── A wake-up call for every startup founder
From our founder
For over 30 years, I hardly ever caught a cold, never suffered from hay fever, and remained unvaccinated for COVID—yet I stayed healthy.
In the past four years, I’ve consistently run 300 km per month and took pride in my physical condition and routine.
But recently, I experienced something unexpected: my health started to slip.
When progress comes at the cost of the basics
Over the past 3–4 weeks, I was deep in product improvement and fundraising prep.
I barely stepped outside, slept less, and saw my Garmin sleep score drop to the 50s.
Meals became rushed—mostly noodles, rice bowls, and too many carbs, with little protein or vegetables.
“I’ll fix it all starting tomorrow,” I thought.
Then came an event with pizza and beer.
The next morning, I started feeling off—mild fatigue and a dull headache. I decided to slow down and rest.
Still, my condition didn’t improve.
I told myself, “It’ll pass just like always.”
Even though I knew alcohol might disrupt my sleep, I figured, “I’m going to bed early at 8pm, one beer won’t hurt.”
The next morning, both of my eyelids were badly swollen.
Health hacks for founders aren’t shortcuts—they’re habits
Unable to even visit a clinic, I finally committed to a reset.
I rebuilt my meals around vegetables and protein. I cut alcohol completely.
I prioritized sleep, and only after four days could I lightly run again.
At one point, I couldn’t even jog due to pain from the pounding in my head.
It was a powerful reminder that founder performance begins with consistency in the basics.
Takeaways for founders and operators
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Even if you have endurance and a solid routine, imbalances in sleep, nutrition, or stress will hit you fast
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“Just one drink” during recovery can lead to unexpected setbacks
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When your condition is unstable, be cautious—even with networking events and business travel
Reflection
In the startup grind, we often take pride in powering through and staying in control.
But when your health gives way, what matters is how honestly and steadily you rebuild.
This experience reminded me that my strength was never just discipline—it was the small, consistent habits I had built over time.
Losing my balance, then regaining it, turned out to be the checkpoint I needed before stepping up to the next level.
