How Burnout Led Me to Discover Momentum
We don’t really know what we’re made of until we’re tested. And sometimes, life doesn’t just test us—it breaks us open. My hardest challenge did exactly that. But in the breaking, I found something unexpected: clarity, resilience, and a version of myself I never knew existed.
The Challenge That Shook Everything
I took an entry-level sales manager position at a value-based healthcare startup that had big ambitions but no clear roadmap. Startups are chaotic, and this one was no exception. The industry itself was shifting, and scaling a company requires both speed and precision.
Despite the uncertainty, I thrived. Through overcoming challenges, solving problems, and truly knowing myself, I carved a path no one had walked before. I became the company’s first Regional Director of Growth, then Divisional Director of Growth, and ultimately Vice President of Outreach. I wasn’t the only VP, but I was the one who made the deepest impact—widely respected by executives and the field alike.
I wasn’t just climbing the ranks—I became the subject matter expert, the go-to person for navigating growth challenges. The strategies I developed didn’t just unlock revenue—they positioned us for something bigger.
Success Without Stability
Despite the rapid growth, it often felt like we were struggling to find our footing. Burnout rates in fast-scaling startups are high, and I saw it firsthand. The pressure was relentless, turnover was high, and the demands never slowed.
It was like running at full speed on shifting ground—exciting, but exhausting.
Eventually, I started burning out too. The work I had once been so passionate about started to feel heavy. And the hardest realization? My spark wasn’t being recognized. Worse, it wasn’t burning as bright as it could.
The Turning Point: Finding My Strengths
Every level of success brought new problems. More pressure. More fires to put out. More people looking for answers—answers I often had to create from scratch.
But in those moments, I learned something important: I was built for this.
Not because I had all the answers, but because I knew how to find them.
I learned that my greatest strengths weren’t just in strategy or execution—they were in adaptability, problem-solving, and relentless preparation.
When others hesitated, I moved.
When others doubted, I found solutions.
When things broke, I built something better.
Discovering My Dreams and Purpose
At some point, I had to ask myself: What do I truly want?
I had proven I could drive growth, build teams, and solve complex problems. But was that enough? Did I want to keep climbing the corporate ladder, or was there something more?
The answer became clear: I wanted to build something of my own. Not just another high-growth play, but a framework—a way to help others grow, lead, and create sustainable success.
The Theory of Momentum was born from this realization. Growth isn’t a mystery—it’s a discipline. And I wanted to teach that discipline to others.
The Self I Found Along the Way
I used to think success was about reaching the top. Now I know it’s about building something that lasts. I don’t just measure my impact in titles or revenue—I measure it in the leaders I’ve developed, the businesses I’ve helped, and the people I’ve inspired to take action.
I also learned that self-awareness is everything. The biggest breakthroughs in my career didn’t come from external wins—they came from looking inward, questioning my own assumptions, and being willing to evolve.
Final Thoughts: Growth Is a Choice
Growth isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about facing it with purpose. I didn’t set out to be a leader, a subject matter expert, or someone who helped position a company for a $10 billion buyout. I became those things because I chose to embrace the challenge, to learn, and to push forward—even when it was hard.
But there’s another lesson, one that took me even longer to learn: sustainable success requires balance. As the Tao Te Ching says:
"Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity."
I had to step back to see the bigger picture—to recognize that my next chapter wasn’t about chasing another title or another win. It was about building something meaningful, something that lasts.
Whatever challenge you’re facing right now, know this: It’s not here to break you. It’s here to reveal you.
