Burnout is not a badge of honor. It’s a signal for change. Here’s why high-performing leaders are rejecting conventional executive coaching in favor of restorative models that actually work.
The Shift Toward Restorative Leadership Models
For years, executives have faced immense pressure to deliver results, stay ahead of industry trends, and maintain a polished public image. However, an increasing number of high-performing leaders are quietly stepping away from traditional performance-driven coaching models, recognizing the need for a new approach to leadership.
Dr. Annise Mabry, founder of The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation and creator of the Rise + Release retreats, has long advocated for a shift in leadership development that emphasizes restoration and healing. As a trauma-informed coach, Dr. Mabry’s work focuses on the emotional and physical recovery of leaders, especially within marginalized communities, helping them reclaim their well-being while maintaining professional success.
“CEOs don’t talk about burnout, but they experience it every day,” Dr. Mabry states. “Rise + Release provides leaders with a much-needed space to exhale and restore.”
Leaders Need Healing, Not Just Mindset Shifts
For many high-performing leaders, burnout is the result of years of suppressed stress and emotional fatigue. Traditional coaching often focuses solely on shifting mindset or improving performance, but this does not address the root causes of burnout. Dr. Mabry explains that a trauma-informed approach to coaching is essential, particularly for leaders carrying generational trauma or the weight of being pioneers in their roles.
“Mindset-only coaching fails leaders who are carrying the weight of trauma,” Dr. Mabry explains. “You can’t just shift your mindset and push through the pain. Healing must come first.”
Rather than focusing solely on productivity, Dr. Mabry’s model integrates somatic healing, trauma-informed coaching, and financial empowerment, offering a holistic recovery process that addresses the emotional toll of leadership.
Restoration Before Strategy
A key principle of Dr. Mabry’s approach is that restoration must come before strategy. Traditional executive coaching often prioritizes increasing performance or developing new skills, but these strategies fail if the leader is physically or emotionally depleted. Without addressing the exhaustion caused by burnout, any new strategy will lack the foundation needed for sustainable success.
“You can’t lead effectively if you’re running on empty,” Dr. Mabry says. “At Rise + Release, we help leaders restore their energy and resilience before they are asked to develop new solutions.”
Through a combination of practices such as yoga, breathwork, and nature immersion, Dr. Mabry’s approach provides leaders with the tools to heal and regulate their nervous systems, equipping them to lead with sustainability in mind.
Building Leadership Longevity
Dr. Mabry’s work is centered on building leadership longevity rather than focusing on quick fixes. Traditional coaching methods may offer temporary relief, but without ongoing restoration, leaders are at risk of falling back into burnout. By prioritizing well-being, Dr. Mabry helps leaders build long-term resilience, ensuring that they can continue to lead effectively without sacrificing their health.
“Burnout costs companies billions,” Dr. Mabry points out. “Investing in executive wellness isn’t just about comfort; it’s a long-term leadership strategy.”
A Personalized and Transformative Approach
What sets Dr. Mabry apart is her unique blend of academic expertise, real-world experience, and empathy. As a trauma-informed coach and a mother who faced educational challenges for her children, Dr. Mabry understands firsthand the emotional toll of leadership and marginalization. Her work is grounded in real-world outcomes, offering leaders the opportunity for a deep, transformative experience.
Discover How to Lead Sustainably
For high-performing leaders, addressing burnout requires more than just a quick fix. Rise + Release offers a restorative approach that empowers leaders to heal and rebuild their resilience, allowing them to lead more effectively in both their professional and personal lives.
To learn more about Rise + Release and how Dr. Annise Mabry’s approach can help you reclaim your leadership and well-being, visit www.drannisemabry.com.
“At Rise + Release, you don’t just get rest, you gain the tools to lead sustainably without losing yourself,” says Dr. Mabry.
