Hanan Abdelaal | Episode 015
Burnout, Boundaries, and Building Your Dream Life
with Hanan Abdelaal
Breaking the Burnout Cycle: How Hanan Abdelaal is Redefining Wellness and Success
From Emmy-nominated TV deals to launching a wellness company, Hanan Abdelaal shares her transformative journey, science-backed mindfulness principles, and real-world tools for building a fulfilling life—without burning out.
Introduction: When Ambition Meets Anxiety
In the glitzy world of television development, Hanan Abdelaal appeared to have it all—creative influence, industry recognition, and a seat at the executive table. But beneath the polished surface was a relentless grind: anxiety, perfectionism, and expectations that left her struggling to show up as her authentic self.
On a recent episode of The Dean’s List podcast, Hanan sat down with host Alison Dean to share her powerful story of pivoting from high-pressure TV leadership to founding Ruya, a wellness initiative dedicated to helping others escape the burnout trap and cultivate true well-being. Here are the biggest takeaways on breaking painful patterns, building resilience, and designing the life and career you truly want.
From TV Development to Transformative Wellness
Hanan spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry, mainly in creative development—pitching, packaging, and selling TV shows at the network level. The enormous demands of her role, coupled with living with ADD and anxiety, eventually caught up to her. At her lowest, anxiety was so intense she struggled to speak in meetings, fell into depression, and called in sick out of shame.
"I was pretending like I was in control when I was completely falling apart inside," she recalls. It wasn’t until Hanan sought therapy and began years of personal development work that she realized external trappings of success couldn’t fill the internal void.
The turning point came during a corporate reorganization, which nudged her to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Instead of re-signing for another high-stress contract, she poured her energy into Ruya (meaning “vision” and “dream” in Arabic), rooting the company in her heritage and her hard-won growth.
The Science of Mindfulness: Curiosity and Self-Compassion
Hanan’s coaching philosophy is rooted in science-backed tools, emphasizing the importance of mindset and “curiosity-based transformation.” Practical techniques—like emotional regulation, breathwork, and rewiring mental patterns—help clients move beyond knee-jerk reactions and cultivate resilience.
She explains, “What’s going to make the biggest difference in someone’s life is how much effort they put into their mindset. If we don’t have thoughts, we don’t have stress or anxiety.”
By encouraging clients to shift from self-criticism to a compassion- and curiosity-based approach, lasting change becomes possible. Hanan illustrates the neuroscience behind stress: how the amygdala can hijack rational thinking, leading to impulsive reactions. Her four-step process—awareness, grounding breath, labeling emotions, and mindful response—enables people to regain perspective and break unhealthy cycles.
Making Mindfulness Accessible: From Corporate Workshops to One-on-One Coaching
Ruya isn’t just for individuals—Hanan has successfully brought wellness initiatives into notoriously high-octane environments, like TV production companies. Through tailored workshops, meditation sessions, and gratitude practices, she’s witnessed firsthand how even skeptical, overworked creatives can embrace self-care once it’s made accessible and company-endorsed.
“One of the biggest takeaways,” Hanan says, “is that people are receptive to it. You just have to provide it for them.” By facilitating everything from gratitude jars to group breathwork events, she opened the door for real conversations and collective healing.
Common Myths and Micro-Practices
Skepticism abounds, especially in hard-driving work cultures. Hanan addresses common myths—namely, that meditation means “turning off your brain” or must take 30 minutes a day. Instead, she recommends tiny, consistent habits: two-minute breathing exercises, mindful moments while brushing teeth, or a brief pause before meetings.
“Start small,” she urges—perfectionism is the enemy, and even micro-practices compound for real results.
Redefining Wellness and Building Your Dream Life
For Hanan, wellness means free self-expression: “It’s the freedom to fully express yourself as you feel internally without all the muck and years of conditioning.” Her daily non-negotiables include mindfulness, movement, nature, positive affirmations, and meaningful connection.
She reminds new entrepreneurs: follow your gut, make decisions in your own best interest (not someone else’s idea of sacrifice), and surround yourself with supporters—not doubters.
Conclusion: The Doorway to Change
Hanan’s journey is a testament to the fact that success and self-care can coexist. With the right tools and mindset, painful patterns can become powerful possibilities—regardless of your field. Her mission is clear: to help others reclaim their vision, regulate their emotions, and build resilience for a more sustainable, joyful version of success.
If you’re seeking inspiration, science-backed practices, or simply someone who “gets it,” Hanan Abdelaal’s story is proof positive that the burnout cycle can be broken—and your dream life is worth building.
Mentioned in this episode:
Hanan Abdelaal’s business: RUYAHA
Partner for corporate workshops: Den Meditation
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: The first viewer to use the code DEANSLIST will receive a complimentary 1.5-hour one-on-one coaching session with Hanan Abdelaal! Don’t miss this opportunity to dive deeper into your own wellness journey.
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