Mental Health is Founder Health

What my lowest point taught me

Photo by Claudia Wolff on Unsplash

I hit my lowest point a couple of months ago — a terrifying moment with just a few weeks of runway left

My co-founder Pasha and I locked eyes

We knew we needed a miracle to survive

Anxiety hit me — hard

I defaulted to my stoic nature: “Just focus. Just survive”

But beneath the surface, the stress kept building

And like a lot of founders, I ignored it

Not because I didn’t feel it — but because I didn’t think I had the luxury to feel it

We are building, selling, pitching, fixing, fundraising, leading — all while trying not to let the fear show

Just keep going

Because if you stop, the whole thing might collapse

But here’s the reality:

72% of entrepreneurs report experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression and burnout (UC Berkley)

49% of founders live with at least one diagnosable mental health condition (UC San Francisco)

And yet, only 1 in 4 founders seek help

Why?