- Linda rose through the ranks to a managerial role in a high-flying regional company, but it came at a hefty price
- She soon found herself overwhelmed with overseeing multiple roles while still expected to deliver under tight scrutiny
- Persistent headaches pushed her to resign without a clear plan for the future, after which the panic episodes vanished and her health improved
One year after leaving a well-paying regional management role, a Kenyan professional says she has no regrets about choosing her health over her career, a decision she describes as life-saving.
Source: Facebook
Linda Oduor had risen quickly through the ranks in a company operating in Western and Nyanza regions, starting as a team leader and later being promoted to MT Executive Tier 1 and 2.
Reached for comment, she told NGBREAKINGNEWS that her team consistently delivered strong results, even becoming the best-performing region and earning incentives and recognition.
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Her performance eventually saw her named among the top achievers during an annual company celebration attended by senior leadership, including the CEO, who praised her contribution and leadership potential.
But behind the success, she recalls a growing strain that would later push her to resign.
In January 2025, she stepped into a new leadership role following the resignation of her immediate boss.
While she was already familiar with most operational responsibilities, she received little formal training on key reporting systems, a gap that quickly became overwhelming under strict deadlines and high expectations.
At the same time, staff changes across the region began to pile pressure onto her workload.
Several sales representatives resigned in quick succession, while others went on maternity leave or prepared to exit.
She says she soon found herself overseeing multiple roles simultaneously, while still expected to deliver detailed reports under tight scrutiny.
“The workload became too much. I was handling everything, and still expected to be perfect,” she said.
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She describes working late into the night, sometimes until 1 am, and still receiving calls from her supervisor after hours.
The pressure, she says, began to take a toll on her physical and emotional well-being.
What began as stress escalated into frequent headaches, panic-like episodes, and growing anxiety, something she only later fully understood after seeking medical help.
During a visit to the hospital, she was warned by a doctor to reduce stress immediately or risk severe consequences.
The turning point came on May 5, 2025, when she decided to resign, adding that the moment was not impulsive but the culmination of months of strain, exhaustion, and concern for her well-being.
After discussions with her husband, a trusted former colleague, and family members, she submitted her resignation letter without a clear plan for what came next.
Two weeks later, during handover, she noticed something unexpected: her persistent headaches had disappeared.
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At the time, she says, the reaction from those around her was mixed. While some supported her decision, others questioned how she could leave a lucrative position and stable income.
Now, a year on, she reflects on the decision with relief rather than regret. She says her health has significantly improved, panic episodes have stopped, and she has since started a cosmetics business while also securing new employment a few months later.
Her message to others in high-pressure environments is simple: “Your peace of mind comes first.”
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
