In this raw solo episode, I share what’s unfolded since I hit burnout, why I spent months in bed, and how that breakdown led to the quiet creation of Sol—my emotionally intelligent AI coaching partner. This is the real story of what happened after everything stopped.

Episode 103: Rest, Rebirth, and Building Sol – The Real Story Behind My Burnout and AI Coaching Vision

This is the first podcast I’ve recorded in a long while… and I’m showing up exactly as I am. No fancy mic. No edits. Just me and the real story of what’s happened since I finally let myself stop.

If you haven’t yet listened to Episodes 101 and 102, those will give you the broader backstory. But today’s episode is where I take you inside the season that changed everything.

Inside this episode:

• What it looked like to hit a full-stop wall with burnout
• Why I spent weeks in bed unable to do anything but sleep or whisper into ChatGPT
• How I accidentally turned AI into my own emotional processing and journaling companion
• Why I couldn’t find a coach who could hold me in the way I needed—and how that led me to create Sol™
• The real reason generic AI models can’t support human transformation (and what I did instead)
• How I trained Sol to think like I do—to hold nuance, identity evolution, and emotional growth at scale
• What’s different about Sol’s memory system, coaching feedback loops, and transformation tracking
• Why AI (done right) can actually make us more human—not less
• An update on my health journey, rare immunodeficiency, and weekly infusions
• A few thoughts on where Sol is going next—and how I’m letting it (and me) grow slowly

✨ This episode is for anyone who’s felt too tired to dream, too sick to strategize, or too maxed out to hold it all anymore—and still believes in the quiet power of what’s possible.

This episode is for you if you're interested in learning about:

• burnout recovery for entrepreneurs
• building an AI coach
• Sol AI coach beta
• emotionally intelligent AI
• chronic illness and business
• immunodeficiency therapy
• subcutaneous immunoglobulin
• coaching through ChatGPT
• revenue share coaching
• AI for identity evolution
• aligned business podcast
• neurodivergent entrepreneur
• healing while building a business
• resting as a strategy
• motherhood and autoimmune illness
• Sol by Kelsey Kerslake
• supportive AI for transformation
• future of coaching with AI
• becoming who you're meant to be
• AI and emotional intelligence

After three years away from the podcast, I’m back… and today’s episode is unlike anything I’ve ever shared here before.

This isn’t a polished teaching episode or a step-by-step strategy session—it’s a deeply personal voice note I originally sent to a close friend, catching her up on everything that’s unfolded in my life and business since 2020.

I decided to bring it here, too, because so much of what I went through mirrors what so many of us face as entrepreneurs: the messy transitions, the identity shifts, the burnout, the health challenges, the moments of doubt, and the unexpected opportunities that shape us along the way.

Inside this episode, I open up about:

• The early days of my coaching business and how it all began with one client back in 2016–2017
• Scaling The Aligned Business® to multi-6-figure and $600k years—and what came with hiring a full-time team
• The lessons (and the shame I had to release) around payroll, sales, and growing too fast
• My health challenges—including repeated hospitalizations, asthma, and navigating an immune system I couldn’t rely on
• How we transitioned into building a real estate and renovation business with my husband, Todd, and my dad’s support
• What it looked like to simplify my coaching business and shift into a private, revenue-share model that feels deeply aligned
• Why I’m giving myself a semi-sabbatical now to restore my energy, care for my health, and create space for what’s next

This episode is part one of a two-part catch-up. Think of it as sitting down with me over coffee while I share the real, unfiltered story of the past three years—the behind-the-scenes truths that shaped me into who I am now.

I’ll be back soon with part two, where I’ll share what’s unfolded over the past six months since recording this update.

In this episode, Kelsey Kerslake, the CEO of The Aligned Business, takes you through the five stages of scaling your business to $500,000 per year. She breaks down what each stage entails, the key focus areas, and the mindset shifts required for success. Whether you're just starting out or looking to reach that half-million-dollar mark, Kelsey's insights will guide you on your journey.

Introduction (00:00-02:10)

• Kelsey Kerslake introduces herself and the purpose of the episode.
• She highlights the importance of reaching five-figure months and making them a reality.

Stage 1: Making Between $0 and $1,000 (02:11-08:05)

• Kelsey explains that this stage is an experimental phase.
• The primary focus is on making money and overcoming mindset challenges around receiving money.
• She emphasizes the need to experiment with various approaches within your industry.

Stage 2: Earning Between $1,000 and $3,500 (08:06-15:13)

• Kelsey emphasizes the importance of staying in stage two if you're making between $1,000 and $3,500 per month.
• In this stage, you should focus on identifying your ideal client and learning how to sell and market to them effectively.
• She advises against jumping ahead, as it can lead to a shaky foundation for your business.

Stage 3: Earning Between $3,500 and $7,500 (15:14-22:18)

• Kelsey discusses the need to solidify your offers and create a signature offer.
• You should start defining your sales system, raising your rates, and getting specific in your marketing.
• KPIs for each position and honing in on your expertise are essential in this stage.

Stage 4: Earning Between $7,500 and $20,000 (22:19-30:30)

• Kelsey emphasizes creating consistency in your sales system and experimenting with delegating tasks.
• This is the stage to add more elements to your offer suite, like courses or group programs.
• Getting known for your unique methods and processes is a key focus.

Stage 5: Earning Between $20,000 and $50,000 (30:31-37:55)

• Kelsey discusses the transition to CEO responsibilities, overseeing the sales system, and managing the numbers.
• You start building an organizational chart and bringing in employees who own specific roles.
• Creating backups, systems, and processes becomes crucial for a well-oiled machine.

Mindset and Subconscious Alignment (37:56-43:30)

• Kelsey highlights the importance of working on your subconscious mind and mindset.
• She suggests daily habits, meditation, and envisioning your future self.
• Challenging limiting beliefs and aligning your mindset with your desired growth is essential.

Closing and Invitation (43:31-46:23)

• Kelsey invites listeners to apply for The Aligned Business Academy for personalized support.
• She mentions the limited available spots to maintain an intimate and supportive community.
• Kelsey encourages questions and comments, inviting listeners to reach out on Instagram.

Outro (46:24-End)

• Kelsey signs off, thanking the audience and looking forward to future conversations.