My Journey from Health Crisis to Wellness

Many entrepreneurs sacrifice their health chasing success, only to face unexpected crises. This is my story of neglect, awakening, and transformation through practical wellness strategies.

How Entrepreneurship Took a Toll on My Health

Over nine years, I transitioned from retail management and politics to IT support before discovering internet marketing in 2013. During that time, I built multiple ventures—including Legiit and Superstar SEO—while sidelining my well-being. Each morning began with a walk to my desk and ended 18 hours later at my bed, punctuated only by delivery meals of pizza, burgers, or sushi. My daily Kung Fu practice vanished as I logged minimal movement, and between late 2016 and 2019, I gained about 70 pounds without noticing. Small warning signs—racing heartbeats when climbing stairs or unexplained sweating in air-conditioned rooms—became background noise I ignored in pursuit of growth.

“I was determined to not only build a business that paid me well but build something truly special… I would literally sit at my desk and my computer for 18 hours a day.”

Every entrepreneur knows the grind, but I didn’t realize how quickly weight gain and chronic stress could undermine both physical and mental health.

The Turning Point: My ER Visit on Memorial Day Weekend

In April 2022, a fluttering sensation in my chest jolted me awake. It wasn’t classic pain, but a persistent tightness that made each breath noticeable. Lacking a primary care physician and health insurance, I spent weeks navigating an overburdened post-COVID system: specialists booked for months and even buying simple Mucinex ended at a locked pharmacy door. Vulnerability morphed into a deep depression—one night, I feared I wouldn’t wake up.

On May 30, I ordered a home blood pressure cuff and recorded an alarming 172/97. Racing to an urgent care center, I underwent an EKG, then an ER visit packed with chest X-rays, multiple blood draws, and follow-up EKGs during a holiday weekend. Doctors ruled out a heart attack and clot, yet offered no guidance on root causes. I walked away thousands of dollars lighter, armed with test results but no clear path to recovery.

Taking Control: Diet, Movement, and Coaching

Faced with medical ambiguity, I decided to chart my own course. Starting June 2022, I partnered with a nutrition coach from Built With Science. My plan wasn’t revolutionary—just a consistent calorie deficit, balanced macros, and whole-food meals. Breakfast might be Greek yogurt with berries; lunch a chicken-quinoa salad; dinner grilled salmon and vegetables. I used an app to track protein, carbs, and fats, gradually swapping processed snacks for fresh produce.

Movement became non-negotiable. I replaced marathon desk sessions with walking breaks, setting a daily goal of 10,000–25,000 steps. By September 2022, I’d lost 45 pounds, regained energy, and noticed my mood lift alongside my shrinking waistline.

Exploring Advanced Wellness Solutions and Practices

With foundational habits in place, I introduced evidence-based strategies under professional supervision:

• Hormone Optimization: Testosterone therapy to restore balanced levels, addressing lethargy and low mood.
• Metabolic Support: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) injections to support lean muscle and fat loss.
• Cellular Health: Glutathione injections to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Thyroid Management: Armor Thyroid to regulate metabolism.
• Nutritional Insurance: Daily fish oil, vitamin D, and essential micronutrients.

Beyond supplements, I returned to martial arts with Muay Thai and boxing classes. The cardiovascular intensity and skill-based training rekindled my Kung Fu roots, boosted fitness, and fostered community. To measure progress, I adopted wearables like the Oura Ring and Apollo Neuro, tracking sleep quality, heart rate variability, and stress recovery. Analyzing this data guided daily adjustments, ensuring continuous improvement on my wellness journey.

Rediscovering Joy through Hobbies and Social Life

Optimizing health isn’t just about labs and workouts—it’s also emotional. To break the work-only cycle, I reignited forgotten passions, collecting Funko Pops as a mindful ritual that now includes over 50 figures displayed on my desk and shelves. This lighthearted practice offers daily moments of delight and presence. Bi-weekly dates reminded me of the importance of meaningful relationships, while Saturday movie outings—over 80 films in three years—reconnected me with storytelling that fuels creativity. During walks, I listen to audiobooks ranging from business strategy to fiction, feeding my mind as well as my body. Upgrading my wardrobe signaled an outward reflection of inner change and boosted confidence in client meetings. These personal investments in joy and connection proved as vital as any supplement, fortifying mental resilience and sparking innovative ideas.

Why Health is Crucial for Sustainable Business Success

Prioritizing health transformed every facet of my entrepreneurial performance. Consistently securing eight hours of quality sleep gained me two extra productive hours each morning and reduced error rates by 30% on client campaigns. Stable hormones and improved cardiovascular fitness sharpened my focus, allowing me to tackle complex challenges with mental clarity. Stress resilience enabled scheduled deep-work sessions without burnout, contributing to a 25% increase in revenue across my businesses over the past year. Instead of viewing self-care as a distraction, I now consider it the engine of innovation. Treating physical and mental wellness as strategic assets sharpened my competitive edge and provided sustainable capacity for scaling new ventures.

Conclusion and Encouragement for Entrepreneurs

Investing in your health is not a luxury—it’s your most critical business strategy. By combining mindful nutrition, consistent movement, targeted medical support, advanced tracking, and joyful personal pursuits, you’ll unlock mental clarity and physical endurance that power every entrepreneurial goal.

Actionable Takeaway: Start today by adding one sustainable habit—whether swapping a daily sugary snack for fruit or committing to a 15-minute evening walk—and observe how small changes compound into transformative wellness and entrepreneurial growth.

Ask yourself:

• Which aspect of your health have you neglected the most?
• What is one simple step you can implement today?

Embark on this wellness journey, share your progress, and remember: sustainable success demands a healthy foundation.