When Success Becomes the Problem: A CEO’s Press Pause Story

Send us Fan MailEntrepreneur Shane Barker built a fast-growing company with 130 employees and a $25M valuation in just two years. But behind the success was a dangerous reality. He was working 18-20 hour days, living on coffee and energy drinks, missing his son’s baseball games, and slowly pushing his health to the edge. Then came the realization that changed everything. In this episode of Time to Press Pause, Shane shares the moment he understood that success without boundaries can cost you everything, your health, your relationships, and your presence in the moments that matter most. Today, Shane leads a smaller team, protects his energy, and lives by a different philosophy of leadership. A powerful conversation about ambition, burnout, delegation, and redefining what success actually means.We talked about:The hidden cost of entrepreneurial hustle cultureWhy working 18–20 hours a day nearly broke himThe moment Shane realized he was on track for a heart attackWhy delegation is one of the most important leadership skillsThe difference between work-life balance and life harmonyWhy most entrepreneurs ignore the signals their body sendsHow COVID reinforced the importance of being presentBuilding a lean company without sacrificing personal life  This conversation is a powerful reminder for entrepreneurs, leaders, and founders chasing growth at any cost. 🌐 Shane Barker https://tracefuse.ai 📘 Ellen Williams https://thesalientstrategist.com 📖 Ellen’s Book – Creating Time: The Key to Productivity and Peace Available on major online bookstores.