Mental Health for Founders – How a Change in Mindset Led to a 911 Call
Founders are humans, and so they also have what we call the Silent Struggle of being Business Founders. Entrepreneurs are often portrayed as having a glamorous journey of innovation, determination, and financial success. The reality is much more challenging than that. And founders, especially those leading VC-backed start-ups, experience levels of stress, burnout, and even mental health crises that are incredibly high.
In a recent episode of Fearless Founders, the host sat down with Jeremy Docken, a seasoned entrepreneur who built a successful, VC-funded business but faced a breaking point that nearly cost him everything. Where in a moment of his life, his team had to call 911. His narrative sheds light on the hidden mental health struggles of business leaders and why prioritizing self-care and sustainable leadership is essential.
The Breaking Point: When Leadership Becomes Overwhelming
For many start-up founders, the weight of leadership is all-consuming. They are responsible for securing funding, scaling operations, and managing employees—all while maintaining a facade of confidence. Jeremy Docken was no exception.
He was a founder of a growing healthcare technology company. For years, he juggled high-stakes investor meetings, product development, and operational challenges that weighed on the business. There was so much pressure that his physical and mental health started to deteriorate. He ignored all the warning signs: exhaustion was just part of being a leader.
Then, it happened—his body and mind could no longer keep up. He began acting in such a manner that his team couldn’t endure anymore, and they thus called 911 to ensure he reached the hospital immediately. The moment served as a wake-up call: leadership has to be carried out without ruining personal well-being.
The Illusion of Invincibility: Why Founders Ignore Mental Health
Jeremy’s story is not unique. Many entrepreneurs buy into the belief that sacrificing their health is necessary for success. The culture of hustle and grind convinces founders that working 16-hour days and neglecting self-care are signs of dedication.
- Burnout and Exhaustion: Continuous working means chronic fatigue syndrome and reduced performance.
- Investor Pressure: The pressure to fail and VC expectations keep inducing stress.
- Isolation and Loneliness: Many founders feel they have no one to turn to.
- Imposter Syndrome: Even successful founders doubt their abilities and worthiness.
For Jeremy, the realization came too late—but it forced him to rethink his priorities.
Shifting Priorities: Putting Mental Health First
After his health crisis, Jeremy made a critical decision: to restructure his priorities. Before, he was focused on these three key factors:
- Company First
- Family second
- Self last
The factors above weren’t sustainable, so he reversed it to the following:
- Self-care first – Without a healthy mind and body, he couldn’t lead effectively.
- Family second – Strengthening personal relationships provided emotional resilience.
- Company third – A thriving business relies on a thriving leader.
Jeremy learned that prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. A founder who is mentally and physically well makes better decisions, leads more effectively, and creates a healthier work culture.
Breaking the Silence: The Importance of Support and Coaching
One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is believing they have to do everything alone. Jeremy now advocates for peer support, coaching, and mentorship as essential tools for sustaining long-term success.
Ways Founders Can Protect Their Mental Health:
- Find a Support Network: Connect with other founding teams who understand the stressors of leadership.
- Invest in Coaching or Therapy: Coaching or therapy for mental health helps cope with the situation.
- Set Boundaries: Set boundaries on work hours, delegate tasks, and get rest.
- Open Up About Obstacles: Breaking the silence helps reduce the stigma and encourage healthier practice in leadership.
Self-care and seeking help prevent founders from hitting the crisis point and building stronger, more resilient businesses.
Conclusion
Jeremy Docken’s case is a wake-up call that success in entrepreneurship should not cost one’s mental health. Entrepreneurs and VC-backed founders, as well as business leaders, must acknowledge that sustainable leadership starts with self-care. A lesson for business founders is that they must also take care of their well-being as much as the growth of their business. A thriving company needs a healthy, balanced, and resilient leader.
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