Episode 6

6- Conference Thriving, Part 2: Wellness Strategies

In today’s episode, Karen dives into the second part of her “Conference Thriving” series, focusing on strategies to keep your energy high and your health intact during busy conferences. Following last week’s episode on food-related strategies, this episode emphasizes wellness aspects like sleep, hydration, movement, and intentional downtime. Karen shares personal stories and practical tips to help you leave your next conference feeling refreshed, balanced, and motivated rather than depleted. 

"You can’t pour from an empty cup. At conferences, as in life, putting your well-being first isn’t selfish—it’s essential for showing up as your best self." 

Key Takeaways: 

  1. Set Daily Intentions: Define your objective for each day, whether it’s networking, gathering ideas, or making and building key connections. Having a clear intention keeps you grounded, focused and maximizes the value of your experience. 
  2. Manage Social Overload: Conferences are packed with social opportunities, which can be overwhelming. Karen, an introvert herself, shares tips to recharge quickly and effectively so you can engage without depleting all your energy. 
  3. Prioritize Sleep and Hydration: Ensure that rest and hydration are non-negotiables, helping you avoid burnout and maintain mental clarity. Set a bedtime and stay mindful of alcohol to ensure lasting energy. 
  4. Get Your Steps In: Use movement to counter long hours of sitting, whether it’s a morning treadmill session, short walk breaks, or “walking meetings” with colleagues. Small activities can make a big difference in your stamina. 
  5. Build in Downtime: Schedule intentional moments of rest to decompress and process the day’s activities. This can help you avoid burnout and stay present for the most meaningful parts of the conference. 

Karen shares a personal experience from 2019, when a packed travel schedule led her to fall seriously ill at a conference, a wake-up call that motivated her to prioritize wellness in her travels. This story underscores the importance of staying intentional and mindful in high-stress environments.  

Be sure to listen to Conference Thriving Part 1 on managing food choices at events. Until next time, keep taking powerful, aligned action toward your goals! 

Further resources: 

About the Podcast

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Weight Loss for Female Execs Who Travel

About your host

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Karen Gombault

I’m Karen, and I know firsthand the challenges of balancing a passionate career with personal health.

As a former CEO with 30 years in corporate leadership, I’ve lived the pressures of work, travel, raising a family and emotional eating.

For years, I tried every diet, counting calories and macros, even training for marathons, but nothing worked long-term.

It wasn’t until I focused on how I thought about myself and my weight that I finally lost the last 10 pounds and have kept it off over 7 years.

Now, as a coach and mentor, I help ambitious women think differently and lose weight permanently.