From Burnout to Breakthrough: Rediscovering My Purpose Through Pain, Faith, and Healing – written by Wendy Brown
There was a time when I felt completely burnt out—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had moved from Scotland, where I worked as a Nurse Practitioner and felt valued and confident in my role, to Australia, where I found myself starting over again. The first seven years here were spent in the high-pressure environment of emergency departments—relentless shift work, emotional overload, and no real time to recover.
I loved caring for people. But I was running on empty.
I had already walked through postnatal depression after the birth of my children. Looking back, I can now see the signs of anxiety and low mood appearing long before that—made worse by unhealthy habits and a lifestyle that didn’t allow space for rest or reflection. The burnout I experienced in Australia was just another chapter in a longer story of struggling to hold it all together.
In 2018, something shifted. I stepped into a pastoral care oversight role with Hillsong Church in Campbelltown. It wasn’t just a new job—it was a turning point.
This role allowed me to show up for people in a new way—to walk alongside them through their pain, listen deeply, offer care, and help them reconnect with hope and identity. I began to realise that all the experiences I had—the good, the painful, the confusing—had been shaping me for this. I wasn’t just surviving anymore. I was rediscovering who I was meant to be.
With support from my GP, psychologist, and my husband (a truly gifted Gallup Strengths coach), I slowly rebuilt my confidence and clarity. I began to believe again—not just in life, but in myself.
And now, I’m combining everything I’ve lived through and learned into something I deeply believe in: Mental Health Coaching.
I trained with PreKure, an organisation delivering evidence-based mental health coaching, backed by a highly reputable faculty. Their approach combines science, compassion, and practical tools that truly empower people to make sustainable change—and it deeply aligns with my heart and purpose.
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Here’s what I believe:
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· Mental health support doesn’t have to wait until crisis hits.
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· Coaching can be a safe, forward-focused space where healing begins.
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· You can learn to understand your emotions, build resilience, and reconnect with hope.
If you’re feeling stuck, low, or unsure where to begin—mental health coaching could be the gentle, empowering support you need.
I’m here to help you rediscover your light, your strengths, and your joy. If you’re curious or just want to chat, I’d love to connect.