
As a startup CEO, I’ve always taken pride in my resilience; resilience in the face of challenges, long hours, and relentless uncertainty. I believed I was almost invincible. That illusion shattered when an unexpected event reminded me just how fragile life truly is.
This story begins on October 28, 2024 with what I thought was a minor stomach ache. Like many founders, I’d trained myself to push through discomfort, so I dismissed it. Meetings were scheduled, product launches were imminent, and our team was on the brink of something great.
Who had time to pause for a stomach ache?
But the pain didn’t subside. It worsened until it became unbearable. I remember being on a call with one of my mentors, Audrey Godwin, who insisted; no, demanded that I end the call and head to the emergency room immediately. At the time, I thought she was overreacting. In hindsight, her insistence quite literally saved my life.
When I arrived at the ER, I brought my laptop, planning to tackle work in the waiting room; an ironic reminder of how deeply I’d neglected my health for the sake of the business. The diagnosis: a ruptured appendix rapidly escalating to organ failure. The solution: an emergency, non-routine appendectomy. Since the appendix had already burst, the surgery carried high risks and a startlingly high mortality rate.
What followed was a harrowing experience that transformed my perspective. Complications during surgery led to an 11-day hospital stay, with six tubes attached to my body. It felt like an eternity. From running at full speed to being confined to a hospital bed, I was forced to stop and confront my vulnerability, pain, and fears. In those quiet, sterile moments, the lessons came flooding in.
Lesson 1: Your Health is the Foundation of Your Hustle
I’ve often preached sustainability to my team, yet I wasn’t practicing it myself. Startups demand relentless drive, but no deal or milestone is worth your life. That hospital bed drove home the reality: if I don’t prioritize my health, I can’t show up for my team, my family, or myself.
Now, I’ve embraced non-negotiables: regular health check-ups, exercise, and rest. The grind doesn’t stop, but neither should self-care.
Lesson 2: Trust and Empower Your Team
When I was suddenly out of the picture, my team didn’t crumble; they stepped up. Watching them tackle challenges, make decisions, and keep the company moving forward was humbling. It reinforced the importance of building a team that not only follows but leads.
As CEOs, we often feel irreplaceable, but that mindset is dangerous. Trusting your team isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. Now, I focus on empowering others to lead, ensuring the company can thrive beyond any one individual.
Lesson 3: Time is Precious so Use it Wisely
Eleven days in a hospital forces you to reflect. I thought about the hours I’d wasted obsessing over trivial details that wouldn’t matter in the long run. I thought about the moments I missed with my family, glued to my laptop.
Life’s fragility isn’t just a cliché; it’s a reality I’ve now lived. Today, I’m more intentional with my time, prioritizing meaningful work and personal moments over mindless busyness.
Lesson 4: Vulnerability is a Strength
I’ve always struggled with vulnerability. As a leader, there’s pressure to project confidence and control. But in that hospital bed, I had no control. I relied on doctors, nurses, my family, and my team. It was terrifying but also liberating.
Now, I’m more open about my struggles, both personal and professional. Vulnerability fosters connection. It’s brought me closer to my team and shown them that leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about authenticity.
Moving Forward
That 11-day pause changed me. It forced me to reset my perspective. Leaving the hospital, I wore a wound vacuum for over a month and underwent physical therapy to regain mobility. It took two months before I felt a semblance of normalcy again.
Yes, I still have big dreams for our startup. Yes, I’ll still work tirelessly to achieve them. But now, I approach the journey with a renewed appreciation for balance and self-care.
To my fellow founders, hustlers, and dreamers: pause before life forces you to. Prioritize your health. Trust your team. Cherish your time. And don’t be afraid to show your humanity. It’s in those moments of vulnerability that we discover our greatest strength.
Life gave me a second chance. I plan to make the most of it. I hope my story inspires you to do the same.
Written by Mbaluka Mutinda - DUKAPAQ CEO