When someone who calls themselves 'The Energy Coach' admits to burning out, it carries weight. Rich Ellis doesn't just teach energy management from theory—he speaks from the hard-earned wisdom of someone who normalised working long days, over-relying on coffee, and burning the candle at both ends until a cortisol test showed his daily levels at just 10% of where they should be.In our recent podcast conversation, Rich shared insights that perfectly align with the principles of our philosophy at Bend Like Bamboo, revealing why true leadership strength comes not from pushing through, but from learning to bend without breaking.The Wake-Up Call: When Data Meets Reality"I was burning the candle at both ends, in a good way, but a naive way," Rich reflected. The wake-up call came through numbers—something this self-described "data kind of guy" couldn't ignore. His cortisol test results were a reality check that forced him to reverse-engineer how he'd gotten to that point.One of his earliest signs was an over-reliance on coffee. When someone asked him what his natural energy levels were like, he realised he didn't know—he couldn't remember the last time he'd operated without caffeine support. That moment of recognition led him to experiment with weaning himself off coffee through decaf, eventually discovering herbal teas and understanding just how depleted his natural energy reserves had become.The irritability followed—becoming snappy, having a short fuse, and frankly, not being very nice to be around. These weren't just personality quirks; they were symptoms of a system running on empty.The Intersection of Energy and ResilienceDuring our conversation, we explored how energy management and resilience building work together. As Rich explained, when you're already stressed and throwing multiple cups of coffee into your system daily, you're firing up adrenaline and cortisol—your stress response systems. For someone already operating in a high-stress state, this can push you over the edge.Rich's approach aligns beautifully with the Bend Like Bamboo philosophy: instead of forcing our way through with sheer willpower, there's a different kind of strength available. A strength that comes from understanding what our bodies and minds need to perform sustainably.Small Changes, Massive Impact: The Blood Pressure StoryOne of Rich's most compelling success stories involved working with a dairy company startup where he helped an employee drop their blood pressure from 140/90 to 110/70. The transformation didn't come from dramatic lifestyle overhauls—it came from identifying and addressing specific lifestyle factors.Through careful questioning and building trust, Rich discovered this person was consuming high amounts of sugar, under sleeping, hitting the gym twice a day (thinking more was better, when overdoing it can push someone further into a stress response), and had an unaddressed dairy sensitivity. The solution wasn't to do more—it was to do less, but more strategically.They addressed the dairy sensitivity, reduced the excessive gym sessions (recognising that too much exercise when already stressed drives cortisol higher), and focused on better sleep quality. As these small changes compounded, the need for extra coffee decreased naturally, and the blood pressure dropped significantly."The doctor had said, 'I've never seen it this low before,'" Rich shared. The client was thrilled, and importantly, they volunteered the testimonial—Rich didn't need to ask for it.From FOMO to JOMO: A Leadership Mindset RevolutionOne of the most powerful concepts Rich shared was transforming FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) into JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). For driven leaders constantly worried about missing opportunities, this mindset shift is revolutionary.JOMO isn't about becoming complacent—it's about becoming strategic. It's the ability to say "No, I can't come to that party because I'm doing something else" and being genuinely comfortable with that choice. You're buying yourself time, calm, and the recognition that you don't have to do all the things.This concept perfectly embodies what we teach in Bend Like Bamboo: true strength comes from knowing when to bend and when to stand firm. Leaders who embrace JOMO aren't missing out—they're conserving their energy for what truly matters.The Values Conflict: Understanding Internal TensionRich recently qualified as a personal values coach, adding another layer to his toolkit. Through this work, he discovered something profound about his own internal landscape: he has two values that directly oppose each other, creating natural internal conflict."Sometimes I'm driven by this, and sometimes I'm driven by that, but they're quite opposite to each other," he explained. This internal conflict isn't just personal—it happens in teams and organisations too, and when you're constantly butting up against values you can't align with, it can be a direct path to burnout.This insight connects directly to our work in resilience coaching. Often, the stress we experience isn't just from external pressures—it's from internal conflicts between what we think we should do and what we value or need.Building High-Energy CulturesRich's work extends beyond individual transformation to organisational culture. Using tools like the Maori health model Te Whare Tapa Whā, which has four pillars—spiritual health, physical health, mental health, and family/community—he helps teams understand that if one pillar isn't strong, the whole structure suffers.His approach is beautifully client driven. "I don't know their life, they know their life. They are the expert of their life," he explains. His role as a coach is asking the right questions to help people identify what they're prepared to do to make meaningful changes.The Power of Slowing DownOne of Rich's most personal revelations was discovering that yoga became his friend—ironic, considering his mother was a yoga teacher. But like many high achievers, he'd initially dismissed anything that looked like slowing down."As to what you just referred to, Amanda, in terms of slowing down can be the most useful thing. That was one of the key components to my recovery, was to do two yoga sessions a week for a considerable amount of time," he shared.  The Transformation Story: Trish's JourneyRich shared a detailed case study of his first official coaching client, Trish—a bookkeeper/accountant who was managing her own business while going through a divorce and raising two kids. She was caught in the classic entrepreneurial trap: always on the treadmill, trying to catch up with clients, never feeling in control.Rich helped Trish move from burnout to balance. The solution involved a shift in mindset that led to her bringing in more contractors so she could delegate work, addressing the background stress of always feeling behind, and finding a sustainable work-life integration."We got to the place where she felt on top of things," Rich recalled. Trish found her energy again, entered a new relationship, and created a profitable business that didn't consume her life. "It was really rewarding for me, because it was like, yes, pat on the back, you've done all the right things, Rich."The One Thing PhilosophyWhen I asked Rich for...

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