Erik Severinghaus: the conversation

Mornings in the Lab · Interview transcript

You ever catch yourself working harder just to avoid sitting still with your own thoughts? The calendar is full. The goals keep moving and the one thing you never schedule is a conversation with yourself because somewhere along the way you started to wonder if the thing pushing you forward is the same thing wearing you down. Eric Severinghaus built a life that looked like proof it wasn't. Built his first company as a college sophomore. It sold for $169 million. He kept going, made partner at IBM. He helped lead another company to a $220 million dollar acquisition. Over 600 million in combined exit. He summited Everest. He finished two Iron Mans and then he lost an engagement, a best friend and his savings. Closed six companies. A prominent Chicago investor called him the single worst investment ever made and somewhere in the middle of all of it he lost his ability to feel joy. The wins [music] kept coming. The work kept moving but nothing landed anymore. He described it as joylessness. So he sat down. Every morning 10 minutes eyes closed. He started studying Buddhism and asking a question most achievers won't touch. If I lose my anxiety, will I lose my drive? That question is still open. If you've ever wondered whether your edge and your exhaustion share the same root, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. Eric, welcome to Mornings in the Lab. We're glad you're here. Johnny, I'm excited about this one, man. Imagine summiting Everest, standing on top of the world at just under 30,000 feet. You've done two Iron Mans. You built successful companies worth over $600 million and then on the way down you sit down and you say climbing Everest was the second hardest thing I've ever done. Yep, the second. Eric Severinghaus, what's up, Eric? Keith, John, thanks so much, man. I'm excited to be here. I appreciate you guys. Yeah, yeah, yeah. How are you after the week? So first of all, where are you joining us from today? Chicago, Illinois. Yes. I saw you smiling while w