And a new chapter begins…
Ten years ago, I left the medical device industry. It seems wild to me that it's been that long.
It was a life chapter I describe as more than a job. It was a life. And that was the problem.
I loved what I did and felt good about my work. I simply no longer felt good at work. I’ve learned there’s an important difference.
When I left, I felt like a fireball of anxiety, discombobulation and wild emotion.
Rather than extinguish that chapter, I chose to lean into it and allow the healing to begin:
Sitting in the chaos, identifying and gently unpicking each frayed end with my psychologist, Jo
Devouring book after book to make sense of what I was feeling
The cathartic release of penning and publishing My Beautiful Mess and finally letting my story go
Increasing her reach and supporting others by sharing my story through Beyond Blue
Discovering a new sense of purpose, facilitating mental health conversations with over fifty courageous Australian organisations - easily my favourite thing to do
It’s been a discrete process, and I now realise that over time, I’ve quietly rewritten my story.
Words reflecting fear, escapism and chaos have evaporated, replaced with a vernacular embedded with the confidence that comes from walking a purpose-driven, values-led path.
It turns out that was the glowing ember left after my fireball exit from the medical device industry - a burning need to prevent others from experiencing the life disruption I lived through.
After ten years, unfortunately, my story’s relevance hasn’t waned. If anything, it’s stepped up a few notches. Here’s why:
Workplace well-being is finally getting its moment, and so it damn well should.
Whether we are a CEO, bookkeeper, or medical device representative, none of us can sustain performance, let alone thrive, when we are constantly nudging our limits at work and deprived of time for restoration.
None of us is limitless - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially…the list goes on.
Asking workers to be limitless today now comes with consequences for workplaces.
As of December 2025, eight Australian states have passed legislation requiring workplace psychosocial risks to be managed with the same rigour as physical risks (VIC - see State-specific WorkSafe sites). Seventeen psychosocial hazards have been identified, and each must be assessed, controlled, reported, and backed by evidence.
This includes risks such as poor work design, excessive stress, and low job control, which may lead to burnout.
Here are five facts worth knowing:
Workplace well-being is under greater threat with rising community mental health pressures. Those lines are now incredibly porous. We can’t simply leave our personal challenges at home. (1)
Individual outcomes are better when signals are recognised earlier, and support is provided. (2)
Workplace well-being has two parts: i) how we feel about our work, and ii) how we feel at work. (3)
Workplace well-being is enhanced when organisations work with employees to understand their risks and create systems designed for sustainability
In 2026, sustainable performance, workplace well-being and psychosocial safety will be the conversations I’ll be having.
My priority is to open up these conversations in a safe way and support organisations in creating more mentally healthy workplaces, focused on sustainability.
I’ve built my 2026 services to tackle this challenge from a few angles:
Team masterclasses to build sustainable performance - sales, customer & leadership
Raise awareness through lived experience mental health speaking, panellist & media
Start conversations in a safe way through sustainable performance keynotes
Raise awareness through my wonderful work and relationship with Beyond Blue
Support leaders and organisations by creating robust psychosocial safety management systems with the Everperform team
There is so much more to come. I simply had to start.
A big thank you from me to you for continuing to support and share my journey.
If any of this resonates with you, please reach out. I’d love to chat.
Be in touch!
Peta
Sustainable Performance Coach and Educator | Keynote speaker | Consultant
Author of My Beautiful Mess
References:
Harman, G., Beyond Blue CEO, Comcare Webinar, 29th Oct 2025
Beyond Blue (2025) Australia’s Mental Health & Well-being Check 2024
De Neve J.E. & Ward G (2025). Why Workplace Well-being Matters. HBR Press. USA.