High Achievement's Health Toll
What Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Know
I've witnessed the consequences of delayed self-care from both sides of the stretcher. I've treated high-achieving women in crisis while navigating my own challenges—circadian disruption, infertility, metabolic health struggles, and the burnout that inevitably follows.
My own journey with IVF was a humbling reminder of how much stress, hormones, and a relentless schedule can impact reproductive health. I’ll never forget the look on my reproductive endocrinologist’s face when I told him I was an ER physician—it spoke volumes about the toll this lifestyle takes. The data from my continuous glucose monitor reflected in real-time the effects of unpredictable shifts and chronic stress, further validating what I was seeing in my patients: the undeniable costs of pushing through without prioritizing health.
I've spent years working with accomplished women in their 40s who embody what society celebrates as "having it all." Yet beneath the polished exterior of career success and family management lies a pervasive pattern of health neglect that deserves our focused attention. The metabolic impact is particularly concerning – irregular eating patterns combined with chronic stress can trigger insulin resistance, making our bodies increasingly inefficient at processing glucose and maintaining energy balance.
At 40, many women find themselves at the intersection of peak career demands, complex family responsibilities and a dramatic change in our body’s physiology. The executive who postpones her annual physical because of back-to-back meetings. The entrepreneur who dismisses persistent fatigue as "just part of the hustle." The physician who manages everyone's health except her own. These stories reflect a broader narrative where personal wellbeing becomes collateral damage on the path to achievement.
Research shows that women in their 40s experience burnout differently than their male counterparts, with higher rates of physical manifestations like cardiovascular conditions and hormonal imbalances. This isn't just about being tired – it's about a systemic disconnect between external success and internal wellbeing. Our bodies are experiencing fundamental shifts in how they process stress, maintain bone density, and regulate metabolism – changes that demand our attention rather than our denial.
What makes this phase particularly challenging is the confluence of biological and social factors. Perimenopause often begins during this decade, bringing physical changes that demand attention precisely when many women are reaching senior positions they've worked years to attain. The body starts sending signals that can't be silenced with another cup of coffee or weekend recovery session.
Conditioned by societal and cultural expectations, many of us grew up in an era that emphasized "leaning in" without ever teaching us when or how to step back. We internalized the belief that self-care is a luxury—something indulgent—rather than understanding it as essential for sustained performance and long-term wellbeing.
Here's what real accountability for health needs can look like:
We need to reframe health appointments as non-negotiable commitments. Just as you wouldn't miss a board meeting, your annual physical, dental check-ups, and preventive screenings deserve protected space in your calendar. Consider implementing a quarterly health audit – a systematic review of your physical and mental wellbeing metrics.
Recognize that rest is a productivity strategy. The research is clear: cognitive performance, decision-making ability, and emotional regulation all improve with adequate rest and recovery. This isn't about spa days (though those are lovely); it's about fundamental biological needs.
Build a proactive health team that goes beyond the traditional health care model of solely a primary care physician. Invest in a health coach, a personal trainer This might include a primary care physician who understands high-performance lifestyles, an endocrinologist to monitor hormonal health, and a health coach to help maintain accountability. Think of this as your personal board of directors for wellbeing. Regular monitoring of key health markers – from hormone levels to glucose regulation – should be as routine as checking your quarterly business metrics.
The most successful women I know aren’t the ones who never experience burnout—they’re the ones who recognize its early signals and act quickly. They understand that their health isn’t a separate silo from their success; it’s the foundation that sustains it.
Personally and professionally, I’ve learned that the shift often begins with one simple question: “What would happen to the people depending on you if your health forced you to stop?” That perspective is often the wake-up call to prioritize preventative care.
Remember, prioritizing your health doesn’t mean scaling back your ambitions. It means being intentional about where your energy goes so you can do more of what truly matters.
The next generation of female leaders needs examples of success that include self-care—not just impressive résumés.
So ask yourself, What health signals have you been ignoring lately? What's one small step you could take this week toward better health accountability? Your body is keeping score – isn't it time you started tracking the metrics that truly matter?