Routh Chadwick Hit Burnout—Then Built a New Way Forward

Routh Chadwick’s move to entrepreneurship wasn’t her first reinvention. It was the result of several.

Drawn to creative expresion, she began with artistic ambitions, but eventually found herself craving greater financial stability. That realization led her to pursue social work, a field that aligned with her enduring curiosity about what makes people tick. Her first role after that pivot—a fast-paced position in a New York City hospital—proved both formative and unsustainable. Burnout set in quickly, reaching a breaking point before the end of her first year.

That moment became a catalyst. What started as personal exhaustion evolved into a deeper inquiry: Why is burnout so pervasive, and what would it look like to live and work differently in a culture that glorifies depletion? Routh’s search for answers reshaped both her life and career. She earned her clinical licensure, built a private psychotherapy practice, discovered coaching, and trained with leading voices in the field of transformation.

In the process, Routh transformed her own relationship to work—and her sense of what was possible. Today, she is the founder and head coach of Joie de Vivre, where she helps individuals reclaim vitality, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Can you delve deeper into the evolution of your company's mission and values over time?

What began as a desire to resolve a deeply personal experience of burnout gradually revealed itself as something much larger. As I explored burnout more fully, I came to understand it not simply as a workplace problem, but as a symptom of a broader cultural imbalance rooted in how we work, consume, and define worth in late-stage capitalism. Over time, my mission expanded from helping individuals recover from exhaustion to participating in a wider movement of transformation. I see burnout as interconnected with ecological crises, political instability, and systemic injustice. My work continues to be devoted to helping people liberate themselves from the internalized systems that harm their wellbeing and disconnect them from their values. At its core, the mission is about contributing to an evolution of consciousness, one that invites us into a new era grounded in care, dignity, and respect for both people and the planet.

Has your definition of success evolved throughout your journey as a founder?

Early in my career, success meant money and recognition—and achieving both as quickly as possible. Entrepreneurship, however, has been a humbling and transformative process. Over time, my definition of success has shifted to center on health, wellbeing, and sustainability; in other words, I had to learn the very thing I aimed to teach. This evolution required releasing the urgency to reach certain milestones by arbitrary deadlines and learning instead to work in harmony with my own natural rhythms. In doing so, the journey itself  became the success. While financial reward and visibility still matter to me, they are no longer the sole measures of achievement. There is far more joy and meaning in the everyday experience of my work now than there ever was when I was constantly pushing toward the next goalpost.

What's one thing you wish you had known before starting your company?

I wish I had known just how hard it would be. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. I value independence, creative freedom, and adventure, so I still would have chosen this journey, but I would have appreciated knowing that it would be more like an Indiana Jones expedition than the Field of Dreams fairy tale of "build it and they will come." This path has tested me in ways I never expected and has required continual growth, resilience, and reinvention. But as the saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. More than that, it has made me a better leader and teacher.

What have you learned about building a team and a support network around yourself?

As someone who has always been self-sufficient (often to a fault!) learning to ask for help was one of my greatest challenges. For a long time, I tried to do everything on my own. Eventually, I realized that true leadership requires both delegation and trust. At first, investing in paid support felt risky—especially while navigating the financial uncertainty of building a business—but that support ultimately paid for itself many times over, not only in productivity but in peace of mind and creative expansion. Equally important has been my network of mentors, coaches, fellow entrepreneurs, and friends. Admitting struggle is not easy, but the relief and clarity that come from receiving support are immeasurable. In addition, those relationships have opened doors to opportunities and clients that never would have emerged had I continued working in isolation.

What's next for you and your company?

I am excited for the next chapter of growth, which includes expanding into B2B offerings while continuing to develop innovative B2C programs. I am especially energized by new collaborations that are bringing fresh inspiration and momentum into my work. I am meeting more and more women entrepreneurs who are socially conscious and committed to building businesses on their own terms, rather than replicating the outdated burnout model. I feel called to connect with women who share aligned values and to co-create ventures that honor both impact and integrity. For me, the future is about collaboration, conscious leadership, and designing success that serves not just individuals, but the wider world.