Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & Life

Episode 291: The ‘Invisible Work’ That’s Holding You Back From Studio or Practice Success

Christa Gurka, MSPT, NCPT- Health and Fitness Business Strategist

In this powerful and validating episode, host Christa Gurka dives into a topic many business owners feel but rarely name: the invisible emotional labor that comes with leadership. From managing team morale to handling client dissatisfaction, making decisions, and being the emotional safety net for everyone - women business owners often carry an unseen weight that leads to burnout, resentment, and stress.

Christa shares her own experiences and offers a compassionate but practical framework for recognizing and addressing this emotional toll. She reminds listeners that while empathy is important, business owners are not responsible for everyone’s feelings. Instead, their role is to lead with clarity, set firm boundaries, and build systems that support the business - and themselves.

If you've ever felt emotionally exhausted from "holding it all together," this episode will help you name that weight, release what isn't yours to carry, and take steps toward more sustainable leadership.

Key Takeaways:

  • You’re not responsible for your team or clients’ emotional responses
  • Leaders who over-function unintentionally create under-functioning teams
  • Clear expectations and strong systems reduce decision fatigue
  • Delegation is not a luxury—it’s essential
  • Seek emotional support from coaches, therapists, or peer masterminds

Ready to lighten your emotional load and grow your business with more support? Learn more about Christa’s mentorship programs at www.christagurka.com and follow Christa on Instagram @christagurka and DM her if this episode resonated with you.

Know someone who needs to hear this? Share the episode with a fellow business owner.