Ever heard of defensive failure? What about productive failure?
In this deeply honest and psychologically rich episode, cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Amanda Crowell unpacks what it means to do the work that truly matters. We explore the Great Work framework, the emotional toll of overachievement, and the quiet sabotage of “defensive failure”—a pattern that stops us from even attempting the things we care about most.
Amanda shares her own story of striving for approval, hitting burnout, and experiencing a health collapse that forced her to radically rethink her life. From panic attacks and autoimmune flare-ups to a TEDx talk viewed by 1.7M+ people, her story is a roadmap for finding meaning at work, rediscovering your voice, and finally choosing yourself.
This conversation is for anyone yearning to feel more alive—whether by finding purpose at work, outside of work, or figuring out how to enjoy work again after years of burnout. It’s also a must-listen if you’ve ever doubted your potential, or convinced yourself you’re “not that kind of person.”
What We Cover:
Why most people fail before they even start—and how to spot “defensive failure” in your own life
The pressure to overachieve: How childhood patterns, trauma, and external validation drive burnout
Amanda’s breaking point: a panic attack that led to an unexpected health crisis and major life reset
What “great work” really means—and how to spot your own great work thread
The surprising way intrinsic motivation works (and why competitive goals often backfire)
How to build momentum in the smallest ways—and stop self-rejection in its tracks
Reframing rejection as data, not defeat
Finding purpose at work worksheet (included in Amanda’s book!)
How to do less, enjoy more, and feel alive again
Why burnout recovery requires joy, not just rest
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:40 – Her first memory of rejection: the cheerleading squad
05:10 – The invisible weight of early identity labels
08:05 – How Amanda became a triathlete after years of saying she “wasn’t athletic”
11:50 – Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation: how to enjoy work life again
15:45 – The real reason most people never start
18:50 – Behind the viral TEDx talk (and the bra strap seen around the world)
23:30 – The panic attack that sent her to the hospital
26:50 – Finding purpose outside of work (and inside a slower life)
31:00 – Giving up the hustle—and discovering Great Work
36:45 – Why rejection is an advanced problem
40:50 – How to get comfortable being a beginner again
44:20 – Two clues to help you find your Great Work
48:15 – Free resources and monthly classes to help you go deeper
Quotes That Hit Hard:
💬 “Rejection is an advanced problem. Most people fail defensively—before they ever start.”
💬 “I was hiding inside my own excellence and getting really, really bored.”
💬 “You either live in the arena, making mistakes—or you keep doing what you’ve always done.”
💬 “Your identity is not a fixed thing. It’s a prison you can walk out of.”
💬 “Stop tap dancing for approval. Let the failure happen. It’s not as painful as avoiding it forever.”
Resources Mentioned:
Amanda’s website: www.amandacrowell.com
Get the Great Work book + journal (includes the “Finding Purpose at Work” worksheet!)
Free monthly Great Work classes: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-great-work-series-classes-3888663
Follow Amanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-crowell-51188130/