Interview with Marissa McKool, MPH
Listen Here:
Highlights from this episode:
- Marissa coaching me on burnout around TPHM Instagram page
- How Burnout is a spectrum. it can show up in many ways
- Why We in public health need tools and skills to deal with burnout
- Have to proactively shift to focus on what we have control over and take ownership of i
- The benefit of tactically scheduling rest in your calendar
- Where your goal is directed, your brain energy focuses
Episode 236 of Public Health Careers
Marissa is the public health burnout coach.
She is a former public health leader turned coach that helps you lose the stress & reclaim your life. She specifically to empower women in public health to break free from burnout
Today she shared practical strategies to prevent burnout and reclaim balance.
Marissa, shares her journey in public health and how personal experiences with burnout after a decade in the field led her to become a Burnout Coach and founder of Public Health Coach. She defines burnout as a spectrum—manifesting through apathy, resentment, stress spillover, and disproportionate reactions. In 2020, 66% of public health workers reported burnout symptoms, highlighting the field’s urgency for systemic change.
Marissa explores contributing factors such as hustle culture, lack of support, excessive workloads, and administrative burdens. She emphasizes the importance of agency—reclaiming power by focusing on what individuals can control and shifting internal narratives from “I have to” to “I choose to.”
She outlines three burnout prevention strategies:
- Setting boundaries
- Prioritizing self-care
- Seeking support
She also speaks about the trickle-down effect of burnout from leadership and the importance of promoting a supportive workplace culture. Her coaching encourages leaders and public health professionals to own their energy, schedule rest, and model healthy boundaries.
Marissa’s final message encourages listeners to assess their own well-being, implement shared strategies, and develop emotional adaptability, which she sees as essential for the next generation of public health leaders.
The episode closes by reinforcing that burnout is manageable with the right tools, mindset shifts, and supportive systems in place.
Links from show
Why burnout needs attention in the public health worker population
Connect with Guest
Marissa McKool, MPH on LinkedIn
