I Ran a Business for 26 Years Until My Body Broke (How I Healed) - Craig Cooke

What do you do when the drive that built your multi-million dollar company is actively destroying your health?Craig Cooke started his digital agency in 1996 with just $1,300 and an Apple computer. Over a 26-year marathon as CEO, he grew the company into an Inc. 5000 powerhouse. But behind closed doors, the grueling schedule and relentless pressure led to extreme burnout and a full-on diabetes diagnosis. Realizing his business was eating his life, Craig turned to an unconventional path to heal: marrying the discipline of Kung Fu with the ancient practices of Chinese Energetic Medicine.In this episode of FailCraft, Craig joins Ezekiel to discuss the harsh reality of corporate burnout and the shift from "hustle to flow." He shares how he completely reversed his diabetes without medication, how he survived the 2009 recession with just $5,000 in the bank and a payroll due, and a simple 10-minute "tapping" routine that acts as an energetic cup of coffee for exhausted entrepreneurs.In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover:* The Breaking Point: How putting everyone else first led Craig to extreme physical burnout and a diabetes diagnosis.* Reversing Diabetes Naturally: The rigorous discipline and lifestyle changes required to fight illness on all fronts.* Business Kung Fu: How the warrior spirit helps you get back up when you lose a massive client bid.* The $5k Panic: Surviving the ultimate entrepreneurial nightmare of barely scraping by to make payroll.* The Tapping Protocol: A simple, 10-minute desk exercise to re-awaken your nervous system and fight mid-day fatigue.* Redefining Success: Why chasing material wealth is just an endless hamster wheel, and how to find true fulfillment through service.This episode is for stressed-out founders, burnt-out executives, and anyone who feels like they are sacrificing their health for their career.Connect With Craig Cooke:* Website & Free Qigong Exercise: https://craigcooke.com/* Book: Business Kung Fu (Available on Amazon)* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigcooke/ * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/craigcooke/ * X https://x.com/craigcookeSupport the Show:* Subscribe and leave a review!* Share this episode if it resonated!Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft?* Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraftChapters:01:10 Introduction: Craig Cooke & Business Kung Fu02:12 The Diagnosis: Passing Out on the Couch05:22 Reversing Diabetes Naturally (Without Medication)07:05 Shifting from the C-Suite to Chinese Energetic Medicine08:35 Taking the Hardest Hits: The Resilience of Kung Fu11:19 The 2009 Recession: $5,000 in the Bank and Payroll Due13:44 Stop the Bleeding: The 10-Minute "Tapping" Routine16:40 Craig's Definition of True Success19:02 How to Get the Free Qigong Download & Connect