An international supermodel, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and three beautiful kids: for a long time, the union between Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady seemed more wholesome than… well, The Brady Bunch. But after 13 years together, the couple finalised a $700 million (£611m) divorce last month, with reports suggesting they disagreed about his decision to come out of retirement and return to the playing field.

If the rumours are to be believed, Brady isn’t exactly on his own in having a preoccupation with his occupation. According to data from business advisory service Evelyn Partners, one in three people in the UK have pressed pause on major personal milestones, such as getting married or having a baby, to prioritise career targets instead. And while we may have been conditioned to believe that relentlessly grafting is the key to a successful professional life, 28% of men and 20% of women come to regret these decisions. Especially when their refusal to take a break causes a breakup.

Aaron*, 34, used to work hours so far beyond the 9-5 that he made Dolly Parton look like Dolly Part-Time. “I’m employed in record label and artist management, and for years it was all-consuming: calls with Australia in the early morning, LA in the evening, WhatsApps around the clock… Even by the standards of a demanding industry, I worked intensely – and honestly, I felt validated by the recognition I got for my zealous work ethics,” he admits. “My partner, Melissa*, and I started planning for a family, and I convinced myself that my growing commission was essential to provide for us, while ignoring the fact my work/life balance had zero boundaries and was completely out of control. Melissa felt increasingly sidelined while I carried on, convinced the chaos and compromise was an essential part of competitive working life. I was so fixated on trying to keep all my career plates spinning, issues went unchecked… until there was no room left for anything but the stresses, and our marriage broke down.”

Married to the job: how easy is it to balance work and love?