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Entrepreneur 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 culture
• Why working 18–20 hours a day nearly broke him
• The moment Shane realized he was on track for a heart attack
• Why delegation is one of the most important leadership skills
• The difference between work-life balance and life harmony
• Why most entrepreneurs ignore the signals their body sends
• How COVID reinforced the importance of being present
• Building 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.