The Self-Discovery Every Entrepreneur Must Do To Conquer Any Leadership Challenge with Alex Raymond

Ashish Kothari: Hi, Alex. It’s so lovely to have you on the Happiness Squad podcast, my dear friend.

Alex Raymond: Hey, Ashish. Thank you for having me. Congrats on the podcast and the impact you’re making in the world.

Ashish Kothari: Same to you, my friend. For those listening, I met Alex about a year ago. We had both joined this club, and I ran into Alex while he was running something that really caught my attention—the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit. That was nearly two years ago. I was in India at the time and couldn’t attend the first year, but I went the second year, and I loved it.

The summit was two days long, held in Boulder, and it wasn’t just the conversations and speakers that stood out—it was Alex’s presence. He’s a startup entrepreneur who’s also worked in big companies, so he’s lived the startup life firsthand. He’s not someone sitting in an ivory tower analyzing data or retreating from the world. He’s in the arena every day.

As we were prepping for this episode, we talked about how none of us are perfect. But through the work Alex has invested in learning and sharing, I’m sure you’ll gain some amazing insights.

To start, Alex, could you share a bit about your origin story? What inspired you to create the Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast and the summit? Was there a defining moment or experience behind it?

Alex Raymond: A lot of people who aren’t entrepreneurs might not understand the level of stress that comes with being one. For those outside the entrepreneurial arena, they often just see the headlines—companies doing great, people making money, and being successful. But the reality for many entrepreneurs is very different. It’s full of uncertainty, doubt, and struggle. That stress can take a significant toll, and I’ve experienced it myself.

I’ve primarily been an entrepreneur in the software space. Yes, I have an MBA from INSEAD—hands up, guilty—but I’ve spent most of my time outside traditional MBA environments. Instead, I’ve been involved in starting companies or contributing to the creation of several ventures.

Back in: 2014

The program lasts 90 days, and it’s intense. We worked hard, and it was both exciting and challenging. But one day, after the program ended, I came home and sat at the kitchen table. My wife looked at me and said, “What’s the matter with you?” She pointed out that I looked miserable, disengaged, and like I wasn’t having any fun.

She said, “You just got into Techstars, which is supposed to be the pinnacle of your entrepreneurial career. Why aren’t you more excited or happier?” At first, I got defensive. But as I thought about it, I realized there was truth in what she said. I wasn’t energized or showing up as my best self.

Here’s what was happening: I was constantly comparing myself to others. This team raised more money, that team had a cooler product, another team had a better pitch deck. I was stuck in full-blown imposter syndrome, telling myself stories like, “I don’t belong here,” or “They’ll find out I’m a fraud and kick me out.”

That moment, prompted by my wife’s honesty, was a wake-up call. I realized I needed to change something inside myself to show up differently in the world. I didn’t know exactly how to do it or have all the tools, but I started exploring. I dove into meditation programs, retreats, books, videos, psychedelics, entrepreneur groups, and men’s groups. I tried everything.

What I discovered was how important it is to feel good internally, how I show up, and how the stories I tell myself shape my perception of success. Over time, I reframed my thinking and shifted my perspective.

Fast forward six to twelve months, I began mentoring at Techstars. Having gone through the program, I could now help other companies navigate the challenges ahead. I had meetings with dozens of entrepreneurs, and here’s the funny thing: everyone came in with a brave face. They wanted to talk about external things—go-to-market strategies, pricing, product development, or market research.

But when I asked follow-up questions like, “How are you feeling about this experience?” or “What’s really going on?” it became clear they were wrestling with internal challenges. The real question they were asking, though they didn’t know how to articulate it, was, “When will I start to feel okay inside?”

I realized I wasn’t alone in experiencing imposter syndrome, constant comparisons, and old stories from childhood influencing adulthood. There’s a huge conversation missing around resilience and well-being for entrepreneurs.

We’re all measuring success with external yardsticks—how much money you’ve raised, the size of your company, or your client list. But there’s no internal measure for asking, “How am I doing? How am I experiencing this journey as an entrepreneur?” That realization was the start of the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit—a place to address these unspoken struggles and foster resilience and well-being in the entrepreneurial world.

Ashish Kothari: I love this, and I want to reflect on a couple of key points. These are so true, especially for startup entrepreneurs—or even consultants, for that matter. Consultants face this all the time. When I joined McKinsey, I remember feeling for the first year—and even after I made partner—like, "Oh my God, they’re going to find out I’m the dumbest person here." It’s such a common experience.

We all question our self-worth. I’ve had conversations with Susan Winchester, CHRO at Applied Materials, who said that even sitting at a Fortune 10 table, she found herself questioning if she belonged. This is something many of us struggle with.

But as a startup founder or entrepreneur, these feelings are even more amplified. You’re trying to solve a problem in a way that hasn’t been done before, constantly short on money, and unable to afford the talent you need. There’s always something in your product that isn’t perfect—bugs you might even call features. And one mistake could blow it all up.

On top of this, there’s the inner dialogue saying, "You’re not good enough," combined with comparisons to others. You’re looking at someone else’s 20-year success story and comparing it to your own starting point. It’s easy to spiral.

Alex Raymond: Absolutely, and it’s made worse by the fact that, as an entrepreneur, it often feels like there’s no safety net. It’s all or nothing—either you succeed wildly, or you fail. If you fail, the stories you tell yourself can be brutal: "I’m a failure," "I’m a bad entrepreneur," "I don’t have good ideas," "I can’t make anything happen."

Ashish Kothari: Or even, "I lost other people’s money and trust." That’s another huge weight—failing the people who believed in you. But what’s so amazing about the work you’ve done, Alex, is that you’ve created a co-learning community. It’s a space where people can explore the science of inner engineering, joy, and happiness while redefining success.

Most entrepreneurs I know say, "I don’t have time for that." They’re so busy, they feel like they can’t prioritize their well-being. But if you think about it, being an entrepreneur is like aspiring to be an Olympian. The odds of startup success are similar to the odds of becoming an Olympian—maybe even lower.

If you want world-class performance, ask any Olympian. I’ve worked with USA Gymnastics, and they’ll tell you: superior performance is only possible if you invest in your well-being.

Alex Raymond: Totally. I do hear this often. We run a two-day summit, and people say, “How can I possibly find two days to attend?” My response is, “How can you not?”

Elite athletes and performers always have multiple coaches—a mindset coach, a nutrition coach, a performance coach, a strength coach. If you’re in a high-level business or executive role, you’re surrounded by people who help you improve your performance.

Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, think, “I don’t have the money or time for this.” That mindset is counterproductive. If you’re trying to create a world-changing company, you need to think differently.

us Entrepreneur Summit in May: 2025

One of its key ideas is identifying your 80/20—focusing on the small number of tasks that generate the biggest results, versus the 80% of tasks that don’t move the needle. It’s about staying in your “unique ability” or “zone of genius.”

If you’re spending time on tasks like social media posts, bookkeeping, or sending invoices—things outside your zone of genius—you’re blunting your potential.

So when an entrepreneur says, “I’m trying to create a world-changing company, but I don’t have time for coaching or self-improvement,” my response is: you’re not creating a world-changing company. You’re just grinding. You’re stuck in survival mode.

And so we want to be able to change the conversation where people realize, “Hey, as a CEO, guess what? I don't have to do it all. And in fact, the entire company is better off if I don't. The company is better off if I focus on my particular unique abilities, the things that I'm really, really good at. I find those and I invest more and more times into those versus trying to do everything.”

When people say I don't have time for this, really what they're saying is “I have not prioritized this and I haven't figured out the secret to being an impactful entrepreneur.”

Ashish Kothari: I love this quote—I’m trying to remember who said it—but it captures this concept so well: “Busyness is just a form of laziness.” You’re too lazy to step back, find a moment of stillness, take a balcony view, and ask yourself what truly matters and what doesn’t. Instead, you’re stuck in execution mode.

Alex Raymond: That’s totally right. One of the things I love about the book 10X Is Easier Than 2X is how Ben Hardy approaches this. He’s a psychologist with a PhD who studied entrepreneurial courage, specifically what he calls the point of no return. It’s the moment when you decide, “I’m all in. I’m really doing this.”

To your point about busyness being a form of laziness, it’s so easy to fill your time with tasks and stay in hustle mode, just mindlessly going through the motions. But the real challenge—and the real courage—comes from stepping back, letting go of the things you’re not good at, and focusing only on what you excel at. That shift unleashes an entirely new level of potential.

Ashish Kothari: bsolutely. Those “balcony moments” are so powerful. I want to keep building on this. Alex, at this point, how many people have you interviewed on your podcast?

Alex Raymond: The podcast has about 75 episodes so far.

Ashish Kothari: Seventy-five episodes—75 incredible experts, startup founders, and real people. Not just theorists or researchers who haven’t done the work. Most of the people you’ve had on your podcast are actively in the trenches. They’re doing the work, living the journey. They’re not sitting in ivory towers conducting research or retreating to ashrams to escape.

I’ve listened to many of your episodes, and I was honored to be a guest. What stands out to me is that your guests bring real, lived experiences to the table. They’re not just saying, “I’ve left everything behind, and now I’ve found joy in doing nothing.”

Alex Raymond: Exactly.

Ashish Kothari: That’s fantastic. That’s great for some people, but it’s not for everyone. My wife’s always worried I’ll leave everything and go to an ashram. But I tell her, “That’s not me. It’s never going to happen.”

Let’s dive deeper into this. I’d love for you to share three or four transformative ideas around growth—both inner growth and external growth—that can help entrepreneurs move from merely surviving to truly thriving.

Entrepreneurs take this exciting, daring leap, leaving the safety of big organizations to create something new, but many get stuck in survival mode.

What are three or four key lessons you’ve learned from your journey and your conversations with others that could inspire and guide entrepreneurs to thrive?

Alex Raymond: I’ve been really lucky to have incredible guests on the Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast and equally amazing people who speak at our events. We run a flagship event and various workshops throughout the year, all designed to help entrepreneurs tackle the exact topics we’re discussing.

One idea that stands out to me is from someone who’s also been a guest on your podcast—Dr. Srikumar Rao. He’s a friend of mine and an extraordinary person, incredibly generous and insightful. The overarching concept that resonates deeply with me is his perspective that building a business is a spiritual journey.

Everything we do while creating a business—building a company, solving problems—is an opportunity to learn more about ourselves, uncover who we truly are, and experience the world as it is. Often, we resist this, fighting against reality, stuck in our own mental models, rather than watching the universe unfold as we build our businesses.

This idea is easy to agree with when things are calm, but it’s much harder when life gets turbulent—when everything feels chaotic. Finding stillness in those moments and recognizing the journey as a spiritual one is transformative.

I used to believe the purpose of a business was simply to find an unmet need, build a great product, and achieve success. But now I see it differently. My business is the vehicle through which I understand myself better. That shift in perspective reframed everything for me—how I think about my company, my career, and my life.

I’ll share a quick story about Srikumar Rao. He’s such an incredible thinker and a generous, down-to-earth person. He was the first person I ever reached out to about the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit.

During COVID, my wife got us a Mindvalley subscription, and I came across his program. I don’t usually take notes while watching videos, but with his, I couldn’t stop. I filled pages and pages with notes.

When I had the idea for the summit, I thought, “If Srikumar Rao says yes, this is happening.” I found his email online, sent him a note explaining what I was planning, and he replied within an hour, saying yes. That’s when I knew this was real.

Ashish Kothari: I love that. Let’s stay with this idea for a moment. Srikumar Rao is incredible. We’ve had him on our podcast, and we’re even collaborating on a few things.

This concept—that building a business is a spiritual journey—is so powerful. It ties back to the idea of finding yourself. Think of it as the hero’s journey. You hear the call, you set out on the path, and you don’t become the hero until you’ve slain the dragons.

And let’s be honest, entrepreneurs face plenty of dragons. Not everyone makes it back—some fall along the way. Of course, we live on, but sometimes the business doesn’t survive. There are always challenges—dragons, poisonous roots—but there are also mentors, like you and others, who guide us along the way.

What people often forget, though, is that this journey isn’t just external—it’s a journey within.

Clay Christensen, an incredible thinker and deeply spiritual teacher, wrote the book How Will You Measure Your Life? He describes business as the noblest profession because it has the power to change lives—not just through what you create, but through the people you lead and the impact you have.

When you start something, you take on the mantle of leadership. Your actions influence those who follow you.

For me, this perspective has completely changed how I approach my work. I’m not building Happiness Squad to get rich or achieve external accolades. My inner “why” is to show the world that high performance is possible through superior well-being.

It’s incredibly hard because we’re wired—and raised—in a system rooted in short-term thinking, fear, and scarcity. Capital markets, organizations, and society push this mindset of splitting the pie, focusing on survival.

But for me, this is the work. This is my “why.” It’s what I want to create. When you connect deeply to your “why,” when you find your personal legend in the work you do, it fundamentally changes how you show up.

Alex, as you said, you stop measuring yourself by how much funding you’ve raised, who’s on your board, or how fast you’re growing. Those things matter, but the deeper purpose—the path of purpose and the gifts you’re giving—becomes the fuel. The other metrics are just indicators of what’s working or what’s in the way.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

Alex Raymond: We often use the wrong measures of success, and it’s not really our fault. It’s part of our conditioning—what we’ve learned from school, business, our parents, and society. But if we can shift our thinking, we might start asking ourselves: Am I the content of what’s happening, or am I the context? Or, as Dr. Srikumar Rao puts it: Am I the actor, or am I the character?

Sometimes I get caught up thinking I’m the character in the play. In this case, the character might be the CEO. I tell myself, “I have to do this; I have to do that.” I become over-identified with playing that role. But what if I remember instead that I’m the actor?

As the actor, I’ll always be here. I get to play different characters throughout my life. My job is to play each character as well as I can, but not to get so wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of any one role.

That’s a difficult shift to make—it’s what I’d call a Jedi move. It’s easy to say, but incredibly hard to practice when you’re in the middle of it.

Ashish Kothari: Absolutely. Since we’re on the topic of the actor and the character, let me expand on that thought.

Everything we see and experience is a projection in our mind. Think about it—right now, you’re listening to Alex and me on this podcast. If you’re watching us on YouTube, you’re seeing us. But where are you really seeing us? It’s just light entering your eyes, creating an image that’s upside-down and small at the back of your brain. You interpret that as Alex and me.

Similarly, the sound you’re hearing is just vibrations passing through your ears, and because we’re speaking English, it makes sense to you. It’s all a projection.

So I’d go even further, Alex: You’re not just the actor or the character; you’re also the director of your movie. You’re the one casting the roles—deciding who’s the villain, who’s the comic relief, and who’s the person you can’t stand. You’re all of it. You’re the person seeing the whole thing.

But stepping back from this projection is where the real unlock happens. When we’re so enmeshed with our experiences, it’s hard to separate the observer from the observed. That’s when we lose clarity.

Alex Raymond: Exactly. That’s it. Those insights have been incredibly powerful for me. Let me share another one that’s really resonated.

This ties into the work from 10X Is Easier Than 2X by Ben Hardy and Dan Sullivan. I often fall into the trap of thinking small. I tell myself, “If I can just get one more feature, one more sale, one more year…” I get stuck on incremental gains instead of asking, “How can I really make an impact?”

For me, breaking out of that mindset requires confidence, creativity, imagination—and most of all, courage. It’s about having the courage to think big and act big.

In the past, I’ve caught myself making small improvements at the margins, instead of saying, “I’m a talented, intelligent, and creative person. I can do anything I want. Why don’t I think way bigger?”

It’s not my natural state, so it’s something I have to work on. But when I challenge myself to go for 10X, 50X, or 100X growth, I’m planting a flag and committing to a bigger vision.

Here’s the thing: If you aim for the moon, you might hit the stars. Even if I don’t achieve the full 100X goal, adopting that mindset and discipline means I’ll still likely achieve far more than just doubling where I am today.

Ashish Kothari: I love that—don’t think small. Go for the stars. Think really, really big. That’s how you not only achieve great things but also capture attention. There are thousands of people trying to do small, incremental things, but thinking big sets you apart.

t this—it’s old, from the: 1940

The point is, everyone is competing in the 2X mindset—incremental, small improvements. One of the greatest shifts you can make is to change your thinking to a 10X mindset or beyond. That’s where the blue ocean is. That’s where opportunities open up, and it’s where you can truly make an impact.

Ashish Kothari: I love that concept. Friends, think about this: It’s natural to play small because of how we’ve been conditioned. This is why I believe the inner and outer worlds are so interconnected. We keep talking about outer moves and inner moves in this discussion.

The outer move is to think big. But to achieve that, the inner move is to dissolve your ego. The ego plays it safe—it will always tell you, “How dare you think that big?” It’ll say, “You’re crazy. You can’t change the world. Who are you to think that way?” The ego will try to keep you confined within what you know—your budget, your resources, your comfort zone.

I’m not saying you should overextend yourself, mortgage your house, or take extreme risks. Actions can be small and grounded in your current reality. But your thinking needs to be unlimited.

When you dream, dream big. Don’t let your ego make you play small. Start from where you are, but make moves toward something extraordinary rather than incremental. That’s what Alex is inviting you to do. And the only way to do that is to dissolve the ego and reconnect with your purpose.

Ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? How will the world be better because of it?” If you’re thinking about improving the world, you can’t limit yourself to just serving 50 people to earn a living. You have to dream on a larger scale.

Alex Raymond: There’s a powerful frame for this: Ask yourself, Am I playing a finite game or an infinite game?

In a finite game, you’re playing to win—to achieve something specific. This is about earning a reward, gaining recognition, or accomplishing a goal. There’s a book by James Carse that dives into this idea.

But in an infinite game, the goal isn’t to win—it’s to keep playing. The joy comes from continuing the journey. The more inner work I do, the more I reflect, grow, and adapt to changes in my business and the world, the more I get to play the infinite game.

That’s why I see the inner game as an infinite game. For me, there’s nothing more fun than this—it’s my favorite thing to do. So I ask myself, “How can I keep playing this game?”

Ashish Kothari: I love it. Share another piece of wisdom—something personal, from your own life or others—that has stayed with you and could be transformational.

Alex Raymond: One concept that stands out to me is the idea of the zone of genius, a term coined by Dr. Gay Hendricks. Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy also talk about this in parallel, referring to it as a unique ability. Mastering this concept can give you an incredible advantage as an entrepreneur.

So, what is the zone of genius or unique ability? It’s the thing that only you can do—the work you were literally put on this earth to do. It’s work that doesn’t feel like work, something you excel at so naturally that it amazes others. When you’re in your zone of genius, you’re in a state of flow, fully immersed and energized.

Here’s the critical insight—the master move, if you will: it’s not just about focusing on your strengths. It’s about stepping out of your zone of excellence.

Your zone of excellence is where you’re already successful. You’re making money, getting recognition, and people see you as highly competent. For example, think of you, Ashish, at McKinsey. You were seen as smart, accomplished, climbing the career ladder, working with influential people around the world. You made partner, and everything looked great from the outside. That’s your zone of excellence.

But at some point, you likely thought, “I can do more. There’s something deeper that I’m meant to contribute to the world.” That’s where the zone of genius comes in.

To live in your zone of genius, you need courage. You have to say, “I’m willing to set aside the excellent work I’ve been doing, even though it’s earning me money and recognition, because I want to pursue the flame inside me—the thing I’m perfectly suited for.”

It’s not about doing many things; it’s about dedicating yourself to the one thing that’s your unique ability. That takes courage and commitment. It’s easy to say, “Yes, I’ll focus on my zone of genius,” but the hard part is stopping everything that keeps you in your zone of excellence.

Imagine what your life could be like if you fully committed to living in your zone of genius.

Ashish Kothari: I love that idea because it’s so true. There are stuff that nobody wants to do and that’s fine. The zone of excellence is easy to fall into. You’re doing things better than most people, and it often feels comfortable.

Take my time at McKinsey, for example. It was amazing in many ways—it stroked the ego. You could call someone, and they’d take your call. People sought you out for your expertise. You worked with incredible talent and did extraordinary things.

For me, I was focused on operations, and the work itself was impactful. There wasn’t a single project where we didn’t deliver at least four to eight times the fees we charged, and many times we recovered the fees in the same fiscal year. The results were phenomenal—practically infinite NPV. But even so, that work was my zone of excellence.

It didn’t feed my soul. I could do it well and deliver amazing results, but deep within that zone of excellence were the things I was truly great at—connecting with people, building trust, and helping leaders make bold moves that led to real transformation.

To achieve something like going from 4% annual savings to 10% isn’t about working harder; it’s about doing things differently, challenging the status quo. My ability to build trust and inspire those kinds of changes was my real strength.

Now, I’ve shifted my focus. I care about the inner work because so much high performance today comes at the cost of well-being rather than through well-being. The science is clear that there’s a better way to operate. I’m using my zone of genius to focus on that, and I’ve let go of the other things. There are others who can continue doing those tasks, or they simply don’t need my attention anymore.

Alex Raymond: Exactly. The trick isn’t just identifying your zone of genius—that’s the easier part. There’s a process for that. For example, we did a workshop with Gay Hendricks where a room full of entrepreneurs explored their unique abilities and gained clarity. That’s the easy part. But the hard part? It’s committing to living in your zone of genius. That’s an entirely different conversation.

Ashish Kothari: Absolutely. And let’s make this practical. Alex and I understand this can’t just be theoretical.

Look, we know you can’t immediately spend 100% of your time in your zone of genius. Especially when you’re starting out, there’s a lot that needs to get done. Unless you have a benefactor or a wealthy parent funding your journey so you can hire people to handle both your zone of excellence and what I’ll call the “zone of BS,” you’ll have to do some of it yourself.

Here’s the practical takeaway: carve out time—whatever percentage is possible—and block it on your calendar to focus on your zone of genius. It might only be 20% at first, but over time, grow that percentage.

Because if you don’t, the zone of excellence and the “zone of BS” will take up 90% of your time, leaving only small, fleeting moments for your zone of genius. You’ll find yourself stuck in everything else, with only occasional sparks of brilliance.

Start small, but make sure you intentionally create time for the work that truly matters to you.

Alex Raymond: Here’s another way this issue manifests: people who live for the weekend, who dislike their jobs, and are just grinding through their days. Another way to describe this is burnout.

One of the symptoms of not living in your zone of genius or your unique ability is burnout.

Burnout is often misunderstood, so let me explain. People think burnout means you’re just tired and need a week on a beach in Florida to relax. But burnout is fundamentally a spiritual problem. It’s a misalignment between where your energy wants to go and where your energy is going.

When these two are out of alignment, it wears you down. It’s the grind—the constant tension that drains you. Committing to living in your zone of genius or unique ability can help with burnout. But to understand it better, burnout typically has three defining characteristics:

The first is physical exhaustion. This is what most people associate with burnout. You feel tired, depleted, and lack energy. You might not even want to get out of bed. It’s a chronic, ongoing exhaustion.

The second is cynicism or depersonalization. This is when problems you used to care deeply about suddenly seem distant. You feel disengaged and uninvested in the outcomes. Whether something turns out one way or another—whether it’s yes or no, black or white—you just don’t care anymore. You feel less connected to the work and the process.

Ashish Kothari: It’s that sense of, “Nothing I do will make a difference. Nothing’s going to get better.” So you just show up and go through the motions.

Alex Raymond: Exactly. And the third characteristic of burnout is a lack of professional effectiveness. This means you’re no longer able to get the results you once could. Everything feels like you’re pushing paper or rolling a rock uphill—you’re putting in the effort, but nothing gets done.

The reason I want to share this is that there are real-life consequences to ignoring the inner voice that tells you where your energy should go. If you don’t pay attention, burnout can take over, and it can be completely debilitating for your life and career.

The more you can commit to spending time doing what you’re great at, what you love, and thinking big—and having the courage to follow through—the more beneficial it will be for you as an individual.

Ashish Kothari: Alex, I want to play back the three markers you mentioned, as this connects with some of the research I did before leaving McKinsey.

In November: 2020

It’s important to note that burnout is a clinical diagnosis. It’s not just “Oh, I’m feeling burnt out,” which people say casually. It has real, serious consequences. And taking a week or two off won’t solve it.

So here’s something actionable: Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 across the three markers Alex mentioned.

Physical exhaustion: How often do you feel physically exhausted? Five means most of the time, and one means never.

Cynicism: Do you feel a high level of cynicism toward your job or work? Rate how disengaged or detached you feel.

Effectiveness: How effective are you? Compare your potential to your current performance. Think about cognitive effectiveness—your ability to think clearly and get things done—and emotional regulation—how well you handle setbacks without flying off the handle or having emotional outbursts.

If you consistently score four or higher on all three markers, please seek professional help. Call your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), your insurance, or a trusted resource. Get help!

Burnout is not something you can fix by sleeping more, and even quitting your job may not be the answer—it might make things worse. It’s a medical issue, and it’s essential to take care of yourself.

e a crisis of meaning. Around: 2014

It’s a very real issue. So please, take the time to do the 1-to-5 test. It’s based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory, created by Christina Maslach. Look it up, and if needed, seek help.

Now, Alex, let’s switch gears a bit. We’ve talked about the entrepreneurial journey, inner work, and lessons you’ve learned from others. Let’s focus on you.

You are one of the most productive people I know. You’re involved in so many projects—you’ve transitioned from your account management company, you’re leading the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit (with the next one coming up on May 28–29), and you’ve got incredible speakers like Dr. Ben Hardy lined up.

You’re also hosting the Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast, starting a new community around account management, and contributing to Conscious Capitalism’s Colorado chapter launch. And I’m sure there are other things I don’t even know about.

You’re not sitting in an ashram living a simple, quiet life. You’re everywhere. So, what is your personal operating model? How do you fuel yourself? What are the daily routines or practices that give you the energy and focus to accomplish so much?

Alex Raymond: Thanks for that question. I do have a significant capacity for work. I’m able to process things quickly, and I genuinely enjoy it. But what I’ve found to be the most energizing is building communities that I want to be a part of.

Even though I’m an introvert, I draw energy from the community. Conscious Entrepreneur is a community I wish had existed 10 years ago. It’s the solution to a problem I faced back then. Being part of a tribe where we deeply understand and relate to each other gives me incredible energy.

I’m fortunate to have this community, as well as a close circle of supportive friends who care about me as a person—not just on a surface level. They truly have my back, and that kind of connection is a tremendous source of energy.

My relationship with my wife is another key pillar. It’s supportive and caring, and we’re both deeply committed to each other’s growth. Having that kind of foundation makes an enormous difference in my life.

As for daily practices, yes, I exercise regularly, spend time in the sauna, meditate consistently, read inspiring books, attend retreats, and watch uplifting videos. These are essential practices for me.

But above all, the number one commitment I’ve made is to myself: understanding who I am and witnessing my development and expression in the world.

This might sound unconventional to some—many of my MBA and undergraduate friends might not relate—but I’ve realized that my greatest joy in life is experiencing and learning about myself as I move through the world.

This clarity allows me to focus on activities aligned with my purpose. I say no to many things because I don’t find value in them. For example, I watch very little TV, I’m not into sports, and I avoid activities that don’t align with my core values or direction in life.

The flip side of this commitment is discipline. My discipline comes from my identity. I see myself as someone who is healthy, values inner exploration and growth, thrives on adventure, and is dedicated to helping others become their best selves.

I align my actions with these values. If something doesn’t fit—whether it’s watching a football game or spending hours on TV—it simply doesn’t make the cut.

Ashish Kothari: lex, if anyone’s watching this on YouTube, they’ll see me smiling ear to ear right now. You know the story of the two fish swimming in water?

An older fish swims past them and asks, “Hey kids, how’s the water?” And the younger fish reply, “What’s water?”

You just rattled off a list of things—exercise, meditation, retreats, community building, and so much more—like it’s completely normal. But here’s the thing: I don’t think most people are doing even two or three of those things.

Maybe they’re working out a few days a week.

Alex Raymond: That’s a great start.

Ashish Kothari: Fantastic. Great. Kudos. You know, check the box. But here’s an important point about exercise and its long-term impact on cardiovascular health. Research shows that if you work out for an hour a day but spend the rest of your time sitting—whether working, sleeping, or watching TV—there’s zero effect on long-term cardiovascular benefits.

Sitting is the new smoking. So while it’s great to exercise daily, we have to look beyond that.

Now, I want to reflect on some of the powerful things you mentioned. I took notes because they really resonated.

First: know your values. Who are you, beyond your job, your age, your zip code, or the balance in your bank account? Have you taken the time to identify your values? Many people haven’t, and it’s crucial. Your values guide how you live your life and help you decide what to say yes to—and, more importantly, what to say no to.

How many of us say yes to things we don’t really want to do? “Sure, I’ll watch the game with you, it’ll be fun,” and then we spend an hour and a half eating nachos, drinking beer, and throwing off our plans. But when you know your values, you can say no—not out of meanness, but because you’re living in alignment with your purpose.

Second: relationships. You spoke beautifully about your relationship with your wife, your friends, and the communities you’ve built. Relationships are one of the biggest drivers of flourishing. The longest-running Harvard study confirms this—quality relationships are key to a fulfilling life.

What’s inspiring about you, Alex, is that your relational web extends far beyond your immediate family. The way you invest in your community is an inspiration to me and so many others. For everyone listening, it’s a call to action: invest in your relationships and build a network aligned with your values.

Third: meditation. You’re a regular meditator, and it’s the most proven practice for dissolving the ego. It helps us take a step back, view ourselves as the actor, character, director, and even the critic in our own lives. Meditation creates those “balcony moments” where we can reflect and reset.

Fourth: reading. You’re constantly reading—not just for tasks or productivity but for personal growth. Whether it’s philosophy, spirituality, or something else, reading is about playing the infinite game and deepening our understanding of who we are beyond our titles and achievements.

Alex, as you shared all these practices, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Each of these could be a lifelong pursuit. Most people don’t even do two or three of these things, but integrating them into our lives can create real transformation.

For those listening, these principles are the foundation of ReWire, a program we’ve developed. Alex and I ran a version of it together, and we’ve brought it to organizations like Fort Collins, Danone, Pepsi, and Leeds.

Here’s the thing: you won’t learn anything new in ReWire that you can’t hear on this podcast. Knowledge isn’t power anymore—it’s noise. There’s too much information out there, often contradictory. One study says alcohol is bad, another says it’s fine.

What’s powerful now is practice. Practicing consistently until these principles become second nature. That’s where the real growth happens.

If you want to dive deeper into this inner work, I encourage you to come to the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, engage with this podcast, or join us in ReWire. The inner work is what drives outer success. Life’s external games are finite—they’ll end. But the inner work is infinite, and it’s the key to thriving in all aspects of life.

Alex, thank you for sharing your wisdom today. I’m so looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks.

And friends, when this podcast comes out, it will be just after Alex’s birthday on Monday. He’s turning 49, so please wish him a belated happy birthday and thank him for the incredible movement he’s leading.

Alex Raymond: Thank you so much, Ashish. It’s been a pleasure to be here and connect with you. Thank you for the work you’re doing—it’s truly inspiring.

Ashish Kothari: God bless, my friend.