Mental Health and Entrepreneurship: How Matt Gerlach Built a 7-Figure Business Without Burnout
02/11/25 • 51 min
Many high achievers push themselves to the limit, thinking success is about hustling harder—until they hit burnout. Matt Gerlach built a thriving consulting business but found himself overwhelmed, anxious, and physically breaking down. He was working non-stop, undercharging clients, and neglecting his well-being. His wake-up call? A near breakdown that forced him to reassess everything.
In this episode, Matt shares how he went from hitting rock bottom to creating a million-dollar business that only required 15–20 hours of work per week. He dives into the power of boundaries, healing from past trauma, and designing a work-optional lifestyle.
Key Takeaways:
• The Cost of Success Without Boundaries: Matt shares how his early business struggles led to severe stress, hospitalization, and anxiety—until he finally prioritized his health.
• Scaling Without Burnout: Learn how Matt built a million-dollar business while cutting his workload to just 15–20 hours per week.
• Healing from Trauma to Unlock Success: Discover how childhood experiences shaped Matt’s work habits and why addressing past wounds led to a breakthrough in his business and life.
• The Power of Saying No: Matt explains why setting boundaries with clients helped him attract better opportunities and boost his income.
• Designing a Purpose-Driven Business: Find out how Matt transitioned from consulting to coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs to create fulfilling, freedom-based businesses.
About the Guest:
Matt Gerlach is a transformational coach, entrepreneur, and storyteller redefining success beyond the hustle. After two decades of high-level corporate and consulting success—helping companies scale to 8, 9, and even 10 figures—he realized that external achievements alone weren’t enough. Walking away from a million-dollar-a-year business, Matt set out to create a life of true financial abundance, deep personal fulfillment, and absolute alignment.
His philosophy, At Home with Matt, is more than a mindset—it’s a lifestyle. Through immersive coaching experiences, intimate gatherings, and hands-on cooking in his Hancock Park home, he helps high achievers slow down, reconnect, and transform—not just through conversation, but through shared experiences. Whether cooking alongside him or simply enjoying a home-cooked meal, clients gain clarity on their vision, challenges, and the life they’re ready to step into.
Matt shares his journey on YouTube and Substack, blending personal transformation with the art of creating a home that feels as beautiful as it looks. Through coaching, storytelling, and culinary experiences, he leads a movement of high performers redefining success—not by chasing the next goal, but by cultivating a life that is rich, slow, and deeply aligned.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gerlach/
https://www.instagram.com/iammattgerlach/
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Start coaching immediately, putting himself out there to build relationships and offer value.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Not taking time to deeply understand himself early on, leading to misaligned career choices.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy—on thinking bigger and eliminating distractions.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Journaling—his go-to method for clarity, goal-setting, and problem-solving.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Spending time doing what he loves, while maintaining control over his schedule and priorities.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect ...
Many high achievers push themselves to the limit, thinking success is about hustling harder—until they hit burnout. Matt Gerlach built a thriving consulting business but found himself overwhelmed, anxious, and physically breaking down. He was working non-stop, undercharging clients, and neglecting his well-being. His wake-up call? A near breakdown that forced him to reassess everything.
In this episode, Matt shares how he went from hitting rock bottom to creating a million-dollar business that only required 15–20 hours of work per week. He dives into the power of boundaries, healing from past trauma, and designing a work-optional lifestyle.
Key Takeaways:
• The Cost of Success Without Boundaries: Matt shares how his early business struggles led to severe stress, hospitalization, and anxiety—until he finally prioritized his health.
• Scaling Without Burnout: Learn how Matt built a million-dollar business while cutting his workload to just 15–20 hours per week.
• Healing from Trauma to Unlock Success: Discover how childhood experiences shaped Matt’s work habits and why addressing past wounds led to a breakthrough in his business and life.
• The Power of Saying No: Matt explains why setting boundaries with clients helped him attract better opportunities and boost his income.
• Designing a Purpose-Driven Business: Find out how Matt transitioned from consulting to coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs to create fulfilling, freedom-based businesses.
About the Guest:
Matt Gerlach is a transformational coach, entrepreneur, and storyteller redefining success beyond the hustle. After two decades of high-level corporate and consulting success—helping companies scale to 8, 9, and even 10 figures—he realized that external achievements alone weren’t enough. Walking away from a million-dollar-a-year business, Matt set out to create a life of true financial abundance, deep personal fulfillment, and absolute alignment.
His philosophy, At Home with Matt, is more than a mindset—it’s a lifestyle. Through immersive coaching experiences, intimate gatherings, and hands-on cooking in his Hancock Park home, he helps high achievers slow down, reconnect, and transform—not just through conversation, but through shared experiences. Whether cooking alongside him or simply enjoying a home-cooked meal, clients gain clarity on their vision, challenges, and the life they’re ready to step into.
Matt shares his journey on YouTube and Substack, blending personal transformation with the art of creating a home that feels as beautiful as it looks. Through coaching, storytelling, and culinary experiences, he leads a movement of high performers redefining success—not by chasing the next goal, but by cultivating a life that is rich, slow, and deeply aligned.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gerlach/
https://www.instagram.com/iammattgerlach/
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Start coaching immediately, putting himself out there to build relationships and offer value.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Not taking time to deeply understand himself early on, leading to misaligned career choices.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy—on thinking bigger and eliminating distractions.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Journaling—his go-to method for clarity, goal-setting, and problem-solving.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Spending time doing what he loves, while maintaining control over his schedule and priorities.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect ...
Previous Episode
From 42 Jobs to Copywriting Success: Emily Aborn’s Journey to Entrepreneurial Freedom
Many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle to find their true passion and often end up in careers that drain them rather than fulfill them. Emily Aborn knows this struggle all too well—after working 42 different jobs and even running her own retail business, she realized she was still stuck in a business she didn't love. The fear of change kept her trapped until she made the leap into copywriting, a passion she had unknowingly cultivated for years.
In this episode, Emily shares how she transitioned from running a retail shop to becoming a sought-after copywriter. She breaks down the importance of storytelling, relationship-building, and aligning business with personal passion. Whether you're a freelancer, business owner, or creative professional, Emily’s insights will help you navigate your own path to freedom.
Key Takeaways:
• From 42 Jobs to Entrepreneurship: Emily’s journey from working multiple jobs to finally building a business she loves.
• Lessons from a Failed Business: How recognizing the signs of industry decline helped Emily pivot before it was too late.
• Finding Your True Niche: Why Emily decided to focus exclusively on copywriting and how she overcame imposter syndrome.
• The Power of Storytelling in Business: How writing compelling content can help businesses connect with their audience and grow.
• Building a Brand with Consistency: Why messaging across websites, social media, and email marketing should align with your unique voice.
About the Guest:
Emily Aborn is a Content Writer and Owner/Founder of the women’s entrepreneurship community, She Built This. She lives in Temple, NH with her husband, Jason, and their nine-year-old snuggle-loving dog, Clyde. She enjoys hiking, reading, being a Jeopardy contestant from her couch, and writing.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/emilyaborn/
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “ Start a professional organizing business—minimal startup costs, high demand, and immediate cash flow potential.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Listening to too many outside opinions instead of trusting her own instincts when making business decisions.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Stories That Stick by Kendra Hall—teaches entrepreneurs how to craft powerful, memorable brand stories.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “PodMatch—an incredible platform for connecting with podcast hosts and finding the right audience for your message.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Having the ability to structure her days how she wants, balancing work with life’s little joys—like playing cards and doing puzzles with her husband.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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Building a Meditation App with AI: How Walker Ferguson Turned Stress Into a Startup
Mental health struggles and performance anxiety are common, especially for student-athletes juggling academics, sports, and personal challenges. Walker Ferguson knows this firsthand. As a football player at Wake Forest University, he faced anxiety and performance pressure. Traditional meditation apps didn’t resonate with him, leaving him searching for a more personalized solution.
In this episode, Walker shares how he co-founded Ascend Meditations, an AI-driven app that creates custom meditations on demand. Discover how Walker bootstrapped his business while in college, built a team of tech innovators, and developed a tool that empowers users to manage stress and visualize success.
Key Takeaways:
• The Birth of Ascend Meditations: Walker explains how his own struggles with stress inspired the creation of an app that generates personalized meditations within seconds.
• The Power of Visualization: Learn how athletes can use the app to set goals, break them into actionable steps, and mentally prepare for peak performance.
• Bootstrapping as a Growth Strategy: Discover why Walker and his team resisted early investment offers to build a solid foundation before raising funds.
• AI and Mental Health Innovation: Explore how Ascend Meditations leverages AI technology to deliver guided meditations, sleep stories, and mindfulness plans tailored to individual needs.
• Lessons in Teamwork: Walker shares how his athletic background taught him the importance of surrounding himself with the right people—a principle that helped him grow his startup.
About the Guest:
Walker Ferguson is the President of Ascend Meditations, an AI-powered app designed to enhance performance and well-being for high achievers, especially student-athletes. A former Wake Forest football Safety, Walker leveraged his experience in sports, business, and technology to create meditation tools that help users reduce stress, sharpen focus, and build confidence.
Currently a senior at Wake Forest University, pursuing a degree in Economics with a minor in Communications, Walker is committed to making mental preparation as essential as physical training, helping athletes and high performers visualize success and stay motivated.
Links:
https://ascendmeditations.app/
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Lock himself in a room with his co-founder Hampton Tanner and brainstorm their next venture.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Hiring the wrong people early on—emphasizing the importance of finding team members who align with company values.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “ChatGPT—Walker uses AI tools to streamline tasks, improve marketing copy, and boost operational efficiency.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Doing what he wants, when he wants, with the people he loves—living life on his own terms without external constraints.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...
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