The start of 2025 was a blur of pitch decks and adrenaline.

My sole focus was securing funding. I was locked in a cycle of bi-weekly VC meetings, constant revisions, and working hours that bled into the nights and weekends. I told myself this was just "the cost of doing business."

But my body disagreed.

Despite being exhausted, I couldn't sleep. My concentration began to fracture, and my afternoon productivity fell off a cliff. Worst of all, I stopped running, which was a habit that had kept me balanced since I moved to Malaysia seven years ago.

I was securing capital for the company, but I was bankrupting my own health. Here is how I hit the wall, and the specific changes I made to rebuild my resilience.

The Wake-Up Call: Stress Eating and The "Crash"

During a trip to Japan, I underwent a health assessment specifically designed for business owners. The feedback was blunt and difficult to hear: I had poor blood circulation, limited flexibility, and high inflammation.

The culprit? My coping mechanisms.

Looking back, I realized I was unconsciously treating stress with food. My mornings started with bread; my lunches were heavy pasta; my afternoons were fueled by sweets and milk-heavy lattes. I wasn't fueling my body; I was sedating my anxiety with sugar and wheat.

The doctors challenged me: Could I change these deep-seated habits? I was skeptical, but I was also desperate for energy. So, I tried everything they suggested.

The Protocol: How I Hacked My Energy Levels

I didn't overhaul my life overnight, but I made consistent, aggressive changes to my diet:

• Dairy: Almost entirely eliminated.
• Wheat: Bread and pasta were cut drastically.
• Sugar: Reserved strictly as a "reward" after running sessions.

The results weren't just physical; they were professional. Almost immediately, the "brain fog" lifted. My sleep quality spiked. The sudden post-lunch fatigue that used to kill my 2:00 PM productivity vanished. Chronic headaches subsided.

‍I realized there is a direct correlation between what I eat and the quality of the decisions I make as a CEO.

Protecting Deep Work: The 4 A.M. Solution

In a growing company, an open office door is an invitation for interruption. I realized I couldn't do "deep work" during standard business hours.

Rather than fighting the office rhythm, I worked around it. I restructured my day to prioritize Deep Focus Blocks: either early morning sessions starting at 4:00 AM, or concentrated blocks in the evening.

Productivity isn't about working more hours; it's about aligning your hardest work with your best energy.

Running is Not a Sport. It’s a Reset.

When I first moved to Malaysia, running was about marathons and community. In 2025, I realized running serves a different purpose for me.

It is my reset button. Just like a sauna detoxes the body, running detoxes the mind. I don't run to compete anymore; I run to let stress dissipate through movement. A slow 10–20km run on the weekend has become my non-negotiable anchor.

Why Health Matters

As we head into 2026, FundingBee is entering a new phase of growth.

This journey has taught me that sustainable leadership begins with the leader. Investors aren't just betting on a business plan; they are betting on the person executing it. If I crumble, the vision crumbles.

Maintaining physical and mental resilience isn't a luxury. Iit is a fiduciary responsibility.

If you are a founder pushing through the fundraising grind, remember: you can't build a legacy if you burn out before the finish line. Take care of the asset that matters most: yourself.

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