The Damage Not Even 6 Years in Bali Could Fix

Bali State of Mind Newsletter

Today, I’m peeling back the curtain to share a deeply personal journey with you. Building a venture-backed tech company on a global scale, I unwittingly subjected my mind and body to a relentless, almost 10-year-long assault. The aftermath was nothing short of staggering: depression, significant weight gain, breathing issues, and sleep disturbances. It was a hefty toll, and today, despite six years of embracing the Bali lifestyle, the echoes of that tumultuous journey still linger within me.

Despite appearing fit, I still grapple with the remnants of that period, notably the visceral fat that stubbornly clings from those heavyweight days. It's bewildering and, in many ways, a silent struggle that many of us in the high-stakes world of startups and executive leadership face, yet seldom discuss openly.

?? Embarking on the Lif-Life Health Platform and Retreats ??

Working on the Lif-Life health platform and retreats, I've inadvertently become the ultimate guinea pig, navigating through the intricacies of healing and recovery, while also grappling with the realization that the path ahead demands a tenfold effort due to the weight gained in the past. Some issues persist, and some scars may never fully heal. My stress tolerance has irrevocably shifted, and the desire, or perhaps the capacity, to manage anything on a global and substantial scale has waned. The mere thought of travel, of subjecting my body to the toxicity of time zone changes, is now a consideration to be weighed heavily.

?? From Opera Singer to Entrepreneur: A Journey of Peaks and Valleys ??

Reflecting back, no one prepared me to sustain a career of such intensity and relentlessness. As a former opera singer, I was deeply entrenched in the world of performance optimization, always ensuring I was at my peak when it mattered most – presentations, pitches, interviews, board meetings. But I was woefully unprepared for optimizing my off-peak hours, inadvertently embarking on a decade-long sprint instead of a much healthier interval training.

A Personal Manifesto for Sustainable Success and Well-being

?? 1. Sleep is Non-Negotiable:

Adhere to a strict sleep schedule and enforce it amongst your peers and team.

?? 2. Nutritional Vigilance Before Sleep:

Limit intake to water or sugarless tea three hours before bedtime.

?? 3. Embrace Intermittent Fasting:

Skip breakfast and address morning hunger by optimizing sleep.

?? 4. Cherish Your Relationships:

Dedicate 90 daily minutes to nurturing your closest connections.

?? 5. Master the Art of Saying ‘No’:

Reject 95% of requests and intensively serve your top investors, customers, and staff.

?? 6. Commit to Continuous Learning:

Allocate 20% of your work time to continuous learning.

?? 7. Minimize Meetings:

Encourage precise, text-based questions and provide concise answers.

?? 8. Eliminate Alcohol and Sugar:

Minimize these elements to stabilize your biochemistry.

??? 9. Prioritize Daily Exercise:

Incorporate a varied exercise routine into your daily life.

?? 10. Focus, Then Fully Disconnect:

Define and track your goals, then truly disconnect and indulge in life’s pleasures once they’re achieved.

Closing Reflections

Embarking on the startup journey while safeguarding our mental and physical health is a nuanced balancing act, requiring conscious, deliberate choices and, occasionally, the courage to defy the norm. Let’s traverse this path together, placing our well-being at the forefront as we innovate, create, and lead.

Stay connected for more insights, narratives, and tips in our next issue. Until then, prioritize yourself, and remember: your well-being is not just paramount, it’s everything.

Warmly,

Julien Uhlig