I used to think my worth was tied to how much I could do. How much I could output. How many things I could check off a list while smiling through the ache.
I don’t believe that anymore.
In this episode of Beauty in the Break, Cesar and I go off-script (again) in our recurring series Say More! We draw from a deck of unexpected questions—and what follows is part confessional, part comedy, part healing release. We talk about why hustle culture nearly broke us, the weird jobs we survived, and how we’re learning to live a different way.
We’ve Been Sold a Lie About Productivity
If you’ve ever wondered:
- how do I stop burning out?
- is this all there is?
- why am I always exhausted and behind?
- will I ever get to the top of this mountain?
- how do I quit the grind?
—then you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
I thought that if I just kept pushing, kept producing, I’d earn rest. I didn’t know that rest was something I had to claim, not chase.
In this episode, we share the new belief we both share about hustle culture. We reflect on what replaced hustle for us: creativity, connection, and actually listening to our bodies (instead of steamrolling them).
This episode is also full of humor and ridiculous stories, like:
- The ice cream scooping job that broke my triceps (and my spirit)
- The pit bull who literally saved a man’s life
- What Cesar would do if he were a woman for a day (spoiler: it’s wild)
- What it means to find a partner who helps you become more you
Through it all, we talk about the transformation that happens when you stop performing and start telling the truth.
If you're burned out, here’s what I want you to know: Burnout isn’t a failure. Being tired doesn’t mean you’re lazy. And choosing rest isn’t weakness—it’s rebellion.
You don’t have to hustle your way to worthiness. You can stop. You can heal. And if you’re craving a space where it’s safe to laugh and be honest about what’s actually going on behind the scenes… this episode might just be your new favorite.
🎧 Listen now: Say More! Vol 2: Hustle Culture Sucks & Other Dangerously Fun Confessionals