Tee McConnell: Wellness is the New Corporate Currency

Tee McConnell—widely known as Coach Tee—is redefining what success looks like in today’s high-pressure corporate world. A Registered Nurse, Air Force veteran, and Peak Performance Coach, she brings a rare blend of discipline, compassion, and science-backed strategy to the boardroom. As the founder of NuLeaf Nutrition, Tee helps forward-thinking companies turn employee well-being into their greatest competitive edge. Her signature program, From Burnout to Breakthrough, proves one powerful truth: when people feel better, they lead better.

What inspired you to start your journey in health and wellness?

In high school, I was desperate to escape a chaotic home life, so when a friend dragged me to the gym, I agreed—reluctantly. After that very first workout, I felt stronger and more alive than I ever had. That rush of confidence gave me the courage to leave that environment after graduation and enlist in the Air Force. Ever since, I’ve been on fire to help others discover that same life-changing spark of self-worth and strength.

Was there a moment that made you create From Burnout to Breakthrough?

It wasn’t just one moment—it was a pattern I couldn’t ignore. I kept seeing high-performing professionals pushing through stress and exhaustion without realizing they were burned out. But once they started prioritizing their health, even with small, strategic change,s the results were incredible. Their energy returned, their confidence grew, and their performance at work improved dramatically.

That’s when I knew this needed to be more than a conversation; it needed to be a solution. So I created *From Burnout to Breakthrough*, built around a very specific method I developed through my own experience and what’s worked for my clients. It’s called the P.O.W.E.R. Framework, and it’s designed to help busy professionals shift from survival mode into a state of sustainable high performance with real tools that stick.

How did nursing and the military shape how you help people today?

Serving in the Air Force taught me discipline, accountability and how to maintain performance under pressure, while nursing gave me the empathy to really listen and the insight to spot small habit changes with big impact. Today I blend those lessons into programs that demand results yet remain deeply human so clients build routines that actually stick, even when life gets hectic.

What does “feeling good” versus “performing well” mean to you?

For me, feeling good means waking up with real energy not dragging myself out of bed, but actually feeling clear, focused, and in control of my day. It’s that grounded, calm confidence that lets me move through life with ease.

Performing well? That’s when I can take that energy and turn it into impact, leading with clarity, crushing a workout, staying sharp during back-to-back meetings, and still showing up fully for the people I love. I’ve learned that you can’t perform at your highest level if you don’t feel good at your core. Health isn’t just about avoiding burnout. it’s the foundation that allows you to truly thrive.

What’s one simple habit you swear by?

Hands down, it’s a consistent sleep routine. High performers always brag about burning the midnight oil, then wonder why they’re dragging through the day.

 I carve out an hour before bed for whatever helps me unwind, skincare, a warm bath or journaling and guard that time fiercely. Trust me, protecting your sleep level-ups everything from mood to decision-making.

“Wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation of performance, leadership, and long-term success.” – Tee McConnell

What do people get wrong about burnout or stress?

Burnout is sneaky!

Most people don’t even realize they’re in it until it gets super serious. It shows up as random mood swings, nights spent staring at the ceiling instead of sleeping, or weird gut issues you can’t explain. The trick is to pause now and then and ask yourself, “Am I okay?” because if you wait until you feel terrible, it’s harder to fix than prevent.

The key is to check in with yourself regularly.

How do you stay balanced when life’s nuts?

I weave tiny resets into every day. A quick walk outside clears my head and gets endorphins flowing. When my brain is in overdrive, I steal two-minute breath breaks to calm my nervous system. And if stress is piling up, I step outside. Just a minute in nature can reset everything. Also, I let go of any need to be perfect. Life can be like a rollercoaster sometimes, and we have to give ourselves some grace. I see way too many people getting stuck in that all-or-nothing mindset, and they expect themselves to be perfect. Let’s all let go of that! 

What do you wish companies understood about well-being?

Wellness isn’t a “nice extra”; it’s the secret sauce for performance and retention. 

When organizations prioritize health and their people, they see fewer sick days, skyrocketing engagement and teams that innovate under pressure instead of collapsing. If a company is interested in becoming the best and getting that competitive edge, they must invest in what makes the difference, which is their people.

A favorite breakthrough story?

One client was in the throes of a brutal divorce and had completely checked out on self-care. We started with one habit at a time until those wins piled up. By the end, she not only looked stronger but felt unstoppable, even going after a dream job she never thought she deserved.

This just proved to me the powerful ripple effect that happens when a person starts prioritizing themselves!

What impact do you want in the next few years?

I want to make health your best flex, the new baseline not just in boardrooms, but across our entire culture. I’m on a mission to train over 1,000 leaders in resilience and peak-performance practices, help companies reclaim tens of thousands of hours lost to stress, sick days, and burnout and prove that prioritizing well-being isn’t a luxury, it’s a leadership strategy.

But more than that, I want to spark a cultural shift. One where taking care of your health isn’t seen as selfish, but as smart. Where do we stop wearing burnout like a badge of honor and start celebrating boundaries, energy, and longevity as the real flex. Because when we redefine success through the lens of well-being, everyone wins.