Episode Details

In this episode of HCA Talks Health, Zena Le Roux interviews Dr Jane Seghal, an NHS GP who shares her powerful journey from the high-pressure environment of the medical field to her current role as a Health Coach. Dr Seghal provides a candid look at the personal and professional challenges—including a demanding training system and significant family health crises—that eventually led to her own experience with burnout. Now working as a health practitioner and coach, she discusses the importance of workplace wellbeing and why "your health is your wealth".

In this episode, you will discover:
- Burnout is often a result of sustained, "creeping" pressure rather than a single event.
- Recognising the professional and personal importance of being told "it’s okay to not be okay".
- Navigating high-pressure environments (like the NHS) where systemic demands can erode team empathy and individual compassion.
- Identifying how severe mental burnout can frequently present as physical symptoms.
- Challenging the "power through" mentality.
- Emphasising that a practitioner’s health is their greatest wealth.

For a Health Practitioner or Health Coach, tuning into this episode offers a vital roadmap for navigating the high-pressure demands of the industry without sacrificing personal wellbeing. Dr Jane Seghal’s powerful transition from a burnt-out NHS GP to a balanced Coach provides essential insights into identifying the early "creeping" signs of exhaustion before they manifest as physical illness. By understanding the systemic pressures that erode compassion, listeners will feel empowered to establish healthier boundaries and move from a reactive to a proactive model of care. This shift not only protects the practitioner but creates a ripple effect of authentic, empathetic support that deeply enhances client outcomes. Ultimately, this conversation proves that a professional life built on health is the foundation for truly sustainable healing.

🌐 To learn more about how Dr Jane can help you, visit www.betterhealthwithdrjane.com. 

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to HCA Talks Health with Dr Jane Seghal
00:19 – Jane’s journey: From chemistry degree to medical school 
03:09 – Early years: Music scholarships and childhood aspirations 
04:52 – The transition from medical student to junior doctor 
06:36 – GP training and the impact of personal challenges 
08:09 – Systemic barriers to flexible and part-time working 
11:23 – Family health crisis: Navigating a husband’s brain surgeries 
13:22 – "It broke me": The cumulative toll of stress and lack of compassion 
16:55 – Physical warning signs: Severe back pain and the road to burnout 
18:03 – Maggie’s Cancer Centre: Receiving the "power of permission" to rest 
20:21 – Six months off: The reality of recovery and reflection 
20:46 – Hindsight and wisdom: What she would have done differently 

Connect with Health Coaches Academy:
📸 Follow HCA on Instagram: @healthcoachesacademy

🌿 Explore a rewarding career in Health & Wellness Coaching: https://www.healthcoachesacademy.com

🔔 Subscribe & Review
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!