Celebrating 100+ survey responses and ‘Don’t kill my vibe’ moment

This week brought a milestone worth celebrating: we hit 100+ responses for the MOAR! workplace wellbeing research study. 

100+ people who shared their stories. 100+ voices contributing to understanding what it takes to thrive at work. 100+ data points that could help transform how we think about workplace wellbeing.

But here's what struck me most: each response represents someone choosing progress over perfection. Someone saying: "my experience isn't perfect, but it matters."

It’s not too late to complete the MOAR! Work Wellbeing Survey. It takes 20-30 minutes and to say thank you, you’ll get an e-copy of MOAR! when it launches in Nov/Dec 2025. 

The song that showed me how far I've come

A few days ago in the gym, Sigrid's "Don't Kill My Vibe" came on, and I was instantly reminded of the power of celebrating progress.

Seven years ago, that song was my anthem during my recovery from corporate burnout. But here's what I’ve never shared: every time I heard it, I imagined singing it directly to the bully who systematically broke me down: “You love to tear me down, you pick me apart. Then build me up like I depend on you.. You think you're so important to me, don't you?” Don't kill my vibe, became my defiant declaration of reclaiming my power.

Back then, I was just learning to lift weights for the first time, working with my transformation coach Colette. I was self-conscious in the gym, still raw from the trauma, but I knew this was my chance to reclaim my power. I was honouring the struggle, committing to transformation for life.

Fast forward seven years to that moment in the gym a few days ago, benching almost 60kg, cranking out 2-3 pull-ups with confidence. It was the living proof that the woman who once imagined defiantly singing to her tormentor had become the woman who no longer needed to.

The hidden epidemic and the courage to share

Speaking of progress over perfection, one conversation this week particularly moved me. A highly respected CISO quietly shared that she's recovering from burnout.

"In cybersecurity," she said, "we're like first responders. Always on. The adrenaline keeps you going until... it doesn't."

Her willingness to share her imperfect, in-progress story? That's exactly the courage that creates change. She didn't wait until she had it all figured out. She shared her truth in the messy middle of transformation.

Why the small things are not just the big things... they're everything

My current PT is Katy Slabber, a 58-year-old professional athlete, a Protea bodybuilder, officially No. 1 in South Africa. Katy won her division at the IFBB South African Championships in 2024. She’s also my yoga teacher. Katy is the real deal, the whole package.

I am learning that true strength isn't about how much weight you can lift. It's about engaging your core, breathing correctly, trusting your body's inner wisdom. 

The small, consistent actions – showing up even when you don't feel like it – matters more than the perfect workout or the heaviest weight. Katy has a quote on her WhatsApp image that perfectly captures this lesson: "The rarest of all human qualities is consistency." – Jeremy Bentham

This applies to workplace wellbeing too. The person who sets one boundary and maintains it. The leader who asks, "how are you really?", and waits for real answers. The team that celebrates completing projects without burnout, then commits to making that the new standard. These aren't small wins – they're revolutionary acts of consistency that compound over time into transformation.

Every survey response is a victory

Each of those 100+ survey responses represents someone choosing courage over comfort. Sharing their story instead of staying silent. 

One response talked about learning to say no. Another about discovering their authentic purpose. Someone shared their journey from people-pleasing to boundary-setting. Another described transforming their relationship with perfectionism. Her new motto is: #progressoverperfection

The journey is the destination

Working with both Colette and Katy has taught me something profound: the real transformation happens in the daily practice, not the final achievement. It's about living from the inside out, trusting your own power source.

This research study is teaching me the same thing. We're not waiting until we solve workplace wellbeing to share insights. We're learning from the messy middle of change, from people courageously transforming their work experience right now.

Your story matters 

If you're reading this thinking your wellbeing journey isn't worth sharing because it's not "finished" — please reconsider. The most powerful stories are the ones still being written.

Your small win this week. Your boundary that's still wobbly but holding. Your decision to prioritise sleep over late-night emails. Your choice to ask for help. These aren't minor footnotes — they're the building blocks of transformation.

Join the MOAR! Wellbeing Research Study — not because your story is perfect, but because your progress matters. Your voice in the messy middle of change could be exactly what someone else needs to take their next brave step.

Journey over destination. Courage over comfort. #progressoverperfection

Here's to the next 100 stories, and all the small wins that create big change.