The Power of Pause: How Workaholics Can Win Through Wellness with Sharon D. Brown
Welcome to another empowering episode of Rise Urban Nation with host Taryell Simmons, where we amplify the voices of Black and Pan-African entrepreneurs redefining success. In this episode, we explore the vital topic of workplace wellness and overcoming grind culture with licensed clinical social worker and self-carepreneur Sharon D. Brown. Together, they dive into why hitting pause is an essential business strategy to prevent burnout and sustain long-term vitality.
Sharon shares her turning point after a major breakup and family health crises that pushed her to seek deeper somatic healing practices.
The concept of radical acceptance as a tool to release over-responsibility for others and protect personal energy.
Taryell compares the human body to a smartphone, reminding listeners that even machines must pause to recharge.
Sharon outlines her Take 5 to Thrive framework designed to interrupt stress cycles in just five minutes.
A discussion on connecting personal wellness habits to generational wealth and financial security.
The Power of Pause: Understanding why intentional rest is necessary to reset the nervous system and move out of fight-or-flight survival mode.
Somatic and Energy Healing: Moving beyond traditional talk therapy by integrating yoga, breathwork, and Reiki to release distress stored in the body.
Radical Acceptance: Learning to give loved ones agency over their choices while maintaining emotional boundaries as a caregiver and professional.
Take Five to Thrive: Implementing a five-step, five-minute routine centered on breathing, movement, noticing, presence, and authenticity.
Wellness and Wealth: Recognizing the financial costs of severe health crises and creating long-term protections through healthy lifestyle habits and planning.
Incorporate intentional breathing exercises throughout the workday to interrupt chronic stress responses.
View self-care not as an occasional luxury, but as an ongoing operational lifestyle essential for sustainable leadership.
Establish clear emotional boundaries and practice radical acceptance to avoid taking on the distress of clients and loved ones.
Build proactive health and financial habits early to protect both personal well-being and long-term economic stability.
Sharon D. Brown is a licensed clinical social worker, wellness educator, and the founder of the Self-Care U Academy. Drawing from her background in mental health, yoga, and Reiki, she empowers leaders and entrepreneurs to overcome burnout and build sustainable self-care practices. Connect with Sharon directly on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-d-brown and explore her 42 and Free Circle community.
Taryell Simmons: Welcome back family to another episode of Rise Urban Nation where we unite, uplift, and ignite the voices of Black and Pan-African entrepreneurs who are rewriting the narrative of success. I am your host, Simmons, and today conversation is about something we do not talk about enough in our grind culture: the power of pause. How do we balance success with our own well-being? How do we keep pouring into others when our cup is empty? Today guest knows that struggle all too well. Sharon D. Brown, licensed clinical social worker, self-carepreneur, and founder of the Self-Care U Academy, is on a mission to help leaders transform stress into energy, joy, and financial freedom. Welcome, Ms. Brown.
Sharon D. Brown: It is definitely a joy to be here. Self-care is something that I love. Life circumstances brought me to the pause, to self-care, and wellness. Being a therapist, I have seen a lot, and my experiences led me into my purpose.
Taryell Simmons: A lot of folks in our community are running on fumes right now. Before we jump into your journey, tell people how we connected through Ron Story Jr. at SpeakerHub.
Sharon D. Brown: I came across Ron video on LinkedIn. Part of what I am doing now is reaching as many individuals as possible, and SpeakerHub is a great way to spread the message across podcasts, associations, and conferences.
Taryell Simmons: As a licensed therapist and founder of Self-Care U Academy, what really led you to create this work?
Sharon D. Brown: Three main experiences led me here: a difficult breakup, my parents medical crises, and working within the mental health system. During the breakup, I was crying for forty days and forty nights, and traditional methods were not enough. That led me to yoga and meditation. In crisis mental health work, you absorb other people distress. Stress lives in the body, which is why somatic and embodiment practices are essential. We are often not teaching people how to be well along the way.
Taryell Simmons: How do you realize when self-care shifts from optional to essential?
Sharon D. Brown: Self-care is whatever helps you get to the next moment. It is not just bubble baths or massages; it is taking a walk, preparing for a tough conversation, or setting boundaries. Look at self-care as a lifestyle. When navigating my parents medical challenges, I had to practice radical acceptance—accepting that loved ones have agency over their decisions, which allowed me to release over-functioning for them.
Taryell Simmons: You have mentioned being a recovering workaholic. What was happening when you realized something had to change?
Sharon D. Brown: In mental health and corporate settings, the systems are rarely structured for debriefing or rest. You feel an obligation to keep showing up. But running on empty causes deep wear and tear.
Taryell Simmons: Even a smartphone needs to recharge when the battery hits empty. If a machine requires recharging, our bodies certainly do too.
Sharon D. Brown: Exactly. Leaders must recognize that pausing is essential for themselves and their teams to step out of survival mode.
Taryell Simmons: How do we practically make wellness part of our daily work?
Sharon D. Brown: It begins with a firm decision to prioritize wellness. Taking five deep breaths immediately resets the nervous system. Through Self-Care U Academy, I teach Take 5 to Thrive: five steps for five minutes. Those steps include deep breathing, physical movement, noticing internal and external cues, staying present, and remaining authentic. In our 42 and Free Circle community, leaders support one another in maintaining these habits.
Taryell Simmons: How do you connect financial freedom with personal wellness?
Sharon D. Brown: Health is wealth. When medical emergencies arise without long-term care insurance or proper planning, it places immense emotional and financial strain on families. Prioritizing wellness enables clear-headed decision-making rather than operating from financial scarcity.
Taryell Simmons: What is the biggest lesson you have learned, and where can listeners connect with you?
Sharon D. Brown: The biggest lesson is to pour into myself unapologetically. In order to serve others effectively, I must serve myself first. People can connect with me on LinkedIn under Sharon D. Brown to learn more about the 42 and Free Circle community.
Taryell Simmons: Thank you so much, Sharon. Rest is not weakness; it is wisdom. Until next time, stay rising, stay rooted, and remember you deserve to pause.
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