Meet our newest 48 Days Press author, Shelley Boyd
Overachievers, take note: burnout doesn’t mean failure—it signals a need for realignment.
What happens when the drive that once fueled your success begins to drain your soul? That’s the question at the heart of Beyond Burnout: The Overachiever’s Guide to Beating Burnout for Good, the debut book by Shelley Boyd, our newest 48 Days Press author. For Shelley, that question wasn’t theoretical—it was personal.
Before becoming a published author and soon-to-be farmer, Shelley spent years on the road as part of touring crews for major music acts. The long hours, constant travel, and unrelenting pressure eventually led to crushing exhaustion and even a frightening ER visit.
“They told me it was just anxiety,” she recalls. “But deep down I knew something had to change.”
That wake-up call set Shelley on a journey of rediscovery—one that led not only to new rhythms of rest but to a new sense of purpose.
She and her husband, John, now run a video production company in Nashville and are preparing to move back to the family farm they’re restoring as Chickadee Springs.
“All roads lead to Chickadee,” Shelley laughs. “Every project that fell through, every pivot we made, somehow prepared us for this.”
Burnout Isn’t Failure—It’s Disconnection
In her debut book, Beyond Burnout: The Overachiever’s Guide to Beating Burnout for Good, Shelley redefines burnout not as a personal flaw but as a disconnect from meaning. “Burnout and meaning are like matter and antimatter,” she explains. “They can’t exist in the same space.”
Drawing on the work of Viktor Frankl, Shelley offers a framework for moving from exhaustion to engagement through three key shifts:
- Find a project that matters – something creative, helpful, or personally fulfilling.
- Seek experiences that inspire you – beauty, nature, art, connection.
- Choose optimism – decide how you’ll interpret life’s challenges and what they’ll make possible.
“Meaning doesn’t have to be epic,” Shelley says. “It can be as simple as a small act of creativity or connection that fills your cup.”
Rest Before You Heal
One of Shelley’s most practical reminders: “You can’t sleep your way out of burnout—but you can’t heal without rest.” From there, she encourages readers to take what she calls “artist dates”—solo adventures that feed curiosity and delight. Whether it’s ice cream at Jenni’s or an afternoon with a paintbrush, these small sparks of joy help us remember who we are beyond the grind.
She also emphasizes the importance of boundaries. “Part of moving past burnout is learning to say no,” she says. “It’s not selfish—it’s survival.” For overachievers, this lesson is critical. Many push past exhaustion to meet expectations, but Shelley argues that saying no can create the space needed for meaningful work and authentic joy.
Burnout Is Happening For You
Shelley’s message isn’t one of resignation—it’s one of renewal. “Burnout’s not happening to you,” she insists. “It’s happening for you. What will you do with it?”
Her story, like so many within the 48 Days community, reminds us that every closed door, every season of fatigue, can point us toward something new, something truer.
“When you can’t see the forest for the trees,” Shelley says, “connect with people who can. Sometimes healing begins with letting others help.”
She encourages readers to pay attention to the subtle signs of burnout before they escalate. Mood swings, chronic exhaustion, or loss of motivation are not just inconveniences—they’re signals. By listening and responding intentionally, overachievers can prevent burnout from becoming a full-blown crisis and instead use it as a catalyst for transformation.
A Life Beyond the Grind
Shelley’s journey shows that overachievement doesn’t have to come at the cost of well-being. Through intentional rest, creative exploration, and meaningful connections, it’s possible to live a life that’s both productive and joyful. Her story is a reminder that success is not just about what you accomplish—it’s about how you experience life while doing it.
Shelley is an active member of both the Eagles Writers Community and the 48 Days Eagles Alliance, where she continues to share her journey and support others on theirs.
Watch the full interview with Shelley Boyd and Ashley Logsdon here to hear more about her story, what inspired Beyond Burnout, and how you can begin finding meaning again.
Learn more at BeatBurnoutForGood.com, including where to buy her new book and get her helpful resources.
