I climbed the career ladder and got my dream job at 30 - then I hit burnout

Jo Hooper, a former communications professional, spent her 20s climbing the career ladder, swiftly advancing through promotions and pay rises. However, just after achieving her dream role at 30, Jo began experiencing burnout and had to take time off work. Burnout, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion recognized by the World Health Organization, has recently led to 22 million lost working days in Britain due to work-related stress in 2024-25.

Jo, now 39 and based in Penarth, said she wanted to become head of communications by the age of 30, which she achieved by working long hours, saying yes to everything, and even taking her boss's children to school. Despite initially believing these efforts would lead to success, Jo hit burnout a year into her management role, leading to two breakdowns within a year.

She now dedicates her time to helping others avoid burnout, advocating for working less and making necessary changes to the context causing distress. Experts suggest that burnout is often experienced by perfectionists or those who go the extra mile, as these traits can lead to burnout if not properly managed.