Hi fellow founders,
This week, we’re tackling a reality many of us know too well: burnout.
A quote from Dr. Christina Maslach, a pioneering researcher on burnout, hits hard:
"Burnout is not just about being tired. It’s about being so drained that you can’t function in ways you once did. It’s not about working too hard—it’s about working in ways that don’t work."
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Security doesn’t have to slow you down. As the digital landscape evolves, security challenges like vulnerability exploits, DDoS attacks, and bot fraud are becoming more complex.
Join Cloudflare Application Security expert Catherine Newcomb, Product Marketing Manager, for a discussion on different ways to stay ahead of attackers and keep your business moving forward, including:
Vulnerability exploit, DDoS and attack protection
Bot and fraud management
API security and management
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Burnout is no longer a personal problem—it’s a structural one.
More than half of startup founders reported experiencing burnout in the last year. With fundraising still brutal and market conditions forcing teams to do more with less, many founders feel like they’re running on fumes. The pressure to keep pushing forward—no matter the cost—has led to a dangerous reality where exhaustion is normalized and burnout is seen as the price of success.
The narrative around resilience in startups often reinforces this cycle. We celebrate founders who grind through impossible workloads and praise perseverance without acknowledging the psychological and physical toll it takes.
But resilience shouldn’t mean self-destruction.
When resilience backfires
Resilience is often framed as the ability to keep going, no matter what. But just like overused grit can trap people in unwinnable situations, resilience can become harmful when it forces founders to ignore warning signs. Psychologists call this maladaptive resilience—when the very traits that drive success push you toward burnout.
Here’s how that plays out in startups:
Endurance over effectiveness: Instead of adapting to challenges, founders keep pushing through exhaustion, treating rest as a luxury instead of a necessity.
Isolation instead of support: Many founders believe they have to handle everything alone, making it harder to ask for help when they need it most.
Sacrificing well-being for progress: The hustle culture myth convinces founders that neglecting sleep, nutrition, and relationships is a sign of commitment rather than a red flag.
The hidden cost of toxic resilience
Toxic resilience doesn’t just affect individuals—it impacts entire teams. Founders who constantly push through exhaustion set the tone for company culture, where employees feel pressure to do the same. Studies show that workplaces with high burnout rates experience increased turnover, lower engagement, and worse decision-making. A founder running on empty isn’t just a personal problem—it’s a leadership risk.
Reframing resilience as a leadership skill
True resilience isn’t about enduring hardship indefinitely—it’s about adapting and knowing when to step back. Some of the most effective leaders have learned that setting boundaries and prioritizing recovery isn’t a weakness, but a strategy for longevity.
Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading researcher on self-compassion, argues that how we approach challenges matters more than simply enduring them. Her studies show that founders who practice self-compassion—acknowledging stress without self-judgment, setting realistic limits, and seeking support—are better equipped to navigate setbacks without burning out.
Here’s how founders can reframe resilience for long-term success:
✅ Resilience is collective: The burden of endurance shouldn’t fall solely on individuals. Building a supportive network—whether through co-founders, mentors, or peer communities—creates a foundation for sustainable success.
✅ Rest is a strategy, not a setback: High-performance athletes treat recovery as essential to performance. Founders should do the same.
✅ Adaptability over blind persistence: The ability to shift strategies, pivot when necessary, and recognize when something isn’t working is a key leadership skill—not a sign of weakness.
✅ Normalize asking for help: Founders who foster environments where mental well-being is prioritized create healthier, more sustainable companies.
