Leading a company is a marathon — not a sprint. And after running CTS for well over a decade, I can tell you firsthand: there are moments where the adrenaline runs dry, the challenges stack up, and burnout starts knocking at the door.

But here’s the thing — long-term leadership doesn’t mean long-term exhaustion. The key is learning how to find your second wind.

Just like in running, that second wind in business leadership is real. It’s the mental shift that helps you push through fatigue, rediscover your purpose, and lead with energy again — even after years in the game.

Here’s how I’ve found mine, and how I’ve seen other long-haul CEOs do the same.

Start by Accepting: It’s Supposed to Be Hard

Let’s be honest: being a CEO isn’t glamorous most of the time. Sure, there are wins — deals closed, goals hit, milestones celebrated. But the day-to-day? It’s pressure. People depending on you. Problems with no clear answers. And very little room for coasting.

I think one of the biggest traps is believing that it shouldn’t feel this hard. That if you were doing it right, it would be smoother, easier, more “balanced.”

But the truth is, when you’re building something meaningful — especially over the long term — it’s supposed to be hard. That doesn’t mean it should burn you out. But it does mean you’ve got to stop waiting for the road to get easier. Instead, you learn to run stronger.

Reconnect With Why You Started

Every founder or leader had a reason they took the leap. For me, it was about building something real. I wanted the freedom to make decisions, to create value, and to lead a company that I believed in.

But as your company grows, it’s easy to lose that original spark in the middle of board meetings, compliance headaches, and late-night cash flow stress.

When I feel that energy dip, I try to take a step back and ask myself: Why did I choose this? Who am I helping? What still excites me about this role?

Your “why” may evolve, but staying close to it can give you the clarity — and the energy — to keep moving forward.

Prioritize Health Like It’s a Business Metric

I’ve run two half-marathons, and I still run almost every day. Not because I’m training for something, but because it keeps my mind sharp and my body in check.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your energy as a CEO is your most valuable currency. If you’re not mentally clear or physically strong, your judgment weakens, your leadership suffers, and your team feels it.

This isn’t about chasing six-pack abs. It’s about having the stamina to lead — not just survive. Whether it’s running, walking, yoga, lifting, whatever — find the thing that helps you recharge.

You wouldn’t let your business run on empty. Don’t let your body or mind do it either.

Build a Leadership Team You Trust — Then Actually Trust Them

One of the reasons CEOs burn out is because they carry everything themselves. I’ve been there. You think nobody else can do it like you can. And maybe, at first, that’s true. But if you keep trying to be everywhere, solve everything, and approve every decision — you’ll hit a wall.

The game changed for me when I started building a leadership team I could truly trust — and letting them own things. Don’t micro manage, build a team that can help the company grow.

Delegation isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about energy conservation. The less you’re in the weeds, the more headspace you have to think clearly, lead strategically, and stay inspired.

Recalibrate Your Role As You Grow

The CEO job at $1M in revenue is not the same job at $10M. But too many leaders try to hold on to the same role they had in the early days — making every decision, running every meeting, approving every invoice.

At CTS, I’ve had to evolve how I work. I’ve moved from operator to architect. From problem-solver to coach. That shift was uncomfortable, but it was necessary — both for the business and for me.

Burnout often happens when your responsibilities grow but your mindset doesn’t. The cure is evolution. Redefine your role so that it stays energizing, not draining.

Make Space for Ideas Outside the Business

One of the best things I’ve done as a long-term CEO is feed my mind with things outside of business — music, politics, sports, books. These aren’t distractions. They’re fuel.

Getting inspired by other fields sharpens your thinking, renews creativity, and reminds you that there’s more to life — and leadership — than KPIs and investor decks.

If you’re only living in spreadsheets and staff meetings, of course you’re going to burn out. Make space for curiosity. It’ll give you perspective and power your second wind.

Burnout Isn’t Inevitable — But Growth Is

I’m not here to tell you that burnout doesn’t happen. It does. But it’s not the price of ambition. It’s a warning sign that something needs to change.

If you’re a long-term CEO — or want to be — don’t ignore the signals. Protect your energy. Reconnect with your mission. Build support. And give yourself permission to evolve.

Because the best version of your leadership doesn’t just happen in the early years. Sometimes, it shows up right after your second wind kicks in.