26. The Truth About Work-Life Balance (It's a Myth) With Natalie Duvall

The Unseen Layers: How Identity & Purpose Shape Your Decisions.

What if the very decisions that define you are shaped by unseen layers of identity, legacy, and purpose?

In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien sit down with Natalie Duvall—Culture & Events Marketing Manager at Red Bull UK, co-founder of Dragons’ Den–backed March Muses, podcaster with Black Mums Upfront, and a leading voice in diversity & inclusion.

Together, they unpack how identity, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and authenticity uniquely shape decision-making—and how purpose fuels resilience in the face of cognitive overload, systemic challenges, and the mental load of modern life.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:- How decisions shape identity, legacy, and future success- Why family history influences personal and professional choices- The hidden impact of motherhood and parenting on decision fatigue- How entrepreneurship thrives on passion, purpose, and authenticity- The emotional cost of representation and diversity in leadership- Why balance is a continuous struggle—and how to build resilience through intentional decisions

This conversation is a powerful reminder that identity and purpose aren’t just personal—they’re the foundation for making every decision count.

🔑 Keywords: decision fatigue, decision making, cognitive overload, identity, motherhood, entrepreneurship, authenticity, resilience, diversity, mental load, legacy, parenting, leadership, neuroscience, peak performance

📌 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:43 Legacy of Immigrants: Shaping Identity

08:35 The Transformative Power of Motherhood

11:31 Navigating the Mental Load of Motherhood

12:56 Empowering Black Women: A Call to Action

17:33 Decision Fatigue: The Weight of Choices

22:09 The Gift and Curse of Success

24:37 Building a Brand with Purpose

28:56 Managing Time and Decisions in Entrepreneurship

31:11 Navigating Work-Life Balance

32:45 Raising Confident Decision Makers

37:52 Parenting Through Different Stages

40:01 Encouraging Growth Through Mistakes

46:18 The Power of Saying Yes

56:10 Authenticity in Advocacy

01:01:22 Creating Lasting Change

📲 Connect with Natalie Duvall:

Instagram: @natsduv

LinkedIn: Natalie Duvall

Hosts:

Dr. Shawn Watson – Neuroscientist & Founder Michelle O’Brien – Marketer, Mum, Marathon Runner👇 Let’s Continue the Conversation What resonated most with you? Have you experienced decision fatigue in your role? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you manage high-pressure choices.

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💡 If you found this episode helpful, like, comment, and subscribe. Share it with someone who could use a reset on how they make decisions. Let’s build better brains together—one choice at a time.

Your decisions shape your life. Make every decision count.

#DecisionFatigue #Resilience #Perseverance #DecisionMaking #Neuroscience #PeakPerformance #MentalStrength #Mindfulness #Coaching #OvercomingAdversity