Hi, I’m Jason. This is where I share openly about the challenges, insights and lessons from my own journey. My hope is that these thoughts spark reflections that help you navigate your own path to living better and leading better. 

Jason Leavy
Founder

-  Dr. Eva Selhub, MD

The crazy thing is that when I look back, I was convinced I was fine.

Working crazy hours? Standard.

Back-to-back calls across time zones? That's what being a global COO means.

Navigating the disconnect between the owner’s claims and the company’s culture? Painful, but I’ll do whatever it takes to bridge that gap.

We all tell ourselves stories - I told myself I was built differently. That I was one of those people who thrived under pressure. That my capacity to keep going was actually a strength.

I was right… until I was wrong.

Burnout is a complex beast not the binary one people think. There can be a tendency just to view it through the lens of long hours, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

The more I learn, the more I listen, the more I’m convinced that my elastic band theory captures the danger of burnout - how we will stretch and stretch, each time telling ourselves we’re coping… right up until the moment we snap.

So if we know it’s not all about putting in long hours, what is it about?

Research from organizational psychologist Christina Maslach, who developed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, reveals that burnout has three distinct dimensions:

What I’ve come to realise is that burnout is about the relationship between workload and recovery. It's about whether your work aligns with your values. And it’s about whether you have agency and control.

In my case, I was working long hours, but what really drove me toward the edge was the misalignment between my values and the company culture. The hours were a symptom, not the cause.

The insidious thing about burnout is that it doesn't announce itself with a bang. It arrives quietly, disguised as “I’m just tired" or "having a rough week.”

It’s easy to tell yourself that what you’re experiencing is just a phase that will pass. Some of the time that will indeed be the case. But, if you tell yourself that every time, you’re missing a critical window.

Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology identifies several early warning signs that precede clinical burnout:

Physical signals:

Cognitive signals:

Emotional signals:

Behavioral signals:

These signals are your brain and body sending you critical data. There’s an art in tuning into them… and there’s a danger of tuning out. 

I never reached the complete breaking point of clinical burnout (thank God), but I came frighteningly close. And here's the crucial thing - I didn't see it coming because I'd convinced myself that my ability to keep stretching was a sign of strength rather than a warning signal.

As a leader, I know the reality of your world. I see you.

So the last thing I’m going to do is start preaching about things that in reality just aren’t compatible with the high stakes, high stress world you live in.

I want to meet you where you are - to provide practical, evidence-based insights that you can integrate into your work and your life:

1. Integrate micro-recovery rituals into your daily routine

You don’t need a wellness retreat to recharge. The science shows even small acts of movement have a powerful effect. Our own Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr Brendon Stubbs, has just released compelling new research showing that even a daily 15-minute walk or movement break delivers a measurable boost to mental wellbeing and productivity. (There’s a reason some of us call walking ‘moving meditation’).

2. Protect your sleep boundaries

Sleep is the foundation of your wellbeing and it’s non-negotiable for nervous system regulation. Inadequate sleep doesn't just make you tired, it fundamentally impairs emotional regulation, decision-making, and stress resilience. Quality matters here as well, not just quantity - there are always times you’ll need to push through, so it’s about working how you can dial up and dial down to stay the course.

3. Do stuff that feels good for the soul

Invest time in activities that genuinely light you up - make time for social connection outside of work, as research now proves it’s one of the most powerful things you can do for your wellbeing. Do exercise that you genuinely enjoy, not what you think you ‘should’ do. Adopt an explorer mindset and experiment with new activities you think you may enjoy and find fulfilling. Treat all of these as seriously as any financial commitment - invest in your wellbeing.

4. Use tech.. But don’t become a slave to it

Tools like Oura, Whoop, or similar devices can provide valuable data, but only if you use them correctly. Use the data to inform decisions, not create more anxiety. The most important data of all is how you’re feeling - tune into that, don’t suppress it.

5. Become CEO of your own body

Relating to the above point, don’t outsource agency of your life to a therapist, a piece of tech or a PT. Be intentional and tune into your own data. Make the time to observe, reflect and be curious regarding what’s going on. Don’t listen to the surface-level story you tell yourself. Dig deeper and understand what is really going on.

There's one critical piece I haven't addressed yet: the huge influence of authenticity, value alignment and purpose when it comes to your relationship with burnout. That's because it's too big (and too important) to tackle as a footnote.

Next week, I'll be diving deep into this, including how my last role left me feeling like a shadow of my former self, primarily because I'd lost my purpose and was being asked to compromise my values.

But before then, here’s my plea.

The elastic band analogy taught me something crucial: resilience isn't about how far you can stretch. It's about knowing when to release the tension before it becomes permanent damage.

If you're reading this and thinking "this sounds familiar", please don’t wait for the snap.

And remember, we’re only a call away. Progress is always possible.