In episode #180 we we dive into the science of stress, burnout, and nervous system regulation with Rita Ainsworth, a trauma-informed resilience coach. Rita shares practical tools and insights on how understanding and working with your nervous system can transform stress into fuel for long-term success, especially for high achievers juggling demanding careers and athletic pursuits.
In this episode:
- The impact of cumulative stress and burnout in corporate and athletic settings
- Key nervous system states: parasympathetic, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal, and how they influence energy and performance
- Recognizing symptoms of burnout physically, mentally, and emotionally
- Practical tools for regulating the nervous system
- How to incorporate stress reset practices into daily routines for sustained resilience
- Common barriers to asking for help and strategies to overcome them
- The overlap between athletic overtraining and burnout in high-stress careers
Rita Ainsworth is a trauma-informed human potential and resilience coach who helps high performers understand and work with their nervous system for better energy, clarity, and long-term performance. With a background in pharmacy, nervous system regulation, somatic and “parts” work, and years in high-pressure performance marketing, she bridges science and lived experience to show how stress becomes fuel, how freeze derails performance, and how self-leadership keeps high performers in their window of tolerance. Rita’s approach is grounded, practical, and deeply human, built on the belief that resilience comes from understanding your system, not fighting against it. When she’s not coaching, she loves hiking in the beautiful hills of Wales and England.
Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.
MENTIONED:
- FREE RESOURCE:
- 4-day meal prep guide to help streamline processes: https://mailchi.mp/nutritional-revolution/4-day-meal-prep
- Reset Quiz – Check your nervous system state: https://www.ritaainsworthcoaching.com/nervous-system-quiz
- FOLLOW RITA:
- RitaAinsworthCoaching.com
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ritaainsworth
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/ritaainsworthcoaching/
- MENTIONED:
- Fullscript (for reputable supplements that are certified safe for sport): https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell
FREE RESOURCES:
FOLLOW RITA:
- RitaAinsworthCoaching.com – Rita’s website for programs and resources
- LinkedIn – Rita Ainsworth – Connect with Rita on LinkedIn
- Website
MORE NR
- Apply to work with Kyla → https://p.bttr.to/3ZrwzcF
- Use code NEWPOD10 for 10% off our meal plans → https://nutritional-revolution.com/products/
CONNECT
- Instagram → www.instagram.com/nutritionalrevolution
- Sponsorship inquiries → kyla.c@nutritional-revolution.com
- Interested in having your biomarkers or nutrigenomics checked? Email us at kyla.c@nutritional-revolution.com
TRUSTED RESOURCES
- Supplements (save 20%) → https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell
- Feed Club ($20 off) → https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution
- Kyla’s top picks → https://shopmy.us/shop/nutrev
- Follow us @nutritionalrevolution
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Rita Ainsworth and her work on stress resilience
02:24 – Rita shares her background and how her journey led to coaching high performers
06:01 – Symptoms and signs of burnout to watch for
09:19 – The science behind nervous system states and their role in stress response
12:14 – Initial assessments when working with clients on burnout and nervous system regulation
15:23 – The importance of asking for help and mental barriers around it
17:28 – Strategies for delegating and simplifying to reduce stress load
20:02 – Regulating the nervous system with breathwork and somatic tools
27:07 – Practical exercises: orienting, eye support, and breathing techniques
33:25 – Helping the body switch from sympathetic to parasympathetic states
40:12 – The offerings of Rita’s coaching programs and how to connect
