What happens when you finally achieve everything you worked so hard for, but instead of joy, you just feel exhausted? In this episode of The Black Woman’s Confidant, Dr. Nicole sits down with Dr. Jeannie Lawrence, board-certified psychiatrist and performance coach for high-achieving women. Drawing from both her clinical expertise and personal lived experience, Dr. Jeannie unpacks the “letdown of success”—that quiet, confusing space where you appear thriving on the outside, but are running on empty on the inside.
As psychiatrists who help high achieving women, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jeannie break down why you were never meant to carry the world on your shoulders, how you can shift your target from surface-level happiness to deep personal fulfillment, and how you can build a life that is both successful and sustainable. If you’ve hit your big goals only to ask, “Is this all there is?”, this conversation is your permission slip to stop putting yourself last.
About Dr. Jeannie Lawrence
Dr. Jeannie Lawrence, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist, and coach who works with high-achieving women navigating burnout, chronic stress, and the hidden pressures of demanding medical careers.
Through her work, she helps high-achieving women step out of survival mode and rebuild their lives with greater clarity, calm, and personal alignment. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, Dr. Jeannie understands what it feels like to appear successful on the outside while quietly struggling on the inside.
Her work focuses on helping high-achieving women to stop putting themselves last, reclaim their time and energy, and build careers and lives that are both meaningful and sustainable.
Key Points
00:20 Introduction
1:45 Why Dr. Lawrence chose Psychiatry
4:00 The process of medical school
5:00 How Dr. Washington chose Psychiatry
6:00 Working with professional women
7:30 What happens after you achieve your goals
9:50 Success comes with stress
11:00 The goal post of happiness is always moving
12:20 Realizing what you are really after
14:20 Happiness and fulfillment are two different things
16:00 Chasing happiness
18:00 How to intentionally seek happiness
20:00 Gratitude practices
21:00 Rest is an action word
22:30 Enjoying the journey
24:00 Keep your “why” in mind
25:00 Trying to prove yourself worthy can be problematic
26:00 Why burnout happens
28:00 Dr. Lawrence’s favorite burnout prevention tips
31:30 Remembering you have choices
32:00 You may not find fulfillment in your job
33:10 Treat yourself as the MVP
35:00 The imbalance of burden
36:45 We are conditioned to carry the all of the load
37:50 The discomfort of asking for help
40:00 Where you can find Dr. Lawrence
40:45 Conclusion
Episode Resources
Follow Dr. Jeannie on Instagram @dr.jeannielawrencemd
Follow Dr. Jeannie on Facebook @dr.jeannielawrencemd
Follow Dr. Jeannie on LinkedIn @Dr. Jeannie Lawrence MD
Visit Dr. Jeannie’s Site site: JeannieLawrenceMd.com
Connect with Dr. Nicole
Follow the Podcast @theblackwomansconfidant
Follow Dr. Nicole on Instagram @drnicolepsych
Follow Dr. Nicole on Facebook Dr. Nicole Psych
Follow Dr. Nicole on X @drnicolepsych
Follow Dr. Nicole on tik tok @drnicolepsych
About The Black Woman’s Confidant
The Black Woman’s Confidant is a sanctuary for successful Black women to take off the cape, prioritize their mental health, and navigate life, leadership, and wellness with authenticity. Hosted by physician and speaker Dr. Nicole Washington.
#Burnout #HighAchievers #MentalHealthForWomen #Psychiatry #WomenInLeadership #TheLetdownOfSuccess #BlackWomansConfidant
