"You Are More Than What You Do: Rediscovering Purpose Beyond Burnout "with Guest Cheryl Olfert

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Special Guest: Cheryl Olfert — Nurse Practitioner, Educator & Women's Empowerment Advocate What happens when the life you've worked so hard to build no longer brings you the fulfillment you thought it would? In this inspiring and deeply personal episode of Life Warriors, Teresa and Mary welcome Cheryl Olfert, a healthcare professional with 30 years of experience who now helps women move beyond exhaustion, overwhelm, and the expectations that often keep them from living authentically. From the age of three, Cheryl knew she wanted to become a nurse and make a difference in Africa. By 22, she had accomplished that dream. But her experiences caring for people in challenging and sometimes traumatic circumstances eventually led her to question something she had believed her entire life: Was nursing truly her purpose, or simply one way of fulfilling it? After years of pushing herself, experiencing burnout, and suffering an unexpected injury that forced her to slow down, Cheryl began a journey of self-discovery. She realized that her deepest fulfillment wasn't tied to a job title. It came from helping others recognize their potential, find hope, and discover their own purpose. Together, Teresa, Mary, and Cheryl explore the hidden toll of burnout, the cumulative effects of stress, and why so many people—especially women—struggle to set boundaries, say no, and prioritize themselves. Through candid conversations about caregiving, cancer, grief, healthcare challenges, and advocating for yourself and those you love, they reveal how easily we can lose ourselves while trying to be everything to everyone. This episode reminds us that our purpose is bigger than our profession, our circumstances, or the expectations placed upon us. Life will challenge us. Our roles will change. Sometimes the very things that once defined us will disappear. But that doesn't mean our purpose disappears with them. Sometimes, discovering who we're truly meant to be begins when life forces us to stop and ask why. Cheryl challenges listeners to think about the most fulfilling day of their lives and ask themselves WHY seven times. Start by identifying a moment when you felt genuinely fulfilled. Ask yourself why it mattered. Then take that answer and ask why again, continuing until you've explored seven layers of meaning. The goal is to look beyond what you were doing and discover the deeper reason it brought you fulfillment. Because your purpose isn't necessarily your job, your title, or what others expect from you. It's what gives your life meaning—and that can stay with you even when everything else changes. Links: www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-olfert Facebook Instagram Cheryl Olfert