We Need Outside Interests that Consume Us

We Need Outside Interests that Consume Us

Author: Startups.com April 21, 2025 Duration: 50:24

Dive into the common struggle founders face with burnout and the inability to truly relax. Ryan and Will  share their personal experiences and discuss how traditional relaxation methods often fail for them. Instead, they highlight the importance of finding other meaningful and challenging obsessions outside of work to channel their energy. From woodworking and home-building to martial arts, they explore how these activities can provide a sense of accomplishment, progression, and actual mental rest, ultimately making them better and more effective in their startup journeys. Tune in to gain insights on how to recharge as a founder by embracing big, consuming projects that challenge and fulfill you.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast 
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders 
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to listen for:

00:44 The Struggle with Relaxation
01:36 Failed Attempts at Relaxation
03:32 Vacation Dilemmas
05:52 The Need for Mental Engagement
09:47 The Importance of Completion
14:07 Finding New Problems to Solve
22:10 Woodworking as a Solution
24:13 The Obsession Begins: From Birdhouses to Building a House
24:48 The Challenge of Building a House from Scratch
25:35 Balancing Work and Passion Projects
26:31 The Importance of Completion and Physical Activity
27:53 Managing Overwhelm and Finding Solutions
29:14 The Power of Small, Consistent Efforts
30:22 The Role of Meaningful Side Projects
33:17 The Need for Mental and Physical Challenges
36:21 The Value of Overwhelming Projects


Building a company is far more chaotic and personal than any business school case study lets on. Startup Therapy from Startups.com digs into that reality, moving past polished success stories to focus on the raw, unvarnished journey. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan, who have each navigated these trenches themselves, lead conversations that feel more like essential conversations between founders than a standard interview show. They tackle the specific pressures that come with trying to transform an idea into something meaningful-the financial strain, the team dynamics, the personal sacrifices, and the frequent moments of doubt that rarely make the keynote speech. This podcast operates on a simple premise: the best guidance comes from those who have been there, not from abstract theory. Each episode is a candid session, dissecting the professional hurdles and the intense emotional toll that founders manage daily. You’ll hear direct talk about fundraising fails, partnership conflicts, burnout, and the small victories that keep everything moving forward. It’s a resource for anyone in the thick of building something, offering practical perspectives and a sense of shared experience when the path gets especially tough. The dialogue is straightforward and focused on actionable insight, providing a genuine look at the resilience required to change the world, one startup at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Startup Therapy
Podcast Episodes
Are Founders Aligned with Those Around Them? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:33
The complexities of alignment among founders, employees, and even spouses. They debunk the notion that perfect alignment exists, emphasizing that often, perceived alignment is more fiction than reality. The conversation…
Will the Payout be Worth the Sacrifice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:13
The challenging question of whether the sacrifices made in pursuit of entrepreneurial success are ultimately worth the payoff. Will retells his personal story of almost buying an expensive house in Bel Air only to realiz…
How Founders Blow Their Fortunes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
The critical do's and don’ts after a big financial win as a startup founder. They emphasize the importance of not oversharing about your wealth, shifting from an offensive to a defensive mindset, preserving your gains, a…
When is Enough, Enough? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:37
Ryan and will talks about a critical issue many founders face: knowing when to say 'enough is enough.' They explore the constant pursuit of growth both personally and professionally and how it can turn into a liability i…
Can Entrepreneurship Alleviate Poverty? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:57
How entrepreneurship can transform lives and communities? Will shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They explore whether entrepreneurship can be a means to allev…
Should Startups Be a Family? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:22
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the challenges and dynamics of blending friendship and professionalism in startups. They delve into the potential pitfalls of treating your startup te…
Can Founders be Replaced by AI? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
Ryan and Will talk about the growing role of AI in startups. They explore how AI is automating traditional founder tasks like writing, coding, and analyzing data. The conversation delves into the existential threat AI po…
What if we run out of goals? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:59
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will talk about what happens when you hit all your big goals and realize there might not be any more mountains left to climb. They discuss the complex feelings and…
Founders, Reinvention IS your Constant! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:06
Will and Ryan talk about the fascinating and often overlooked journey of reinventing oneself. Will shares his diverse background, from being an ad guy to becoming a multi-time startup founder, and stresses the importance…
Founder Isolation is Getting Worse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
Ryan and Will talk about the growing isolation that founders are feeling despite having more ways to connect. They delve into how the shift to remote work, the impact of social media, and the rise of AI have contributed…