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From Afghanistan to burnout to Better Happy, Mike Jones has lived every extreme.
After five years in military intelligence (including two tours with Special Forces), Mike chased fulfilment across Thailand, Nepal, and Australia… only to find himself building a business that drained the life out of him.
In this episode, we unpack how hustle culture broke him, and how he rebuilt a business (and mindset) that actually works.
🔗 Find Mike on LinkedIn and YouTube
Takeaways from Mike’s episode
1️⃣ Working harder isn’t the answer, working on the right things is
Mike says most founders aren’t lazy. They’re just busy fools. “It’s actually trying to work hard that’s holding them back.” Strategy beats sweat.
2️⃣ Burnout sneaks up slowly then hits like a truck
Mike didn’t realise how burnt out he was until months after shutting his gym. “It was only two months later I realised how bad I was.”
3️⃣ Success without sacrifice is possible if you stop selling your time
“The real shift,” Mike says, “is selling outcomes, not hours.” It’s how he broke free from the founder trap and built a scalable, sustainable business.
4️⃣ The workplace is the new religion
With declining community and belief systems, Mike argues that people now seek meaning, purpose and belonging through their work. Leaders need to step up.
5️⃣ If your business can’t run without you, you don’t own a business, you own a job
Mike’s mantra: the business must work for you, not the other way round. That means systems, ownership mindset, and ruthless clarity on what not to do.
📖 Mike’s book recommendations
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama – shifted his view of what happiness really is
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku – perspective from a Holocaust survivor
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman – spirituality in story form
Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley – essential reading for building a scalable, asset-driven business (which I’ve previously broken down)
The Happy Business Revolution by Mike Jones – his own playbook for building a business that works for you (and featured in my book club)
In this episode we cover:
00:00 Introduction to Mike Jones
02:35 From Military to Mindfulness
11:10 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
19:23 Recognising Burnout and Seeking Change
23:10 Building a New Business Model
25:00 Navigating Corporate Partnerships and Personal Branding
29:56 The Modern Workplace as a New Religion
37:16 Finding Purpose in Work Beyond Money
41:42 Success Without Sacrifice: A Myth?
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