How I Knew I Was Burned Out and Headed For Disaster - Leadership Minute

And what I did next

This is the first time I’m sharing this story in full: what happened when I hit my breaking point and the toll it took.

The first sign was the eczema that started in 2018. It grew from a spot on one wrist to patches on both wrists, knees and arms—and visits to a dermatologist, an allergist and nutritionist didn’t help. This was a warning shot, but I ignored it.

A year later, I developed debilitating heartburn, which was confirmed with an upper gastrointestinal exam and required medication to manage.

Then came 2020: the pandemic, followed by our company bringing on a major investor at the end of the year, which included two months of grueling due diligence. Even after a successful outcome, my heartburn returned with a vengeance, and I was back on medication.

By the time I handed the CEO role to my long-term number two at the end of 2021—a move two years in the making—I was struggling immensely. After 14 years as CEO—over a decade working nights and weekends to build my business, followed by an existentially threatening pandemic and a major partnership—I was burned out physically and mentally.

What was surprising was that stepping down as CEO didn’t bring the relief I expected. Instead of feeling more clarity and balance, I found myself facing new challenges I hadn’t anticipated and couldn’t easily solve.