Finding Clarity After Burnout: My 9 Year Entrepreneurial Story

Couch to $500K #103 - In this podcast episode, I get real about my burnout after finally achieving what I had worked for over the past decade. I had a family with three kids, paid off all my debt, and was running multiple successful businesses, but hit a wall.

My story starts five years ago with the launch of SwitchPod on Kickstarter, where we raised over $400,000. Despite this success, personal challenges arose, like expecting our first child and balancing business with family life. The pandemic also hit and I had to quickly pivot my businesses without being able to travel.

I talk about the craziness of 2022, juggling my biggest client project to date and the demands of a growing family, including newborn twins. Even though things were headed in the right direction professionally, a fallout with a major client led to a big loss of planned income, which also felt like a huge betrayal.

During this time, I also faced personal setbacks, like a failed house purchase. With savings but no clear direction, I drifted and eventually sought therapy to process my emotions and past experiences. Therapy was transformative, helping me gain clarity and closure.

After a year of reflection and support, I’ll share how I recovered from burnout and I hope this episode encourages you if you’re currently stuck in a velvet rut like I was.

0:00 - It felt like a finish line
1:05 - Let's go back to 2019
4:34 - My busiest year ever in 2022
6:56 - Client & subcontractor drama
8:56 - What was I going to do next?
10:36 - Drifting & procrastination
11:11 - Seeking escape & therapy
13:02 - Solid inner tube metaphor
14:19 - Figuring out what was next
16:03 - Anti-famous
17:14 - Teasing the next episodes

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[CalebWojcik]

I'd love to hear from you in the comments a story from either a time you burned out or how you recovered from burning out. Let's help each get back on our feet.

Timestamps:
0:00 - It felt like a finish line
1:05 - Let's go back to 2019
4:34 - My busiest year ever in 2022
6:56 - Client & subcontractor drama
8:56 - What was I going to do next?
10:36 - Drifting & procrastination
11:11 - Seeking escape & therapy
13:02 - Solid inner tube metaphor
14:19 - Figuring out what was next
16:03 - Anti-famous
17:14 - Teasing the next episodes

[RickSeigmund]

Hey Caleb, so great to see you back!

I've got to say, I believe your voice and insights are sorely needed in this space. Thank you for sharing, and you've absolutely got me (and plenty more) cheering you on.

We've all had low spots, and will continue to grind through them. My opinion, that's life. Not good or bad, simply how things can go. What helps? Honestly, looking at your family and knowing they love you and are counting on you. Feel that weight, it's appropriate. For me personally, my faith in God.

Hi to Jen, so looking forward to what you have to share.

[craigw.scribner]

Thanks, Caleb, for your honesty and sharing your experience. As a father of triplets who were born when our first child was two (now 36 and 38 years old), I totally understand. Keep up the great work and, as a long-time subscriber to your channel, I look forward to following your progress.

[AlvinTatumJr]

Thanks for sharing. I have 20 years in military so i can relate to the craziness of life.

[GriffinConway]

Great video. Nice to hear from you after all this time. Really interesting journey. Thanks for sharing!

[Secretweapondoze]

This is exactly what my life needs ❤🎉❤, I can’t wait!

[AudreyWigginsShow]

Your transparency is incredibly inspiring. Thank you, Caleb, for putting yourself out here in the community. You are blessed because you are a blessing. I stumbled over here from X. I am so glad I did!🥰👏🙌🙏 I have a slightly similar client story which made me stop webcasting for a while. Starting in 2011 I began producing/editing webTV shows because of a video suite of tools I was selling at the time. It had a web show. I created my show and got entrepreneurs to come to my makeshift studio and talk about their business. I even won an award for supporting business owners. This one guest in particular encouraged me that the show was valuable and that pole would pay to be on it. In the meantime, we finished her interview and released it. She later told me she had never watched it and that she had got sick. Duh, it's the internet. The content is evergreen. That thing upset me so bad that I just couldn't do it anymore. I also had a good friend die. He had a 4-month-old and two younger kids and a wife. Unlike you there was no money loss involved but my feelings were hurt. Actually, my finances were not that great at all during that time. I didn't even have a car - yeah it was repossessed. I saw a counselor too and was so excited to keep that appointment every week or every other week (I don't remember) on the bus🚌no less! Well, I'm long past that and excited for my future as I face retirement from the 9to5. I am excited to launch into the deep water and catch a big fish or 10.😄🎣🤑 Thanks again!

[EzraMF]

For us that live in SD $500k a year is to live fairly comfortable