Vicki Young: Pregnant & Pitching – the harsh reality of business ownership

Andy Brown's Exploring Emotional Overdraft

In this powerful episode of Exploring Emotional Overdraft, Andy Brown sits down with Vicki Young, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Nalla, to explore the highs and lows of building a business.

From burnout and grief to pregnancy discrimination and the hidden cost of ambition, Vicki opens up about the emotional overdraft she fell into while growing her agency. Her journey is a must-listen for leaders and foundersnavigating the pressures of business, success, and personal wellbeing.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

💡 Burnout is sneaky—until it isn’t.
"I was addicted to the rush of it. I was giving my all to something… banking that it would give back. It didn’t."
→ Why pushing through exhaustion without reflection can cost you your wellbeing, relationships, and clarity.

💡 Pregnancy prejudice is real—and brutal.
"As soon as I started showing I was pregnant, we couldn't win anything. The tap of luck turned off."
→ Vicki shares the harsh reality of pitching while pregnant and how bias against female founders affected her business.

💡 You can’t be the only one holding it all together.
"I naturally take ownership of everything. I creep into people’s workloads. It’s baked into my personality."
→ The danger of making yourself indispensable and why founders must let go to grow.

💡 You will never be ‘ready’ to take a break. Take one anyway.
"For the first time ever, I went on holiday with no laptop, no phone… And guess what? The team stepped up."
→ Vicki reveals how stepping away gave her team room to rise—and why you need to take all your annual leave.

💡 Tiny changes can stop the cycle of burnout.
"I used to unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning. Now, I stop myself. It’s about breaking those automatic ‘busy’ habits."
→ How small mindset shifts can help you reclaim your time and energy.

Why This Episode is Essential for Leaders & Founders

🚨 If you're constantly pushing, always ‘on’, and struggling to switch off, this episode is for you.
🚨 If you think your business can’t function without you, this episode will change your perspective.
🚨 If you find it hard to take breaks, Vicki’s story will inspire you to prioritise yourself without guilt.

🎧 Listen now and take control of your emotional overdraft.