125 — Don’t Build a Business You’re Too Broken to Enjoy
In this solo episode, Sean unpacks a brutally honest reflection on longevity, fitness, and why Founders can’t afford to ignore their physical health if they want to enjoy the success they’re building.
In this ScaleHQ episode, Sean flips the script, but this time focusing not on scaling your business, but on preparing your body to enjoy the wealth and freedom you're working so hard to create.
Drawing on insights from Dr. Peter Attia and personal wake-up calls, Sean outlines why health is the one thing Founders can’t delegate, and the measurable benchmarks we all need to hit if we want to live long, strong, and independently.
If you're a Founder in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.
Key Takeaways:
- Fitness for 80 starts now: If you want to lift your grandkids, walk all day on holidays, or travel freely into your 80s and 90s, the work starts in your 40s and 50s not later.
- The centenarian decathlon: Inspired by Dr. Peter Attia, Sean introduces a framework for reverse-engineering your physical goals in later life and training for them today.
- Longevity metrics that matter: VO2 max, grip strength, deadlifts, planks, and flexibility aren’t just gym stats; they’re predictors of lifespan and independence.
- The Founder fallacy: Many Founders delay health for “after the exit.” Sean shares why this mindset can lead to a life you can’t fully enjoy and what to do instead.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Sean's not a startup guy. He is an expert in buying, building, and scaling businesses.
With his teams, he developed growth strategies and execution plans that led to the creation of over $100 million in new revenue for 4 companies over 8 years.
These companies included both large and small businesses, so Sean is uniquely positioned to understand the challenges Founders face at different stages of their scaling journey.
Sean now shares his methodology and frameworks for preparing for investment, installing management and full exits for 1m-30m businesses through his advisory services, podcasts and education programs.
The Founders Sean mentors personally grow revenue by an average of $3.1m and EBITDA by $488k over the first two years.
He brings over 15 years of experience in growing businesses to the table. He’s integrated 7 brands into larger structures, scrutinised over 200 acquisitions, and consulted with ASX-listed companies on their acquisition strategies.
Sean is also the host of the ScaleHQ Podcast where he shares his methods, interviews successful entrepreneurs, experts on scaling, and Founders striving to scale.
About Sean Steele
Sean has led several education businesses through various growth stages including 0-3m, 1-6m, 3-50m and 80m-120m. He's evaluated over 200 M&A deals and integrated or started 7 brands within larger structures since 2012. Sean's experience in building the foundations of organisations to enable scale uniquely positions him to host the ScaleUps podcast.
