Have you ever wondered how some mums manage to build a six figure business with kids, maintain their sanity, and actually enjoy the journey without completely burning out?
This week’s episode introduces you to Anna Bateman, founder of Halcyon Education, who’s done exactly that for the last four years. We have a brilliantly honest conversation about what it actually takes to grow a successful business when you’ve got children, a million competing priorities, and the constant pressure to be everything to everyone.
When Anna started her education consultancy ten years ago, her boys were 9 and 11. She’d taken voluntary redundancy from her role leading a team focused on emotional literacy in schools, and decided to back herself. Fast forward to today, and she’s been consistently hitting six figures for four years whilst helping tens of thousands of school leaders transform their approach to mental health and resilience.
Here’s what I want you to remember: preventing burnout as a working mum isn’t about finding some magical routine or productivity system. It’s about self awareness, knowing what fills your cup and what depletes it, and being brave enough to prioritize the things that actually keep you mentally well. For Anna, that was exercise. Not fancy gym memberships or elaborate wellness routines, just getting out the door for a run down the road whilst her husband watched the boys.
Through our conversation, Anna shares the practical strategies that made juggling business and family possible. We talk about exercise for mental health (even when you hate running at first), the power of part time work in those early years, and why work life balance for mums is really about self awareness rather than perfection. She’s refreshingly honest about what she’d do differently, including setting better boundaries around screen time and structure, but also why giving yourself grace matters just as much.
This episode is for anyone navigating motherhood and business who’s wondering if it’s actually possible to build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process.
Here’s what we cover:
- How Anna built Halcyon Education to consistent six figures over the last four years
- Why she chose to work part time when her boys were young, and how that protected her mental health
- The role of exercise in preventing burnout (from hating running to loving spin classes)
- Self awareness for mothers in business: knowing your triggers and what fills your cup
- Honest reflections on structure, routines, and what she’d do differently around screen time
- Why self care for business owners isn’t bubble baths, it’s doing what actually energizes you
- Mental health for working mothers: the importance of being someone other than “just mum”
- How to prioritize your week so you can be the best version of yourself for your children
- Why it’s okay when things slip, and giving yourself grace is part of the process
- Anna’s work helping schools develop mental health strategies and build resilient children
If you’re a mum trying to build something whilst managing all the things, this conversation will remind you that it’s possible. Not perfect, not Pinterest-worthy, but absolutely achievable with the right mindset and priorities.
If this episode resonates with you, pop over to Instagram and say hello. I’d love to hear what stood out and where you’re at in your own journey. And if you’re in the education sector looking for support with mental health strategy, you’ll find Anna at Halcyon Education.
Grab a pen and paper, settle in, and let Anna’s story be the reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out, you just need to know yourself well enough to prioritize what matters.
More about Anna Bateman
I’m Anna Bateman, founder of Halcyon Education. I run an education consultancy and training business specialising in mental health strategy. Over the last 10 years, I’ve helped tens of thousands of school leaders transform wellbeing. I’ve written courses and content alongside prominent personalities, including Myleene Klass and regularly host insightful podcasts for education leaders. I’ve recently launched a course to help school leaders map their route into education consultancy and building an agency that equips consultants and schools with quality-assured external support that drives real transformation.
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