If you’re a heart-centred, highly sensitive health or life coach and you find yourself feeling resentful, drained, or overwhelmed by your work, you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon to reach a point where your coaching business begins to feel like a burden rather than a joy.

The good news? Burnout doesn’t have to be the end of the road. It can be a powerful signal, an invitation to make meaningful changes. In this post, we’ll explore what burnout can look like, what might be causing it, and how to reclaim your energy and love for the work you do.

Listen to this episode on The Wholehearted Business Show Podcast: Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on Spotify

Recognise What Your Nervous System Can Handle

One of the most important things you can do to prevent burnout is to recognise what your nervous system can actually manage in your coaching business.

You might find that you simply don’t have the same capacity as someone else, that’s not a flaw, that’s just part of who you are. It can be hard to accept, especially when you look around and see other coaches seemingly doing all the things without burning out. But the truth is, your energy, sensitivity, and capacity are unique to you. The sooner you honour that, the easier it becomes to build a business that truly supports you.

Trying to operate like someone you’re not is one of the fastest ways to burn out. Instead, decide to work with who you are, not against it. That starts with getting really honest about what your nervous system can hold – from client work to admin tasks to simply being visible and present in your business day to day.

Supporting your nervous system doesn’t have to mean overhauling everything. It might just look like weaving in small practices that help regulate and reset your system, a grounding walk before sessions, a few minutes of breathwork after a challenging client call, or carving out quiet space between appointments.

These kinds of practices aren’t luxuries. They’re essential self-care.

So ask yourself: what would support look like for me? What do I need to feel more grounded, more spacious, more resourced as I show up for others?

Tuning in to the needs of your nervous system, and responding to those needs with care, is one of the most powerful things you can do to keep your coaching business sustainable.

Niche Matters

You might not immediately think your niche plays a role in burnout, but it absolutely does. If you’re working in a niche that involves highly emotional or intense client work, that’s going to have a significant impact on your nervous system.

When your clients are navigating really tough life circumstances or have a high level of need, you’re likely holding a lot for them energetically. Even if you’ve got good boundaries in place (which we’ll touch on shortly), this kind of emotional labour can add up quickly.

It’s important to check in with yourself and ask: is this still the right niche for me? Can I hold the space that’s required to do this work well, while also taking care of myself?

Of course, every coach should be mindful of their scope of practice, and make sure they’re working within their area of expertise. But even when we are, certain topics and client experiences can be heavy to support over time.

For example, one of the reasons I’m able to work with a relatively high number of one-to-one clients is because I focus on business coaching. That doesn’t mean the work isn’t meaningful or deep – it definitely is – but it’s a different kind of emotional load than supporting someone through a major health crisis or life transition.

Your niche shapes the type of energy you’re holding, and that directly affects your capacity. Being mindful of that is a powerful step toward creating a coaching practice that’s both sustainable and nourishing for you.

Also recognising that it’s ok to tweak your niche to something that is more sustainable for you is ok too!

Have Healthy Boundaries

Boundaries are a big one, and they can be especially tough for heart-centred, highly sensitive coaches.

If you’re someone who naturally wants to give, be available, and please others, it’s very easy to slide into overgiving mode. That generous energy is beautiful, but without clear boundaries, it can quickly lead to resentment, exhaustion, and burnout.

One of the first places to start is by taking a really honest look at where you need stronger boundaries in your business. This might be with your clients – for example, are you replying to messages when you’re supposed to be off? Taking calls in the evening when you know it drains you? It might also be with yourself, for example checking emails first thing in the morning, scrolling through client messages before bed, or always saying yes when your body is crying out for rest.

These small patterns can really add up.

It’s also worth noticing if the energetic exchange in your business is feeling unbalanced. If you’re consistently giving far more than you’re receiving, in time, energy, or income, that imbalance is going to take its toll. It becomes very difficult to grow a business in a sustainable way when you’re already running on empty.

Setting boundaries can be as practical as turning off notifications, deciding when you’ll check your messages, or creating a clearer schedule that works for your energy. A simple auto-responder that sets expectations for email response times can do wonders for your nervous system. That way, you’re not rushing to meet imagined expectations – because you’ve taken the lead in setting them.

The key here is communication. Letting clients know when you’re available, how to reach you, and what kind of turnaround they can expect helps manage everyone’s expectations – including your own.

And here’s something that can be a really helpful mindset shift: boundaries aren’t just for you, they’re also for your clients.

You’re modelling something powerful when you set and hold healthy boundaries. Whether you’re a health coach, a life coach, or work in another space altogether, chances are you talk to your clients about self-care, energy, and wellbeing. When you lead by example, you give them permission to do the same.

So instead of feeling guilty about holding your own limits, remind yourself that this is part of the work. You’re not just serving your clients by being available, you’re also serving them by modelling what it looks like to protect your own energy.

Consider if your Business Model is Actually Sustainable

Another key reason burnout shows up for coaches is simply because the business model isn’t sustainable.

This often becomes clear when you’re relying solely on one-to-one client work and the maths just isn’t adding up. You’re working as many hours as you can, giving your all to your clients, and yet you’re still not meeting your financial needs, or worse, you’re running yourself into the ground trying to.

This is a common issue, especially for coaches in the early years of business. And here’s the truth: the model that works when you’re just starting out isn’t always the one that will serve you long term. For many heart-centered and highly sensitive coaches, a business built entirely on one-to-one sessions is simply too much to sustain – energetically and financially.

That doesn’t mean one-to-one work is bad or that it needs to go completely. But it does mean it’s worth stepping back and asking:

• Can I physically and emotionally hold space for the number of clients I’d need to reach my income goals?
• Is this model still working for me?
• What would feel more spacious, more aligned?

If the answer is no, it might be time to consider shifting your model – whether that’s introducing group programs, creating one-to-many offers like courses or workshops, or adding digital products to your ecosystem.

Of course, it’s not always as simple as swapping out one offer for another. Group programs, for example, can be wonderful, but they come with their own energetic demands. For some coaches, holding space for a group can feel even more intense than one-to-one work. So it’s important to explore what you can sustainably hold and what feels like a genuine fit.

Likewise, adding more scalable offers like courses or low-ticket digital products might feel exciting, but they do require different strategies like building a larger audience or marketing at a higher volume to make the numbers work.

All of this comes back to being honest with yourself about your capacity, your goals, and the kind of business you want to build. If your current model is leaving you burnt out and underpaid, it’s okay to pause and rethink how you’re doing things. Small, thoughtful shifts can make a big difference.

To look more closely at the whole topic of Business Models check out my free training below:

Take a Step Back

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do when you’re on the edge of burnout is to simply stop.

If you’re already deep in burnout, your body and mind might not give you a choice, you’ll be forced to slow down. But if you’re noticing the signs early, try to take a step back before you reach that point. Map in some time off, even if it’s just a few days. Give yourself permission to do nothing. To rest. To recalibrate.

Taking a break from your business doesn’t mean you’re failing – it means you’re taking care of the foundation your entire business is built on: you.

When you’ve had a moment to breathe, you can come back and reflect on what’s really going on. Are your boundaries not strong enough? Does your niche still feel aligned? Is your nervous system getting the support it needs? Is your business model actually sustainable?

Sometimes the answers are clear. Other times, it helps to talk it through. Just like therapists and social workers often have supervisors to process the emotional load of their work, coaches can benefit from this kind of support too. Working with a supervisor or mentor can give you a safe space to explore what’s coming up in your practice, and that alone can be deeply regulating for your system.

And if you’re beginning to realise that something fundamental needs to change – your niche, your business model, or how you structure your time – that’s okay. Many highly sensitive and heart-centered coaches find that moving toward more scalable offers like courses, digital products, or group programs can help create more spaciousness and sustainability.

That said, it’s worth remembering that those kinds of offers aren’t always an instant fix. They usually require a bigger audience or ecosystem to generate sustainable income which means different kinds of marketing, energy, and planning.

This isn’t about throwing everything out and starting again. It’s about stepping back, tuning in, and making intentional shifts that support both your wellbeing and your work.

Not the Right Fit Client

Another piece that often contributes to burnout, and one that doesn’t get talked about enough, is working with clients who simply aren’t the right fit for you.

This can be a hard truth to face, especially when you’re kind-hearted and naturally want to help everyone. But if someone consistently crosses your boundaries or the dynamic feels heavy and draining every time you interact, it’s worth asking: Is this client really worth it?

You’re allowed to make decisions that prioritise your nervous system, your energy, and your ability to do your best work. And sometimes, that might mean ending a client relationship.

It doesn’t have to be dramatic or negative. You can lovingly say, “I don’t think this dynamic is working for me anymore, and I’d be happy to recommend you to another coach who might be a better fit.” If necessary, you can offer a refund for any remaining sessions or unfulfilled parts of a package. That’s okay. You are allowed to do that.

Not every client is going to be the right fit, and that’s completely normal.

I’ve worked with many coaches over the years who’ve found themselves stuck in client dynamics that felt too intense or stressful to hold. And when you’re a people-pleaser or tend to overdeliver, it can be especially challenging to navigate. But here’s the thing: if a client relationship is making you dread showing up, that’s a signal worth listening to.

In some cases, it might even lead you to question whether running a coaching business is right for you at all. And if that’s where you’re at, please know that you’re not alone and it’s not a failure. Coaching isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. I’ve supported people through that realisation, too.

But for those of us who know this path is right, even when it’s hard, it’s still okay to make tweaks, change direction, and create firmer containers that support our wellbeing.

Letting go of the wrong-fit clients is one of the most empowering things you can do to make space for the ones who are truly aligned – the ones you’re excited to support and who light you up rather than drain you.

Next Steps

If any of this has resonated with you and you’re realising that something needs to shift, you’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

This is exactly the kind of work I support people with inside my one-to-one mentoring programs and in Wholehearted Business®. Whether you’re on the edge of burnout, needing to rework your business model, or just craving more ease and sustainability, there’s space for you to be supported.

If you’re looking for community and structure to help you build a coaching business that truly works for you, Wholehearted Business® will be reopening in September. Get on the waitlist to be the first to know when doors open.

Burnout isn’t something to push through or ignore – it’s a sign that something isn’t working. But with the right support and adjustments, things can absolutely feel different.

Please reach out if you need help. And as always, I hope this has been helpful!

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