Comeback Journey: Resilience, recovery & starting over

In this deeply personal and cinematic episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the terrifying yet liberating decision to walk away from a 'perfect' job that was slowly erasing her sense of self. This episode is essential listening for anyone experiencing burnout, feeling trapped in a high-status career that lacks alignment with their values, or struggling with the fear of leaving stability behind. Iona dissects the spe...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound difficulty and necessary courage involved in walking away from toxic friendships. This guide is specifically for individuals who feel trapped by guilt, social obligation, or fear of loneliness when trying to set boundaries with draining friends. The episode validates the heavy silence that follows cutting contact, framing it not as a failure of loyalty, but ...

This episode of Comeback Journey, hosted by Iona Hayes, explores the profound and often misunderstood concept of finding peace in the silence that follows a life-altering storm. It is designed for anyone navigating emotional recovery, healing from trauma, or seeking permission to rest during the aftermath of crisis, divorce, grief, or burnout. The narrative challenges the modern imperative to 'bounce back' quickly, arguing instead ...

In this deeply personal and transformative episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes dismantles the pervasive myth that strength equals solitary endurance. This episode is essential for anyone struggling with burnout, perfectionism, or the shame associated with needing support. Iona shares her own harrowing journey from high-stakes crisis management to a public collapse, revealing how she mistook stubbornness for bravery and iso...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the quiet power of small brave acts as the true foundation of resilience and recovery. If you are waiting for a grand, dramatic moment to fix your life, this episode offers a vital perspective shift: transformation rarely arrives as a singular event like a sudden windfall or spiritual awakening. Instead, it is built in the shadows of daily routine through tiny, almost in...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound exhaustion that comes from pretending to have all the answers and the liberating power of admitting uncertainty. For anyone struggling with burnout, imposter syndrome, or the pressure to appear perfect in their career and personal life, this conversation offers a vital perspective shift. We often wear masks of competence to protect ourselves from judgment, b...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the counterintuitive emotional landscape of walking away from an argument when you know you are right. Often, we are conditioned to believe that being correct is the highest form of kindness or the ultimate goal of communication. However, Iona dissects why winning a debate can feel like losing a connection, leaving us hollow and isolated despite our logical victory. This...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores how closing your eyes while listening to music can heal nervous exhaustion and restore mental clarity. This guide is designed for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the constant demand to be productive, always 'on,' and visually stimulated in a high-stress world. If you are struggling with burnout, anxiety, or simply the fatigue of modern life, this episode offers a gentle, p...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound and often overlooked skill of holding space for others without the urge to fix their problems. For anyone who has ever felt the instinctive panic when a loved one shares pain—whether it’s grief, job loss, or anxiety—this episode offers a transformative perspective on emotional support. Iona draws from her high-stakes corporate background, w...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the quiet bravery required to speak truth to power in our daily lives. This conversation is designed for anyone who feels stuck in silence, struggling with the fear of being labeled 'difficult' or 'aggressive' when they try to assert their boundaries. We often swallow our truths to maintain peace, but this episode reveals how that suppression creates internal weight and ...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the radical and often overlooked value of 'useless' hobbies as a vital tool for resilience, mental health, and personal recovery. The discussion begins by challenging the modern cultural obsession with productivity, optimization, and monetization, asking listeners to consider what they would do if their free time carried no requirement for measurable success or social me...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the transformative power of eating dinner alone, reframing solitude not as a sign of loneliness or failure, but as a profound practice of resilience and self-intimacy. This episode is designed for individuals navigating life transitions, recovering from divorce, or simply feeling overwhelmed by social obligations who are seeking permission to prioritize their own mental ...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound concept of resilience not as a rigid force of willpower, but as a quiet, stubborn act of showing up even when you feel like quitting. This episode is designed for anyone experiencing burnout, emotional exhaustion, or the overwhelming pressure to perform in a culture that glorifies constant productivity. We deconstruct the myth of the 'rubber ball' resilience...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound and often difficult process of forgiving yourself for mistakes made years ago. This guide to self-compassion and emotional resilience is designed for anyone feeling stuck in regret, guilt, or shame over past actions. The episode begins with a powerful metaphor: carrying a suitcase of bricks from ten years ago that causes your back to hurt today. Iona explain...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound art of holding space for grief without attempting to fix it. This guide is essential for anyone who has ever felt helpless while watching a friend, partner, or family member navigate loss, divorce, or major life transitions. The central thesis challenges the common instinct to offer solutions, platitudes, or silver linings, arguing instead that true support ...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound, reciprocal healing that occurs when experienced individuals mentor younger generations. If you are feeling stuck, burned out, or convinced that your best days are behind you, this conversation offers a vital perspective shift: mentoring is not just about giving wisdom away, but about reclaiming your own purpose and vitality. The episode argues that relevanc...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound difficulty of silence during periods of personal crisis, career collapse, and emotional burnout. This conversation is essential for anyone feeling stuck, exhausted, or overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly 'fix' their life. Iona shares her deeply personal story of hitting rock bottom at thirty-four after a career implosion, describing the suffocating wei...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the critical distinction between anxiety and intuition, helping listeners understand why their gut often knows what their brain is too scared to admit. This guide to trusting your inner voice is designed for anyone who feels untethered, over-analyzes decisions, or struggles with regret after ignoring their body's subtle signals. We break down how somatic awareness—...

In this episode of Comeback Journey, host Iona Hayes explores the profound strength required to remain calm during heated arguments and emotional conflicts. This guide is essential for anyone seeking to improve their relationships, manage anger, and break cycles of reactive behavior. The discussion moves beyond simple conflict resolution tactics to examine the physiological and psychological mechanisms behind our fight-or-flight re...