You Are More Than What You Produce: Akasha-Regine’s Story

Hospitality can be fast-paced and exhilarating, but it can also push people to breaking point.

For Akasha-Regine Rodgers, now an Ambassador for The Burnt Chef Project based in Baltimore, the pressures of the industry once became overwhelming.

“I’ve wanted to be a chef forever. Food was always how I connected,  with culture, with people, with healing.But what I didn’t learn was how to care for myself.”

Chasing the Dream and Hitting a Wall

Akasha-Regine spent years working in kitchens, driven by the dream of opening her own café and being part of a thriving community. By 2019 she was bartending full-time while running a food truck, determined to make it work despite living with chronic illness.

“I pushed through chronic illness, burnout and the weight of survival, until I couldn’t anymore.”

That same year, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

When her business partner left and her personal relationship faltered, the pressure became unbearable.

“I felt completely overwhelmed, isolated and out of control.”

Then the pandemic hit and with it came an unexpected pause.

“As hard as it was, it gave me the time to slow down and start again with softness, with nourishment. I learned to cook for myself, really for the first time.”

Finding The Burnt Chef Project

During that difficult period, Akasha-Regine discovered The Burnt Chef Project on social media.

“For the first time, I felt seen,  like someone truly understood the pressure, exhaustion and mental toll that comes with working in this industry.”

Reaching out wasn’t easy.

“Because of my anxiety, I texted instead of calling. Even that small step felt huge  but once I pressed send, I felt a sense of relief. It was like I finally gave myself permission to ask for help.”

Practical Support That Lasts

What she found was more than a helpline.

“I wasn’t just handed a quick fix,  I was given resources that I could use both in moments of crisis and in my everyday life. That balance made all the difference.”

The tools and insights she gained changed her approach to work and life.

“The knowledge I gained about mental health gave me language, tools and perspective that I still carry with me today.”

Turning Point and Becoming an Ambassador

Support from The Burnt Chef Project helped Akasha-Regine create a healthier, more sustainable path forward.

“I’ve experienced significantly less burnout. By focusing on my wellbeing first, I’ve been able to live with more purpose and to help others do the same.”

She is now an Ambassador for The Burnt Chef Project, sharing her experience to help others feel less alone.

“I’ve followed The Burnt Chef Project since its beginning, and now I’m proud to be a part of it, spreading the word and encouraging others to reach out.”

A Message to Hospitality Workers

“Don’t treat yourself the way capitalism treats you. You are so much more than what you can produce. When you learn to value yourself beyond what you can do, you open space to flourish,  to rest, to heal, and to pour into your passions more intentionally.”

“Remember that you are part of the art that makes this earth less ‘eh’ and so much more alive. Reaching out for support is not weakness; it’s a step toward honouring your worth.”

Free, Confidential Support for Hospitality

The Burnt Chef Project provides free, 24/7, confidential mental health support for anyone working in the global hospitality industry. No one should have to reach crisis point before finding help.

Get support here.