The New Peak

High Performers Hide It Well Until They Can't

Robin O'Grady is an international speaker, corporate culture specialist, athletic trainer, aerial arts performer, and member of the CAPS National Board — and she reads bodies for a living.
In this episode, Robin shares what she actually sees in high performers under pressure: the physical signals that appear long before performance drops, the biomechanical reality of dopamine spikes and rising cortisol, and why the body eventually stops waiting to be heard.
We also get into the "whirling dervish" moment — Robin's image of pulling yourself out of the tornado and standing in the eye of the storm — and her three buckets framework for sustainable performance across mind, body, and soul.
A grounded, practical conversation for high performers who want to sustain their best without paying the price later.
Ready to do something about it before the crash?→ nicolamccrabbe.com/coaching

The Perfectionism Trap and How to Get Out

f you’re a high achiever or leader who looks successful on the outside but feels exhausted on the inside, this episode is for you.
In this solo episode of The New Peak Podcast, Nicola McCrabbe shares her personal journey with perfectionism, burnout, and the pressure to constantly prove herself. From growing up on a farm in Ireland to becoming a professor and eventually experiencing burnout twice, Nicola explains how perfectionistic thinking can quietly drain your energy, relationships, confidence, and health — even while you continue to perform at a high level.
This episode explores the hidden connection between perfectionism and burnout, why high performers often normalize stress, and how sustainable leadership requires a different approach.
If you struggle to switch off, constantly question whether you’re doing enough, or find it hard to enjoy success before chasing the next goal, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Can Joy Fuel Sustainable Performance? With Six-Time Olympic Medalist Cindy Klassen

Six-time Olympic medalist Cindy Klassen joins Nicola McCrabbe to discuss the realities of performing under pressure, overcoming setbacks, and sustaining success over time. From getting cut from hockey teams to recovering from a career-threatening injury, Cindy shares the mindset shifts that helped her stay resilient and grounded. This conversation explores leadership, joy, perspective, and what it really takes to perform at a high level without burning out. A powerful episode for leaders, athletes, and high-performers alike.

The "Fluff-Free" Framework for Leading People Without Burning Out

What actually supports employees under pressure?
In this episode, Naomi shares insights from her research into employee well-being, revealing that emotional intelligence and communication—not perks—are what truly matter. We explore how leaders can build trust, support their teams, and sustain performance without burnout.
A must-listen for leaders navigating high-pressure environments.

Leading Under Pressure: What leaders Miss!

Leaders today face constant pressure to perform while navigating rapid change. But how do you sustain high performance without burning out yourself or your team?
In this episode of the New Peak Podcast, Nicola speaks with VP of Engineering, Jason Sanchez about leading through acquisitions, spotting early signs of burnout in high performers, and creating environments where individuals can thrive. They explore the importance of trust, intrinsic motivation, and helping people find the work that truly “fills their cup.”

If the Laundry’s Overflowing, You Might Be Too

What happens when you take on everything — and never say no?
In this episode of The New Peak Podcast, I’m joined by Natasha Rogers, who shares how carrying too much responsibility gradually led her into burnout.
It wasn’t one dramatic collapse. It was subtle. A growing impatience. Feeling stretched thin. Ignoring the quiet warning signs.
Until the “dirty laundry” became the breaking point.
That overflowing pile wasn’t really about laundry — it was the signal that something deeper needed attention.
Together, we explore:
• The pressure of always being the responsible one• Why high achievers struggle to say no• The emotional and physical signs of burnout• The moment she realised something had to change• How a trip home created space to reset• Learning to be kinder to yourself• Becoming more intentional about balance and boundaries
If you’ve been carrying too much, feeling less like yourself, or noticing the small signs you keep brushing aside — this conversation will resonate.
Burnout doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it looks like laundry you don’t have the energy to fold.
🎧 Listen and reflect: What might your “overflowing laundry” be telling you?
🎧 Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to The New Peak Podcast00:42 – Life Before Burnout: Living Where You Work02:23 – Sudden Work Overload & Three Roles at Once03:19 – Personal Chaos & Family Crisis04:23 – Early Warning Signs: “I Thought I Was Coping”05:28 – The Breaking Point: Tears in the Interview07:18 – Booking a Flight & The Dirty Laundry Moment10:04 – Recovery Begins: Taking a Real Break12:06 – Redefining Success & Choosing Joy14:04 – Advice to Others: Trust Yourself & Speak Up15:46 – Proud Quitting, Boundaries & Balance19:16 – Final Reflections: Reflecting on What Truly Matters
📌 Connect & Resources
Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rogers/
Take the Burnout Quiz:https://nicolamccrabbe.com/test/burnout-quiz/
Learn more about coaching with Nicola:https://nicolamccrabbe.com/coaching
Read Nicola's book - Burnout Be Gone:https://tinyurl.com/4u8jas5u/
Subscribe to The New Peak Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite platform.

Stepping Into Olympic Pressure for the 1st Time

Hi everyone — welcome to the first episode of The New Peak Podcast! I’m Nicola McCrabbe, and my mission is to help leaders, high-performers, and anyone who wants to sustain pressure under pressure without burning out.
In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca Ribi, a bobsleigh athlete preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. Recorded just before she hit the track, Bianca shares her incredible journey — from playing soccer, to firefighting, to Olympic bobsleigh — and how she stays resilient, motivated, and focused under enormous pressure.
Together, we explore:
What it really takes to pivot into a completely new sport
Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and setbacks
How to maintain focus, motivation, and trust with your team
Routines and strategies for peak performance without burning out
Whether you’re a high-performer, a leader, or just someone who wants to show up fully in life, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, preparation, and mental strength.
🎧 **Episode Timestamps**  
0:45 – First Olympics: how it feels right now  1:30 – From soccer & firefighting to bobsleigh  3:00 – Discovering bobsleigh and stepping into elite sport  6:00 – Performing under pressure (firefighting mindset)  7:35 – The hardest part of transitioning sports  9:28 – Self-doubt, fear, and setbacks  10:45 – Learning how to work with fear  11:55 – Staying motivated when progress is slow  13:30 – When the Olympic dream felt out of reach  16:15 – Pushing hard without burning out  17:58 – Preparing with less than a month to go  20:22 – Trust, teamwork, and teammates  21:33 – Standing at the start line: emotions  23:23 – What this journey reveals about resilience  25:58 – Crossing the finish line
 
📌 Connect & Subscribe
Subscribe to The New Peak Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app
Follow me for tips on resilience, leadership, and thriving under pressure: [Nicolamccrabbe.com / https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamccrabbe/]
Share this episode with a friend who wants to show up fully and sustainably in life