Once upon a time, in a world where success was defined by long hours, relentless dedication, and sacrificing personal well-being, Jen Fisher found herself at a crossroads. On the eve of her 40th birthday, she received a life-altering phone call - she had discovered a lump in her breast. Fear and uncertainty gripped her as she faced the possibility of cancer.

As she embarked on her journey of diagnosis and treatment, Jen made a bold decision - to not let cancer define her. She mustered the courage to share the news with her loved ones and even her boss. But his response caught her off guard. He called her the smartest person he knew and told her that quitting her position as Chief Well-being Officer was the dumbest thing he had ever heard.

In that moment, Jen's perspective shifted. She realized that well-being wasn't just about massages and self-care; it was about the daily decisions we make for ourselves, especially during challenging times. Despite her battle with cancer, Jen continued to work diligently, making time for rest and honoring her boundaries.

Her journey took her to Las Vegas, where she had the opportunity to meet Lenny Kravitz - a symbol of resilience and coolness. And today, seven years after her cancer diagnosis, Jen stands before us as a living testament to the power of embracing well-being in the face of adversity.

But cancer wasn't the biggest challenge Jen faced in her career. Before her diagnosis, she found herself working tirelessly as the right-hand woman to a CEO in a multi-billion dollar company. The lines between work and personal life blurred, and she became consumed by the pursuit of success. She never defined what success meant to her; instead, she followed the footsteps of others whom she perceived as successful.

Exhaustion set in, sleep became elusive, and her emotions swung between highs and lows. The phrase "I'll rest when I'm happy" became her mantra as she pushed herself further and further. But burnout crept in unnoticed, taking a toll on her well-being without her even realizing it.

Concerned loved ones expressed their worries, but Jen felt trapped in her pursuit of success. She believed that if she admitted she wasn't okay, people would think she didn't belong or worse, that she was crazy. It was easier for her to face cancer than it was to confront burnout. At least with cancer, there was visible proof of her struggle.

But burnout? It remained invisible to others, and its validity was sometimes questioned. Jen found herself at rock bottom without knowing how to climb out of it. She looked around and saw others seemingly thriving, further deepening her sense of isolation.

Quitting seemed like an option, but a wise mentor helped Jen realize that walking away wouldn't solve the problem. That realization sparked a mission within her - to create a world where well-being was prioritized in the workplace. She began building a business case, but she soon discovered that research on the relationship between well-being and high performance was scarce.

Despite the lack of evidence, Jen knew that productivity alone didn't equate to well-being. Many high-performing individuals were incredibly unwell. Today, more and more people are reevaluating the role work plays in their lives, and burnout is being recognized as a systemic issue rather than an individual weakness.

Jen encourages us to take three crucial steps to address this problem. Firstly, we must redefine self-care and understand that it is not something we earn when we are completely exhausted; it is a fundamental necessity. Boundaries are worthless unless we uphold and communicate them while respecting others' boundaries as well.

Secondly, leaders need to shift their focus from the bottom line to the well-being of their people. Success should not be defined solely by sales growth but by personal growth. Investing in employee wellness programs is not enough; organizations must strive to create cultures that support human sustainability.

Lastly, Jen emphasizes that fixing burnout requires a collective effort and systemic solutions. It's time to challenge the barriers, bureaucracy, and behaviors that perpetuate unhealthy work practices. We need an upgrade in the way work is designed and move away from a legacy mindset that places the burden of well-being solely on individuals.

The journey towards prioritizing well-being in the workplace won't happen overnight. It will require all of us - leaders, employees, and organizations - to come together and co-create a new work culture that supports the collective well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

As Jen concludes her talk, she leaves us with a poignant reminder that well-being is not a luxury but a fundamental outcome of work. It is time for us to embark on this journey towards a better future - a future where work truly supports our well-being.