Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Startup Founder Shares Mental Health Impact of Intense Work Weeks
Imagine you're building something cool, like a company.
This person worked super hard, almost 24/7, for two years and made a lot of money.
But, they were so busy working that they forgot to take care of themselves.
They started feeling really bad, like having panic attacks, and couldn't even get out of bed some days.
Finally, they had to stop working and take a break.
They learned that it's important to take care of your mind and body, even when you're busy.
Now, they work less, feel better, and are still doing well with their company.
A startup founder shared experiences of working 100-hour weeks, achieving $1.2M revenue, and experiencing burnout.
The founder's mental health declined, leading to panic attacks and difficulty performing daily tasks.
They realized the importance of mental health, sought therapy, and took an eight-month break.
Recovery involved establishing boundaries, delegating tasks, and reducing work hours.
The founder now prioritizes consistency, stability, and a sustainable work-life balance, with $1.8M ARR.
- Who
- A startup founder who worked 100-hour weeks.
- What
- A startup founder shared the impact of 'hustle culture' on their mental health, detailing experiences of burnout and recovery.
- When
- The founder experienced a mental breakdown in March 2023 and shared experiences over two years.
- Where
- Not explicitly stated.
- Why
- To share the realities of 'hustle culture' and the importance of prioritizing mental health.
Pro-Hustle
Anti-Hustle
Work Ethic
Pro-Hustle
Hustle is the only way to success.
Anti-Hustle
Mental health is the core of success.
Work Priority
Pro-Hustle
Prioritize work above all else.
Anti-Hustle
Work-life balance and boundaries are a necessity
- Revenue Achieved
- $1.2 million in 2 years
- Working Hours
- 100-hour weeks
- Mental Breakdown
- Occurred in March 2023
- Recovery Period
- Eight months
- Current ARR
- $1.8 million