Hello and welcome to the very first episode of The Pet Business Wellbeing Podcast with Nathan Dunleavy!

In this intro episode, I’m sharing who I am, why I started this podcast and what you can expect as a listener. Running a pet business is rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming, exhausting and sometimes downright lonely. This podcast is here to change that.

You’ll hear:

• 🌱 My journey — from 13+ years in corporate and small business banking to 7+ years running multiple award-winning pet businesses.
• 🐾 The many hats I’ve worn: dog trainer, behaviour consultant, dog walker, sitter and now business mentor and wellbeing advocate
• 💡 Why I believe wellbeing isn’t a luxury - it’s part of the business plan.
• 🎧 The kind of topics we’ll be covering together: burnout, imposter syndrome, boundaries, money mindset, branding, websites, emotional wellbeing and more.
• 👥 A sneak peek into the expert guests you’ll hear from in upcoming episodes.

I’ll also leave you with 3 quick wellbeing tips you can put into practice right away:

1. 🍴 Take a proper lunch break (without emails, scrolling, or guilt).
2. 🚫 Learn to say no when your plate is already full.
3. 🚶 Get outside for you — not just with clients’ dogs.

✨ This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about building a business that feels good to be in.

• 📩 Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Email me: hello@nathandunleavy.com
• 🌐 Connect with me: nathandunleavy.com
• 💬 Join the free community: The Pet Business Wellbeing Circle ⭕️

👉 If you enjoyed this first episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review - it really helps us reach more pet pros who need this kind of support.

Because remember… wellbeing isn’t a luxury. It’s part of the business plan. 🌱

Running a pet business can be deeply rewarding but also exhausting. In this solo episode, Nathan dives into the realities of burnout, how to spot it early, simple resets you can put in place and why connection is the best protection. Perfect for pet professionals who care deeply about their work but need practical ways to protect their wellbeing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The subtle early signs of burnout every pet pro should watch for

✅ Simple “micro breaks” that help you reset without needing a full day off

✅ Why connection and community are essential for protecting your wellbeing

✅ How to audit your weekly energy and rebalance draining vs. fuelling tasks

✅ The power of boundaries in keeping burnout at bay

✅ Why progress beats perfection when it comes to long-term sustainability

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout often creeps in through subtle signs like irritability, brain fog, or constant tiredness.
• Micro breaks like device-free evenings or time in nature can be powerful protectors of your energy.
• “Connection is protection” - surrounding yourself with peers, mentors and safe spaces helps prevent isolation-driven burnout.
• Weekly energy audits highlight what drains you vs. what fuels you.
• Boundaries and self-compassion are crucial for long-term business wellbeing.
• Celebrate progress, not perfection - small wins matter more than flawless performance.

Resources & Links:

• 📩 Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Email me: hello@nathandunleavy.com
• 🌐 Connect with me: nathandunleavy.com
• 💬 Join the free community: The Pet Business Wellbeing Circle ⭕️

👉 If you enjoyed this first episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it really helps us reach more pet pros who need this kind of support.

Because remember… wellbeing isn’t a luxury. It’s part of the business plan. 🌱

Feeling like a fraud? Nathan and author Jay Gurden break down imposter syndrome for pet pros and share practical ways to quiet the doubt and show up with confidence.

Imposter syndrome is rife in the pet industry - even among brilliant, ethical professionals. In this candid chat, Nathan and bestselling author Jay Gurden (Conquering Confidence: Recognising & Combatting Imposter Syndrome) unpack why pet pros feel like frauds, how social media fuels comparison, the five imposter types and the simple, evidence-based tools you can use to build confidence without burning out.

✅ The real-world signs of imposter syndrome in pet businesses

✅ The five imposter types (Perfectionist, Expert, Soloist, Natural Genius, Super-Being)

✅ Why social media comparison spikes self-doubt and how to protect your feed

✅ Simple confidence tools: objective wins lists, feedback “reviews treasure chest,” and reframing thoughts

✅ How boundaries, community and micro-resets support resilience

✅ When to ask for help and why connection beats isolation

• Comparison is the thief of joy - curate your feed and your circle.
• Keep objective evidence of your wins (qualifications, results, testimonials).
• Build a reviews/feedback vault for low-confidence days.
• Progress over perfection: done > perfect.
• Boundaries and community are essential buffers against burnout.
• Ethical, caring practitioners are not imposters they’re exactly who the industry needs.

• Email Nathan: hello@nathandunleavy.com
• Nathan’s site: https://nathandunleavy.com/
• Jay’s sites: https://www.goodguardianship.com/ | https://jaygurden.com/
• Jay’s Facebook (writers’ mentorship info pinned): https://www.facebook.com/goodguardianship
• Jay’s Imposter Syndrome FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/124746796350145/