn more about Lisa's Empowered Momentum work, coastal escapes, and mentoring via the link above.