Why do so many startup founders feel lost or burned out after reaching success?

In this episode, we uncover why some startup companies feel "flat" or emotionally collapsed after major milestones like scaling or exit. We explore the hidden startup struggles that emerge when momentum slows — and how founders can avoid spiraling.

You’ll learn powerful startup tips and the Realignment System designed to foster sustainable business growth, inner clarity, and strategic decision-making during high-pressure transitions.

What really happens after scaling fast or exiting big? Many founders hit emotional walls — burnout, loss of purpose, or mental fatigue.

In this episode, psychiatrist-turned-performance coach Dr. Anne-Marie King shares her Realignment System — a 90-day mental performance framework for high-growth founders.

Hosted by Mario Rivas

📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.

New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.

🧭 Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Why Founders Struggle After Success

02:30 Symptoms of Misalignment While Scaling

06:40 How Mental Performance Drives Growth

10:20 From Psychiatry to Coaching Founders

15:00 What Happens Post Exit (and Why 70% Crash)

20:45 The Realignment System & Operating Rhythm

26:00 Identity, Recovery & Finding Purpose Again

30:00 Key Advice for Any High-Performance Leader

💬 Key Highlights

▸ 70% of exited founders experience post-exit emotional collapse

▸ Common symptoms: burnout, overwhelm, second-guessing, scattered focu

▸ The real reason momentum stalls at scaling stage: internal constraints

▸ Dr. King’s 90-day operating system for mental performance & founder alignment

▸ Why identity loss is so common post-liquidity and how to rebuild▸ How to decode founder signals and map hidden bottlenecks to outcomes

👥 Who Should ListenStartup & scaleup founders • Investors • Executive coaches • Wellness-focused leaders • Board members • Exited entrepreneurs • Founders feeling stuck

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🧠 Keywords

startup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, mental fitness, founder psychology, exited founders, performance coaching, founder burnout, alignment, identity work

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