What if the biggest heartbreak of your life turned out to be your greatest launchpad?

In this raw and revealing episode, host Susanna Gray puts Tiarna Mccormack in the hot seat to uncover the personal story behind her professional drive. From a life-altering breakup to building her own business and finding her footing in Dubai, Tiarna shares candid reflections on burnout, boundaries, and belonging.

If you’ve ever felt like you lost your spark, this episode will remind you that reinvention is always within reach—and that sometimes, starting over is the most powerful move you can make.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Leaving Comfort for Purpose – Tiarna opens up about walking away from a well-paid role to pursue a career that aligned with her values—even when it meant financial and emotional risk.

• Burnout and Panic Attacks – She reflects on the physical toll of ignoring red flags and how high-functioning burnout crept in during her time in the startup world.

• Healing After Heartbreak – Tiarna shares the raw truth of rebuilding her life after a painful breakup and how that experience fueled personal and professional growth.

• Dubai as a Fresh Start – They discuss how Dubai’s energy and community played a major role in Tiarna’s healing journey and renewed purpose.

• Redefining Confidence – The conversation explores how confidence is earned, not gifted—and how showing up vulnerably can be your greatest strength.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• “I thought I’d be with him forever… but life had a different plan.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• “I moved countries with someone who betrayed me. That heartbreak gave me the fire to build my own path.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• “Just because you can push through doesn’t mean you should.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• “If I say I’m going to do something, I will burn myself out making sure it happens.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• “I don’t have to be perfect, but I do have to finish.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• “My self-worth used to be tied to my ability to complete a task. Not anymore.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• “You can’t heal what you won’t confront. That applies to life and business.” – Susanna Gray

• “When you move abroad, people call it brave. But for many of us, it’s survival.” – Susanna Gray

• “Community, honesty, and happiness—that’s what I build everything around.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• “You’re intense and chill at the same time. That’s your power.” – Susanna Gray

Connect with Tiarna Mccormack

• ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

  
  

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"Is procrastination really laziness—or is it fear in disguise?"

In this honest and hilarious episode, Susanna Gray reunites with returning guest Tiarna McCormack for a no-filter conversation about procrastination, perfectionism, and productivity in recruitment. From midnight work marathons in Dubai to messy desks and messy minds, Susanna and Tiarna break down what’s really behind your distractions—and how to get back on track without burning out. This episode explores how small mindset shifts, daily habits, and one simple “non-negotiable” can help recruiters (and anyone, really) reset their focus and reclaim their energy.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your own to-do list or unsure why you're avoiding the most important task, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reflect, and get intentional.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• • The 3 P’s of Procrastination – Susanna and Tiarna open up about how perfectionism, procrastination, and paralysis impact even high performers—and how naming the problem is the first step toward taming it.

  • The Myth of Multitasking – Tiarna questions whether doing “more” actually leads to better outcomes, and why multitasking might be killing your focus instead of boosting productivity.

  • Low-Energy Days and Micro Goals – Susanna shares her new system for overcoming low-energy slumps: setting a small, achievable non-negotiable goal—even when motivation is nowhere to be found.

  • Digital Distraction or Emotional Avoidance? – The duo explores why scrolling on Instagram isn’t just about distraction—it’s often an emotional escape that signals a deeper misalignment with your tasks.

  • How to Coach Yourself Out of a Slump – Tiarna walks Susanna through a 5-minute coaching session that reframes goal-setting around feeling, not just performance—and the power of asking yourself why.

  • AI Tools and the Future of Recruitment – The episode closes with a practical discussion on AI productivity tools recruiters actually use, and how to blend automation with human intuition.

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  Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• • “Perfectionism, procrastination, and paralysis—the three Ps that wreck our time.” – Susanna Gray

  • “You’re not lazy. You’re emotionally avoiding the one thing that matters.” – Tiarna Mccormack

  • “Multitasking is a lie. It just slows down your brain.” – Susanna Gray

  • “When the fear of getting it wrong kicks in, that’s when we procrastinate the most.” – Tiarna Mccormack

  • “You’re not just scrolling Instagram—you’re running away from something you need to face.” – Susanna Gray

  • “One non-negotiable a day. That’s it. Do it, and you win.” – Tiarna Mccormack

  • “Messy desk, messy mind? Maybe. But don’t confuse chaos with lack of competence.” – Susanna Gray

  • “The goal isn’t to be perfect—it’s to be consistent.” – Tiarna Mccormack

• • “Clarity comes from doing, not thinking.” – Susanna Gray
  • “Set the bar low, then overdeliver. That’s how you rebuild momentum.” – Tiarna Mccormack

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  Connect with Tiarna Mccormack

  • ⁠LinkedIn⁠

    
    

  Follow The Counter Offer:

  • ⁠LinkedIn Host⁠

  • ⁠LinkedIn Podcast⁠

  • ⁠Instagram⁠

  • ⁠TikTok