In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Dr Russell Thackeray talks to Debbie R. Weiss. She discusses her experiences as a family caregiver for her father, son and husband, and her journey of self-discovery, including her struggles with burnout and weight loss. Debbie shares how she was burnt out for 25-30 years, feeling angry and resentful, until she turned 50 and took a weekend trip to Bermuda, where she realised she had lost herself. She then made a conscious effort to change her life and focus on her own desires and aspirations. She also explores topics such as mortality, motivation, the importance of self-care and finding new purpose in life.

Main topics

• The impact of the loss of her father had on her life.
• The challenge of her husband's mental illness and why she stayed with him.
• Why Debbie attributes her sense of duty and advocacy to her upbringing, which made her feel insecure and judged.
• How she found purpose in taking care of her father and husband, which allowed her to find her voice and advocate for them.
• The concept of mortality and motivation
• Why turning 50 prompted Debbie to embark on a journey of self-discovery.
• The pressure of losing a significant amount of weight within a short time frame and why it can lead to feelings of failure.
• Why you need to shift mindset and realise that weight loss is a lifestyle change rather than a temporary fix.
• The importance of self-care, including setting boundaries and saying no, to become more present and tolerant.

Find out more at:

• Website: DebbieRWeiss.com for more information, books, and resources.
• Memoir "On Second Thought, Maybe I Can" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Thought-Maybe-Can/dp/1950476693
• Podcast: Maybe I Can - https://www.debbierweiss.com/blog

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