Burnout to Balance: Career & Wellness Takeaways from the Texas Conference for Women
Reflections from the Texas Conference for Women, Embracing Wellness & Authenticity
This week, thanks to the incredible Austin Alliance for Women in Media, I had the privilege of attending the 25th Texas Conference for Women—and what an inspiring day it was!
The event was packed with insights, motivation, and some powerful discussions about wellness, mental health, and career growth. As someone who has experienced burnout, it felt uplifting to see mental health being prioritized in the corporate space. The event was a strong reminder that protecting our energy, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care aren't just buzzwords, they are essential practices for building sustainable careers.
I kicked off the day with a session titled "Reinventing Your Career Portfolio" featuring Juliet Bishop, Norma Dorst, Tamara Fields, and Jeanette Ward. This session resonated deeply with me. As a former corporate career-climber turned freelance media manager, I saw both my past and future in that room. Hearing women in the audience talk about their career transitions reminded me that none of us are alone in this process. We are all figuring it out, taking risks, and finding success in our own ways. The speakers reassured me that the leap into freelancing wasn't just a phase, but part of a larger journey towards the kind of career I truly wanted.
The keynote sessions were no less inspiring. One standout moment for me was Tabitha Brown's talk on resilience, intuition, and staying true to yourself. Her journey—from driving for Uber to becoming a bestselling author and Emmy-winning host—reminded me how embracing authenticity leads to the success we're meant to have. Hearing her talk about authenticity helped me realize that, for a long time, ghostwriting had been making me feel like a ghost. It was time for me to put a face to my brand, to show up as my true self in everything I do.
I walked away from the conference with a renewed sense of purpose. This event wasn’t just about networking or listening to speakers—it was a call to action for all of us to live authentically, to show up as our real selves in the world, and to build the kind of careers that align with our true values.
A heartfelt thank you to the Texas Conference for Women for putting on such a phenomenal event, and a special thanks to Austin Alliance for Women in Media for making it possible for me to attend.
For anyone reading this who is looking for ways to better manage stress or prioritize mental health, I highly recommend checking out one of my favorite clients, Dr. Elizabeth Miller and Well Mind Body, for some amazing resources.
Brystal McKee
Founder, McKee Media
