If you've ever finished a run or race feeling emotionally drained instead of energized, ask yourself this: is it your fitness… or your nervous system being overstimulated in environments that are too intense for your sensitivity level? #running #mentalfitness #anxiety

In this episode, Karen Bonnet-Natraj speaks with Alyssa Gosset about being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) runner, emotional burnout after races, and why group runs can feel overwhelming even when you love running. Alyssa shares her journey through anxiety, depression, and learning to work with sensitivity instead of fighting it, along with how running became both a challenge and a healing tool.

Many runners and HSP athletes report similar experiences of needing days to recover after races or feeling mentally drained after group training sessions.

You can continue pushing through burnout and ignoring the signals your body is giving you, or you can learn how to train and recover in a way that actually supports your nervous system and long-term performance.

Ignoring overstimulation and emotional fatigue can lead to long-term burnout, loss of motivation, and eventually stepping away from running altogether. Learning how to manage it early helps you stay consistent and enjoy running again.