Executive Burnout and How Leaders Recharge with David Ko I CEO of Calm

Executive burnout isn’t just about being tired. Executive burnout is about running your mental battery into the red while everyone else depends on you. Executive burnout is what happens when productivity becomes identity and rest feels like weakness.

In this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, Will Schneider and Jon Macaskill sit down with Calm CEO David Ko to unpack executive burnout from the inside out.

David shares what executive burnout actually looks like at the highest levels of leadership — from C-suite overwhelm to silent anxiety and the pressure of performance. He explains why 48% of executives report feeling overwhelmed and nearly half consider quitting — even when they look successful on paper.

You’ll hear:
• Why executive burnout costs organizations billions
• The “mental battery” framework and how to monitor your energy
• Why vulnerability is a leadership strength — not a liability
• The real cost of sleep deprivation in high performers
• Why checking email before bed fuels executive burnout
• How to create tech boundaries without losing productivity
• The link between mental health and physical health
• Why men struggle to talk about well-being — and how to change it

David also shares practical tools leaders can use immediately:
Water. Window. Walk.
Breath resets.
Energy-based scheduling.
Sleep discipline.

This conversation speaks directly to high achievers, entrepreneurs, executives, veterans, and driven men who feel like they can’t slow down.
If you’ve ever wondered:
Why am I exhausted even when I’m winning?
Why can’t I turn work off at night?
Why does success still feel draining?
This episode is for you.

Follow David Ko & Calm:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkocalm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ko
Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/calm
Website: https://www.calm.com/

Sponsor:
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More episodes, Resources & Spartan Race: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com
Mental fitness & coaching with Will: https://willnotfear.com
Book Jon to speak with your team: https://jonmacaskill.com

If this episode resonates, follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with one man who’s trying to hold it all together.

This episode was co-produced by Robert Lopez of www.cratesaudio.com

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