We Kicked Off The Edge of Resilience—And We're Just Getting Started

Real talk. Real tools. Real transformation.

Last week, we launched The Edge of Resilience, a new quarterly series hosted by Sixth Wing and AFN designed to dismantle burnout myths and build sustainable leadership strategies that actually work. The kickoff conversation, led by AFN CEO Matt Sitter and featuring Sixth Wing Executive Coaches and Certified Burnout Experts Kellie Mix and John Previtera, struck a deep nerve.

This isn't your average wellness chat.

This is about leaders, operators, executives, caregivers—people in the arena—who are holding it all together while quietly falling apart. It's for those navigating stress, performance, and the invisible line between drive and detachment. And it's led by two people who've lived it.

Why The Edge of Resilience is Different

Too many burnout resources fall short—they're surface-level, generic, or disconnected from the real demands of leadership. The Edge of Resilience changes that with four key differentiators:

• Lived experience: Kellie and John don't just coach on resilience—they've earned it. From elite athletics to military command, from caregiving to corporate leadership, they bring hard-won wisdom and human insight.

• Leadership lens: This is for high performers. The pressure to deliver, lead others, and maintain personal boundaries requires more than breathwork. We're talking systems thinking, leadership modeling, and cultural reset.

• Dual perspective: Male and female. Civilian and military. Athlete and executive. You'll see yourself—and your team—in this conversation.

• Mind-body connection: Your body is telling the truth, even when your mouth says "I'm fine." We explore how your physiology shapes your leadership energy, decision-making, and team culture.

  
  

Burnout Is Not a Badge of Honor

In the first session, we challenged the myth that burnout is a sign of strength—or worse, commitment. Instead, we explored:

• Early signs of burnout that leaders often miss

• Why disconnection is the real warning sign—not exhaustion

• The myth of toxic resilience and why it's rewarded

• How to reset your stress response in real time

• Personal stories from John and Kellie that broke open the "hustle and hide" mentality.

Bring This Work to Your Org

Kellie and John are available for:

• Leadership and Coaching Services for your company

• Workshops and team sessions

• Keynotes and speaking engagements

• Podcast guest appearances

• Advisory work on burnout and performance culture

Reach out to Kellie or John to explore how they can support your team or event.

This was just the beginning.

Want the whole conversation?

Watch the recording here.

Sign up for our monthly email dispatch—a short story + one resilience tool to try each month.

Next up in the series: Resilience at the Speed of Life—real-time strategies to recover energy, build capacity, and lead sustainably even when life doesn't slow down. Join us on October 23rd at 11:00 am PT. Send us an email at info@afn.global to RSVP.

Stay with us. We're building a different kind of leadership conversation—one that doesn't just prevent burnout, but builds resilience from the inside out.