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I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

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Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#31
post #22

Yeah, this hits a little close to home. My own (mis)adventure is pretty well documented[1], so I won't bore anybody with details, except to say: I'm living proof, and very nearly dead proof, of important parts of what Rui says. It's so easy to let your health go by the wayside, pushing yourself harder and harder, and thinking "I'll lose the weight next month" and then "next month" is "in six months" and then it's "ne…

> It takes decades for the bad nutrition, lack of exercise, too much sugar, smoking, etc. to do their damage. Well what if those decades were your childhood? I've been fat since the day I was born, because I was a child of a lazy welfare queen who thought food equals bag of potato chips a day. I dropped out of high school and went on to sick leave because of severe sleep apnea. (Slept 0-4 hours a night, I had so much…

> Well what if those decades were your childhood?

Then you are starting with a massive disadvantage, there is no way to sugar coat it.

But unless you are properly knocking on death's door it is never too late to start improving things. It can be surprising how quickly you can make small change with a little determination, and how quickly small changes add up, and how much each small change can motivate the effort for the next, especially if you can avoid being completely derailed by the occasional set-backs (that will happen).

If your condition is as bad as it sounds then consult a trained medical person if you can rather than relying on tips from the Internet - they may be able to provide you with a plan specific to your needs that will jump start your progress safely (on the Internet you'll find many ways to jump start progress that may be unsafe either generally or specifically for someone in your current condition).

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#32
post #22

Yeah, this hits a little close to home. My own (mis)adventure is pretty well documented[1], so I won't bore anybody with details, except to say: I'm living proof, and very nearly dead proof, of important parts of what Rui says. It's so easy to let your health go by the wayside, pushing yourself harder and harder, and thinking "I'll lose the weight next month" and then "next month" is "in six months" and then it's "ne…

> It takes decades for the bad nutrition, lack of exercise, too much sugar, smoking, etc. to do their damage. Well what if those decades were your childhood? I've been fat since the day I was born, because I was a child of a lazy welfare queen who thought food equals bag of potato chips a day. I dropped out of high school and went on to sick leave because of severe sleep apnea. (Slept 0-4 hours a night, I had so much…

Have you ever thought about writing a blog about your childhood experiences? One experience per post. It would make for a riveting and informative read. Then make it into a book. I even have a good name for it.

If you're interested or want to discuss the idea further, email me. My contact info is in my profile.

P.S. I'm not a publishing magnate or VC, just a guy who writes and has lots of ideas. I see a promising idea here.

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#33
post #23

Notes from the trenches: There's a million and N ways to die, both as a company and an individual, if you let them. Basically, expect failure as a default state, don't (or try not to) take it personally. Don't give up on something that people want (and will pay money for)... you may hit 2 to 5 patches where it's "this sucks, I wanna die" times. Get over it (you can if you really want it bad enough), move ahead. (If n…

Playing the game from a weak base and trying to win through tricks (sleeping in a car, caffeine, etc., etc.) is not a good approach. It's like switching from the poker game to the slot-machines so you can try to hit the jackpot with those last nickels.

Having a strong base to build on is much more powerful. Have good health. Good relationships. Good savings. Good income potential. Use that base to build your company on; when the base breaks down rebuild it first and only then resume work on your company.

It's much more powerful in the long term; and especially so after 30 when your body can no longer handle everything that's thrown it at.

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#34
post #22

Yeah, this hits a little close to home. My own (mis)adventure is pretty well documented[1], so I won't bore anybody with details, except to say: I'm living proof, and very nearly dead proof, of important parts of what Rui says. It's so easy to let your health go by the wayside, pushing yourself harder and harder, and thinking "I'll lose the weight next month" and then "next month" is "in six months" and then it's "ne…

> It takes decades for the bad nutrition, lack of exercise, too much sugar, smoking, etc. to do their damage. Well what if those decades were your childhood? I've been fat since the day I was born, because I was a child of a lazy welfare queen who thought food equals bag of potato chips a day. I dropped out of high school and went on to sick leave because of severe sleep apnea. (Slept 0-4 hours a night, I had so much…

There's zero harm in taking care of your body now. Any progress is good progress.

It's only part of the equation though. For a healthy body you also need a healthy mind. If childhood mistreatments still haunt you, ask for professional advice. Nobody wants to live in the shadow of their parents.

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#35

There's one takeaway - no pun intended - that leaps out from this. Learn. To. Cook. I run a small, scrappy company that's been in startup mode multiple times over the last 20 years. Being a good cook might well be the most valuable skill I've used over those years. It lets you drop to very low personal expenditure very easily - far lower than you could manage on all but the junkiest of ready food - whilst still eatin…

It also helps your brain to release stress & depress.

Over the years I've discovered that cooking is the most enjoyable hobby that saved me going into constant stress & depress.

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#36

There's one takeaway - no pun intended - that leaps out from this. Learn. To. Cook. I run a small, scrappy company that's been in startup mode multiple times over the last 20 years. Being a good cook might well be the most valuable skill I've used over those years. It lets you drop to very low personal expenditure very easily - far lower than you could manage on all but the junkiest of ready food - whilst still eatin…

> Thinking about it, would a "How To Cook For Hackers" video / ebook / webseries be of use or interest to HN?

What's the hacker angle on cooking? In my experience, cooking is much more of a craft than an intellectual exercise, which doesn't make it very 'hackable'.

Personally, I'd recommend start with something like these [1][2] - good, fast, cheap, nutritious food has been focus for many others than hackers, for quite a while.

1: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/category/books/jamie-s-15... 2: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/columns/dinner_tonight/

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#37
post #22

Yeah, this hits a little close to home. My own (mis)adventure is pretty well documented[1], so I won't bore anybody with details, except to say: I'm living proof, and very nearly dead proof, of important parts of what Rui says. It's so easy to let your health go by the wayside, pushing yourself harder and harder, and thinking "I'll lose the weight next month" and then "next month" is "in six months" and then it's "ne…

> It takes decades for the bad nutrition, lack of exercise, too much sugar, smoking, etc. to do their damage. Well what if those decades were your childhood? I've been fat since the day I was born, because I was a child of a lazy welfare queen who thought food equals bag of potato chips a day. I dropped out of high school and went on to sick leave because of severe sleep apnea. (Slept 0-4 hours a night, I had so much…

Watch Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead movie. Not for the diet recommended in the movie, but for inspiration.

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#38
post #3

I am addicted to Coca-Cola and need the caffeine to stop the headaches, my diet consists of quick easy takeout so I have enough time to work in the evenings and spend time with my 3 month old daughter. I am currently working on a side project that I hope will prove itself worthy of "giving it a shot". Now I'm thinking I need to get my health right before I even consider that...for want of a better saying, it's defini…

Cooking a good meal only takes 10-20 minutes.

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#39
post #22

Yeah, this hits a little close to home. My own (mis)adventure is pretty well documented[1], so I won't bore anybody with details, except to say: I'm living proof, and very nearly dead proof, of important parts of what Rui says. It's so easy to let your health go by the wayside, pushing yourself harder and harder, and thinking "I'll lose the weight next month" and then "next month" is "in six months" and then it's "ne…

> It takes decades for the bad nutrition, lack of exercise, too much sugar, smoking, etc. to do their damage. Well what if those decades were your childhood? I've been fat since the day I was born, because I was a child of a lazy welfare queen who thought food equals bag of potato chips a day. I dropped out of high school and went on to sick leave because of severe sleep apnea. (Slept 0-4 hours a night, I had so much…

If you're really so far overweight that you have to "work the rest of your life" to be presentable, then seek a doctor's advice. They can (legally!) give you powerful medications (in the US, methamphetamine) which can drop weight very quickly.

Not that weight is the only health metric, but it seems to be one you are complaining of. Nor is medicating perhaps the best way to lose weight, but it's powerful and might give you motivation to keep at it once you get some easy losses.

Re: I Almost Let My Failed Startup Destroy Me

#40
post #3

I am addicted to Coca-Cola and need the caffeine to stop the headaches, my diet consists of quick easy takeout so I have enough time to work in the evenings and spend time with my 3 month old daughter. I am currently working on a side project that I hope will prove itself worthy of "giving it a shot". Now I'm thinking I need to get my health right before I even consider that...for want of a better saying, it's defini…

You should try tea as caffeine source.
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