Stress Isn’t the Enemy, it’s a Messenger.
Here we are at the close of April, wrapping up Stress Awareness Month. And if you’ve been navigating the pressure of building a business, leading a team, or simply showing up each day with intention, you’re not alone.
This isn’t a moment for confetti. It’s a moment for reflection. Because for those of us integrating ambition with authenticity, stress isn’t just noise, it’s a signal. And how we choose to listen to it makes all the difference.
Let’s rewind. There was a chapter of my life where the “American dream” turned into a damn near burnout reel. I was living in my parents’ basement (yep, as a grown man), tanked one business deal that lost $1.3 million, watched $9 million walk out the door in another, and let’s just say my nervous system was fried.
Me circa 2014, if you would have told this guy what was to come, he wouldn’t have believed you.
But here’s the kicker: I didn’t crash because I failed. I crashed because I was hustling with zero alignment. That’s the kind of stress that doesn’t just keep you up at night, it rewires your soul. It makes you question if all the emails, all the intense long hour days, and all the pitch decks are worth the cost.
The Numbers Are Real and They’re Not Pretty
👊 Workplace stress has been reported to cause 120,000 deaths in the US each year
👊 Life expectancy for men in the U.S. is still down from pre-pandemic highs
👊Millennials and Gen Z are clocking in with lower health scores than older generations
Translation: we’re not just burned out; we’re biologically paying the price. But the problem isn’t stress itself. It’s how we respond to it. Let me say it louder for the high performers in the back: Stress isn’t here to ruin you. It’s here to redirect you.
The stress you feel is often a symptom of 3 core things:
- Misalignment: You’re chasing “shoulds,” not your own purpose.
- Isolation: You’re doing it all alone and pretending you’re fine.
- Over-identification: You are your business. If it fails, you think you fail.
I’ve lived every single one of those. Hell, sometimes I still do. But now I’ve got the tools to catch myself before I spiral.
Health Is More Than a Side Hustle, It’s Your Leadership Foundation
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as a founder wasn’t about scaling companies or closing big deals. It was this: you can’t outperform a body and mind running on fumes. Years ago, I was grinding so hard I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded. I was leading multiple businesses, but I wasn’t leading myself. And honestly? Everything around me, my clarity, my energy, even my joy, was out of shape.
Circa 2015, I thought hustle culture was the answer, I learned the hard way it wasn’t.
That wake-up call forced me to shift. Not with some massive overhaul, but with small, intentional changes:
- A 10-minute walk to reset my brain.
- Fueling with better food so I could actually think clearly.
- Journaling when my thoughts started spiraling.
Those little tweaks? They added up. And they created the kind of capacity I needed to lead, not just do more, but be more present for my team, my clients, and most importantly, myself.
The truth is that health isn’t a reward for getting through the stress, it’s the foundation that lets you rise above it.
When you make space for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, you’re not stepping back from leadership. You’re stepping into the kind of leadership that lasts. So, if you’re feeling the pressure right now, ask yourself: Where can I lead from care, not just grind? Because when your health becomes your baseline, everything else, your business, your vision, your relationships, levels up with you.
Build a Life That Can Hold What You’re Building
Most of us spend so much time building businesses, chasing opportunities, and stacking calendars… We forget to build a life that can actually hold the success we’re aiming for. Stress shows up when the system we are operating in, mentally, emotionally, even physically, can’t meet the moment we’re in.
And I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve built fast, lost fast, and learned the hard way that growth without grounding is just a faster way to burn out. So now? My goal isn’t just to grow, it’s to grow with capacity.
Graphic by DALL-E
Here’s how I define leadership capacity:
- Mental bandwidth to solve big problems without spiraling into burnout.
- Emotional regulation so I can lead with clarity, not reactivity.
- Nervous system resilience so I can show up, even when the pressure’s real.
The entrepreneurs and execs who will win in this next chapter aren’t the ones who hustle harder. They’re the ones who can hold more, without losing themselves in the process. If that’s the game you want to play, ask yourself: What am I building right now that supports my life, not just my business? That’s where leadership gets real. That’s how stress becomes a catalyst, not a curse. Stay grounded, stay real, and stress just might become your superpower.
Mental Resilience Is the New ROI
Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: your title might say “Founder,” “CEO,” or “Executive,” but stress doesn’t care. It hits all of us. And if you’re leading without prioritizing your mental health, you’re leading on borrowed time. We talk a lot about mindset in business, growth mindset, strategic mindset, performance mindset. But the one that often gets overlooked? Resilience.
Not the “push through it” kind. The kind that helps you respond instead of react. The kind that allows you to make hard calls without hardening your heart. Here’s why it matters now more than ever: A 2024 study revealed nearly 70% of employees say their manager impacts their mental health more than their doctor or therapist. That’s wild. That’s also equal to the impact of a romantic partner.
So, let’s be clear, leadership isn’t just about direction. It’s about emotional influence. The way you show up sets the tone. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. It’s about creating cultures where performance doesn’t come at the cost of well-being. Empathy scales trust. Resilience scales leadership. And if you’ve been treating mental health like a checkbox, maybe it’s time to treat it like your next big growth strategy.
🔁 ICYMI: A Human-First Fireside Chat on AI That Hit Different
Wow. That fireside chat was one for the books. If you joined us live last week, thank you. We know time is one of your most valuable currencies, and the fact that you spent an hour with us means the world.
Big shoutout to John Stix , who dropped pure gold on how small businesses can scale with AI without losing the human edge. His insights on ethical innovation and real-world application? Game-changing. And of course, a huge thanks to Rachel B. Lee for helping guide a conversation that wasn’t just smart, it was real.
Couldn’t make it? We got you. 👉 Catch the replay here
This wasn’t theory. It was strategy, lived experience, and next steps you can act on now.