What if the key to thriving in STEM isn’t pushing harder, but learning to pause?

In this episode of How to Be WiSE, host Shubneet sits down with Kim Barthel - a world-renowned occupational therapist, speaker, and author - for a powerful conversation on self-compassion, burnout, and the neuroscience of stress. With over 35 years of experience in trauma-informed care, Kim shares her insights into how high performing students can protect their well-being while still pursuing excellence.

We dive into:

• What self-compassion really means (and why it's not fluff)

• How chronic stress impacts your brain (and your GPA)

• The science behind burnout, flow state, and emotional regulation

• Why connection, vulnerability, and boundaries are essential in competitive fields

• Reframing failure as feedback, not defeat

If you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or in need of permission to breathe, this episode is for you. Tune in, take a breath, and let Kim remind you that you are enough - exactly as you are💜