From Burnout To Burning Bright + Resiliency with Sarah Michelle Boes (part 1)

What actually reignites a tired mind: more hustle or better design? We dig into the moments that drain us and the choices that light us back up, starting with Natalie’s behind-the-scenes look at a 13-hour reality-TV shoot and the mental gymnastics it demands. That raw, human story sets the tone for an episode about resilience that isn’t performative—it’s practical.

Our guest, Sarah Michelle Boes, MSN APRN FNP-BC, walks us through the unlikely rise of SMNP Reviews, a seven-figure brand built by solving the real problem nursing grads faced during COVID: anxiety and uncertainty, not just content gaps. She breaks down how a $15 review grew into sold-out live cohorts with a pass guarantee, why early word-of-mouth beats ads when the product truly works, and how hiring a coach plus two key team members unlocked her best ideas. We unpack the shift from creator-does-everything to leader-designs-experiences, the difference between time management and energy management, and the operational fixes that stop burnout before it starts.

Growth wasn’t tidy. Sarah shares the hard lessons from a costly “junk code” app, the strain of keywoman syndrome, and the decision to seek strategic partners without compromising values. She and her husband set a non-negotiable number, evaluated culture fit, walked away from a low offer, and ultimately exited on their terms—while preparing for a new season of life. Along the way, you’ll hear clear takeaways on building confidence into your product, guaranteeing outcomes you can control, and designing programs that reduce anxiety and increase mastery.

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Chapters

• 0:06 Why We Lose Our Spark
• 0:18 Show Welcome And Premise
• 0:31 Meet The Hosts
• 0:41 Netflix Reveal: Squid Game Challenge
• 2:40 Behind The Scenes: 13-Hour Shoot
• 3:15 Prep, Dehydration, And Mindset
• 4:39 Guest Introduction: Sarah Bose
• 5:54 From Bedside To Teaching During COVID
• 7:10 The Accidental Entrepreneur
• 9:19 Turning Anxiety Into A Review Course
• 11:08 Word Of Mouth And Early Sales
• 13:58 Hitting Six Figures And Infrastructure Strain
• 15:50 Hiring A Coach And First Team Members
• 18:07 Designing A Low-Anxiety Live Program
• 20:15 Pass Guarantees And Sold-Out Cohorts
• 21:06 Founder Role, Control, And Letting Go
• 22:45 Breaking Software And The App Setback
• 24:16 Considering Partners And The Keywoman Problem
• 26:01 The Decision To Sell
• 27:20 Offer, Number, And Exit
• 29:00 Closing And Listener Actions