Susie Faulkner on Resilience on the Rise: The New Non-Negotiable for Women in Business
From burnout recovery to proactive strength — why building daily resilience is becoming the smartest business move you can make.
If there’s one truth I’ve learned — through running my own business, rebuilding my life after burnout, and coming back from workplace mental health issues resulting in PTSD, anxiety and depression — it’s this: mental wellness isn’t optional. It’s essential. Yet for years, we’ve treated it like an emergency-only measure, stepping in only when the cracks become impossible to ignore. That was certainly the case for me.
But times are changing. A quiet revolution is underway, shifting the conversation from fixing what’s broken to fortifying what’s strong. And at the heart of this shift is a simple but powerful idea that I wish I had caught onto much earlier in my career: resilience is something you build every day, not just when life knocks you down.
From Crisis Response to Prevention
The old model of mental health support in business has been all about damage control. Wait for our bodies and minds to be broken before we pay attention to them. But just like we shouldn’t wait for our teeth to start falling out before visiting a dentist, more women are no longer waiting for complete burnout before taking action.
Preventative mental wellness is about embedding small, intentional habits into daily life so that you can withstand the inevitable pressures of leadership, business ownership and modern life without tipping over the edge. I think of it like building a safety net — not for when I fall, but to make sure I don’t fall as far.
Why This Matters for Women in Business
Let’s be honest: women often carry an invisible second job. We’re leading businesses, managing teams, hitting targets — while also taking on family responsibilities, emotional labour and community roles. That’s a lot of weight to carry, and without conscious support structures, it can grind even the strongest among us down. Since becoming a mother myself, I’ve felt the pressure of feeling like I should be able to do it all and do it all well, and then the mum guilt when I realise I can’t, and even worse guilt when I realise I should have put things in place earlier to help when times get tough.
The new wave of wellness in business recognises the reality that women now face in their daily lives. It’s not about “working harder” or “toughening up” — it’s about working smarter, with systems that prioritise mental health as much as financial performance.
The Building Blocks of Everyday Resilience
So, what does proactive resilience actually look like? From my work with women navigating major life transitions, here are the most impactful shifts:
Daily check-ins with yourself – Start the day by asking, “What do I need to feel balanced today?” This small act of awareness can change the entire trajectory of your day.
Non-negotiable breaks – You wouldn’t skip charging your phone. In fact, most of us probably freak out when it gets below 50% – what if we miss that amazing photo? What if I have nothing to read or watch on the train ride home? What if I miss that call or social media message? Don’t skip charging yourself. Short, scheduled breaks increase productivity rather than slow you down.
Support networks that actually support – This isn’t just about having friends, it’s about cultivating relationships (in business and life) where vulnerability is welcomed and strength is shared. That’s why I developed my community, to support other women at all stages of their journey – including myself.
Micro-habits for calm – Even two minutes of deep breathing between meetings or before picking up the kids after school can reset your nervous system and prevent stress from spiralling.
Where This Trend is Heading
I believe the future of mental wellness in business will see resilience training becoming as standard as leadership training. Organisations will invest in it not because it’s “nice to have,” but because the return on investment — reduced sick leave, higher retention, better decision-making, improved mental health of workers — is undeniable.
For individuals, it will mean being empowered with practical tools to protect our mental health daily, rather than relying on emergency fixes when we’ve already hit the wall.
I believe that resilience isn’t about bouncing back — it’s about bouncing forward. The question is: will you wait for the next storm, or will you start strengthening your foundation now?
By Susie Faulkner
About the Author:
Susie Faulkner is a resilience coach, motivational speaker and founder of My Soul Is Fire, a personal growth brand helping women rebuild after burnout, trauma, and major life transitions. Drawing on her own journey of overcoming PTSD and anxiety, Susie empowers women to rise stronger with practical tools, unshakable faith and unapologetic confidence. Connect with her at susierfaulkner.com.
