22. Corporate Burnout: Redefining Success for Men with Nic Collins

In this episode of the Men Need Love Too podcast, Kat Anna sits down with Nic Collins, a certified rehabilitation counselor, public speaker and author of Advance, to discuss corporate burnout, men's mental health and redefining success. Through Nic's personal experiences and professional insights, we explore authenticity, imposter syndrome, core values and practical ways to make lasting change using the five stages of change. Nic spent nearly 20 years in corporate sales. From the outside it looked like success, but inside he was struggling, and he went through a very dark time before he found his way through. Years of therapy and self-discovery later, he walked away from corporate life and built one around service, family and authenticity. Nic reminds us that success means something different for each of us, and that rest is not laziness. He shares the five stages of change and why the most important step is simply taking action. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:31 Meet Nic Collins 02:43 "Corporate America took my soul" 05:22 Wearing the mask 07:45 Struggling in silence 08:24 Reaching his lowest point 11:12 Whatever gets you through 14:34 Radical acceptance 15:21 A decade of therapy 16:27 Being an emotional man 17:41 The trip to Nicaragua 19:59 Courage and taking the leap 21:11 The van trip across America 24:01 You're not that important to the company 28:25 Why rest isn't lazy 29:36 The cost of chasing the carrot 32:01 Redefining success 34:16 Nic's core values 37:54 Choosing your mentors 41:26 Men's work and men's retreats 47:30 You can't be everything to your partner 51:21 Advice for a burnt out man 53:35 The five stages of change 58:16 Nic's book Advance and where to find him CONNECT WITH NIC Nic Collins is a public speaker, mental health professional, and author with a passion for helping others live with authenticity, confidence, and alignment. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Maxwell Leadership certified speaker, coach, and facilitator. Nic’s message blends his own lived experience, professional training, and insights from twenty years in corporate America - in a storytelling, relatable format. He is creator and co-host of the Constant Quest Podcast, and curator of The Constant Quest men's gathering in the mountains of north Georgia, focusing on community, connection, and growth. He is the author of Advance- Discover Alignment and Authenticity by Living in Concert With Your Situation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic\_collins\_authentic?igsh=MWt3bjBmYnViYm81Yg%3D%3D&utm_ source=qr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-collins-65843a7b?utm\_source=share&utm\_campaign=share\_via &utm\_content=profile&utm\_medium=ios\_app TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niccollins22?\_r=1&\_t=ZT-96Nj7D7GleI Book: Advance by Nic Collins https://a.co/d/099NMjyN Website: https://niccollinsauthentic.com CONNECT WITH MEN NEED LOVE TOO Website: https://www.menneedlovetoo.org Kings Academy: https://menneedlovetoo.org/kings-academy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bh9FgzbxR/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/men.need.love.too?igsh=MTR2dXNieDE3ZngyNw== Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MenNeedLoveTooPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-anna-1a7bb0358 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@menneedlovetoo.org?\_r=1&\_t=ZS-97LearC7OJb TAKE ACTION Sign the petition to include men in global domestic violence data: https://www.change.org/includemenglobaldvdata If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, share this episode and helpmore men discover these conversations. #MenNeedLoveToo #MensMentalHealth #Burnout