Rest as a Radical Act of Leadership

I’ve always known that hustle and grind culture is toxic. Even as I built Shea Radiance, I was intentional about creating a business that uplifts women—starting with myself. I've long believed that wellness and wholeness are not luxuries for leaders; they are prerequisites.

But last month, after donating a kidney to my son, that belief became even more real.

Just one week after surgery, I thought I was feeling well enough to ease back into work. I wasn’t doing anything “strenuous”—just emails, presentations, light decision-making from bed. But by the end of the day, I was completely drained. My body, my mind, and my spirit were all telling me the same thing: You cannot lead well if you don’t allow yourself to heal.

That moment wasn’t a wake-up call—I had already been awake. It was a confirmation that we can’t pour from an empty well, no matter how capable or committed we are.

As women in leadership, we are constantly managing expectations—others’ and our own. The pressure to be productive, available, and “on” never really stops. But here’s the truth:
The most powerful leaders are not the most exhausted ones. They are the ones who know how to protect their peace, listen to their bodies, and lead from a place of deep alignment.

Rest is not a retreat from leadership—it’s an investment in it.

At Shea Radiance, our mission is to uplift women. That begins with how we lead ourselves. Choosing rest doesn’t mean we’re stepping back from impact; it means we’re building sustainability into our mission.

Here’s what I continue to hold as truth:

1. I can be driven and deeply rested.
2. I can lead with excellence without depleting my soul.
3. I can create a powerful legacy by modeling a healthier way to lead.
   

We don’t need to prove our worth through burnout. We don’t have to wear struggle as a badge of honor.

There is strength in softness. Wisdom in stillness. And power in pausing.

So no—I never bought into hustle culture. But this experience has anchored me even deeper in my commitment to lead with rest, with intention, and with grace.

If you’re a woman in leadership, this is your reminder: you don’t need to hustle harder. You need to trust your knowing, honor your rhythms, and rest like the future depends on it.

Because it does.