By Katie Bateman
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a tough cookie. Growing up in rural New Zealand, that’s how we rolled. If something was hard or uncomfortable, you sucked it up and got the job done. It wasn’t until recently that I realised how deeply I’d internalised that mindset—and how it was taking the sparkle out of my life and career.
Sneaky Symptoms
At first, I thought I needed a few good nights’ sleep, but the constant tiredness, loss of motivation, and surviving off caffeine started to wear thin. I kept pushing, working harder, doing more—because honestly? I’m a high-energy person. I love “doing,” and that’s what I know how to do well. But eventually, my body forced me to listen.
A Moment of Clarity
After an emotional conversation with my husband, as I tried to explain what I was experiencing, he encouraged me to go to my aviation doctor to see if we could get some better insights into what was going on—and ideally, how I could start getting back to my sparkly self again. I remember sitting in my doctor’s office, rattling off my list of symptoms—tired but wired, brain fog, overwhelmed, exhausted no matter how much I slept. For the first time, instead of prescribing iron supplements or telling me to “take it easy,” he looked at me and said, “This sounds like burnout.”
I was gutted. Because I knew I’d done it to myself. Fatigue is a strange old thing, though—it creeps up on you. I didn’t even think I was working that hard. I wasn’t doing many overnights or back-of-the-clock flying. But I still had a lot on my plate—trying to be a perfect pilot, wife, friend, wellness enthusiast, and spiritual seeker all at once. The pressure to “keep it together” was insidious. When I finally stopped for long enough to be honest with myself, the truth was undeniable: I was running on empty.
Small Shifts with Big Impact
I had to shift my mindset and decide to take a different approach. I didn’t look for a magic bullet or quick fix—instead I chose patience and radical honesty, a lot of trial and error, and lots of cat cuddles on the couch. I started small: three minutes of breath work, choosing gentle mobility over high-intensity workouts, and prioritising time outside instead of endlessly working on my computer. Honestly, this was tough mentally. As soon as I started slowing down, the negative self-talk kicked in, telling me I was lazy. But I was determined, so I got geeky.
Learning a New Language of Wellness
I learned more about my nervous system, blood sugar balance, and hormone health—and that helped me slowly but surely turn down the internal dialogue that had me believing in hustle culture. What surprised me most was that it took longer than I expected to start feeling normal again. It was slow and non-linear. One day, I’d feel great; the next I’d feel flat as a pancake.
But eventually, I started to recognise the patterns—how certain choices helped or hurt, how my inner critic drove me to keep performing even when my body screamed for rest. In this process, I discovered a different kind of strength. I learned how to regulate my nervous system with simple tools like tapping (EFT), mindful breathing, grounding in nature, and taking breaks before I hit a wall.
Radical Honesty
I also confronted parts of myself I’d tried to ignore—self-doubt, perfectionism, the fear of being seen as lazy or weak. In a male-dominated career like aviation, there’s often unspoken pressure as a woman to prove yourself—to always perform, never complain, and definitely never let them see you struggle.
Redefining Resilience and Productivity
I think many of us confuse pretending we’re okay with actually being resilient (I definitely did). In truth, resilience is being honest about where you’re at and finding the courage to show up for yourself. Setting boundaries, giving yourself grace, and being open to new approaches and tools that support you.
I’ve learned that self-discipline doesn’t mean running myself into the ground. It means making daily choices that support my energy, protect my peace, and honour my body’s signals.
A New Approach to Life
I’m a firm believer in every experience being a lesson or a blessing—and I honestly think experiencing and overcoming fatigue has been both for me. It’s helped me put a new spin on some core values I already had, including:
- Resilience—the kind built on self-awareness, not just endurance.
- Self-discipline—in showing up for my wellness, not just my work.
- Courage—to honour my intuition and listen to my body, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Compassion—especially towards myself.
And perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that my worth isn’t tied to how much I do, how “on” I seem, or how many plates I can keep spinning.
My worth is inherent—and my wellness is not a luxury. It’s a foundation.
This Journey Isn’t Over—And That’s Okay
There are still long days, difficult flights, and moments when the old patterns sneak back in. But now I have the tools to catch them, pause, reset, and choose again.
If You’re Feeling Depleted Too…
If you’re feeling exhausted or disconnected, I hope this gives you permission to slow down and check-in. You don’t need to wait for a full-blown burnout to make a change. Start small. Get honest. Ask yourself what truly supports your well-being—and start building from there.
True resilience isn’t about powering through. It’s about coming home to yourself—and choosing to stay.
About the Author
Katie Bateman is a New Zealand-born pilot based in Perth, WA, with a passion for wellness, personal growth, and helping others reconnect with what truly lights them up. When she’s not in the flight deck, Katie’s diving into all things health, spirituality, and mindset—sharing her own experiences with honesty, heart, and a touch of humour. Through her blog, The Wellness Glow-Up, she offers down-to-earth insights and practical tools for women navigating busy lives who want to feel more energised, aligned, and empowered.
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