Level Up! Permission to be Human: Rewriting the Gifted Identity to Prevent Burnout

Many gifted people will recognize the weight of high expectations and how it can shape an identity rooted in achievement, perfectionism, and over-functioning. In leadership roles, this identity can drive excellence, and also makes burnout more likely. This talk explores how the early formation of a "gifted identity" can become a double-edged sword, especially when adult realities don't match childhood projections of exceptionalism. We'll examine how reframing identity to include the core of being human can open the door to self-compassion, sustainable self-care, and more effective and inclusive leadership. By understanding limits, imperfections, and vulnerability in a new way, gifted leaders can protect their well-being and lead others with greater empathy and authenticity.

Biography: Dr. Rebecca Hubbard is a licensed clinical psychologist, TEDx Speaker, and certified Kemetic yoga instructor based in Chicago. With personal experience navigating hustle culture, she understands the toll that burnout and chronic overworking can take on mental health, especially for high-achieving individuals. Since earning her doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 2014, she has provided therapy in private practice to athletes, graduate and professional students, and people with immigrant backgrounds. She uses both clinical tools and holistic practices to help clients reconnect with themselves and avoid burnout. Dr. Hubbard is deeply committed to helping others redefine success, reclaim rest, and thrive beyond the demands of constant productivity.

Level Up! area of focus: Care of Self and Others

Topic: Level Up! with Dr. Rebecca Hubbard
Time: Feb 23, 2026, 7 p.m., Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting here.
Meeting ID: 897 2534 4536
Passcode: 211269
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For more information, contact Rachel Kibler at rachelregion9@gmail.com.