Burnout, Stress & Resilience: Kent Johns on Thriving in a High-Pressure World

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This week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to Kent Johns—former broadcaster turned health coach—about a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant in today’s high-pressure world: burnout. Having worked extensively with executives and professionals, Kent has seen firsthand the common patterns that lead high-achievers to the brink of exhaustion.
In this conversation, Kent shares his insights into distinguishing between ‘good stress’—the kind that fuels performance—and ‘bad stress,’ which leads to breakdown. He explains how burnout isn’t just a mental issue but has profound physiological consequences, and how recognising the early warning signs can be key to prevention.
They discuss the role of lifestyle factors—like nutrition, sleep, and movement—in building resilience, and the specific interventions Kent finds most effective for those struggling to balance their health with demanding careers. He also explores the mindset traps that executives often fall into, such as the pressure to be ‘always on,’ and how he coaches clients to shift their perspective.
 
This is a thought-provoking and highly practical conversation for anyone looking to take charge of their health in a high-performance world. Enjoy!

Kent is a certified Health and Mental Wellbeing Coach and Nutritional Counsellor. He established Kent Johns Health to assist businesses to help their employees better look after themselves and thrive in life. He is an experienced public speaker and former award-winning sports broadcaster, and the host of “Take It From Us”, a radio programme and podcast that deals with mental wellbeing and addiction issues. He is also a regular health contributor on New Zealand’s largest radio station, Newstalk ZB, and is a proud ambassador for Men’s Health Week.
Kent lives with his partner Laura in Auckland, NZ, with their two young children. As well as a passion for sport, he plays tennis and walks to stay fit, loves to cook, and his local beach is his special place.