The Mental Side of Scaling: Jordan Calgeron on Burnout, Boundaries, and Long-Term Vision

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, Avik sits down with Jordan Calgeron—2x exited founder and President of StratDev—to explore the often-overlooked mental and emotional journey of young entrepreneurs. From building his first company in college to turning down 11 acquisition offers in a single year, Jordan reveals the unseen pressures of early success, including burnout, isolation, and the struggle to find balance. He also shares personal strategies on setting boundaries, protecting energy, and choosing growth with integrity over fast exits.

About the Guest:Jordan Calgeron is a serial entrepreneur and the current President of StratDev, a Top 100 US marketing firm. He’s built and sold companies by age 26, delivered TEDx talks, and even launched a wine brand. Beyond business, Jordan is committed to mental resilience, long-term sustainability, and redefining what success looks like in the startup world.

Key Takeaways:

• Starting young can lead to burnout fast—Jordan worked 20-hour days during college, often sacrificing social life and sleep.

• True vacations and time-blocking are essential tools Jordan uses to avoid mental collapse.

• He turned down 11 acquisition offers in 2023 to play the long game—and the decision paid off.

• Quick decision-making and the ability to course-correct are more valuable than intelligence in entrepreneurship.

• Building a business shouldn’t come at the cost of losing yourself—find time to recalibrate, reconnect, and reflect.

Connect with Jordan Calgeron:Follow Jordan and his work at StratDev: https://www.stratdevdigitalmarketing.com/

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