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Andy Johns is a former tech exec and VC who had a successful run at several startups—including Facebook, Twitter, Wealthfront, and Quora—but left it all behind a few years ago to take a new direction in life. Now a mental health advocate, he aids military veterans with PTSD, guides burnt-out high achievers to new paths, and shares his healing journey from childhood trauma and mental illness through his newsletter, Clues Dot Life. In this episode, we discuss:
• Why Andy left his seven-figure VC career behind
• The four-step process of deep personal transformation
• When suffering is necessary vs. unnecessary
• Tips for finding a good therapist
• How a writing practice can help you heal
• When you’re in need of radical transformation
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Find the transcript for this episode and all past episodes at: https://www.lennyspodcast.com/episodes/. Today’s transcript will be live by 8 a.m. PT.
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Where to find Andy Johns:
• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/cluesdotlife
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjohns/
• Website: https://www.clues.life/
• Newsletter: https://andyjohns.substack.com/
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Where to find Lenny:
• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com
• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lennysan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/
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In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Andy’s background
(04:45) His personal burnout story
(12:55) The high incidence of mental health struggles in tech
(14:41) Why Andy walked away from a seven-figure VC job
(20:29) His work in mental health advocacy
(23:32) The four-step process of deep personal transformation
(31:40) The ego’s involvement
(33:23) Necessary vs. unnecessary suffering
(37:01) First steps in understanding your suffering
(38:59) Advice on finding a therapist
(42:11) How a writing practice can help you heal
(43:47) Two methods for writing to gain self-understanding
(47:47) Signs you’re dealing with more than just typical job stress
(52:22) How to move into a place of self-compassion
(57:16) The unpredictable timeline of healing
(59:59) How to develop compassion for others
(1:02:19) Why not everyone needs a radical transformation
(1:04:10) The story of Pema Chodron’s transformation
(1:06:06) What holds people back from making changes
(1:13:29) Finding your own unique path to healing
(1:17:32) Andy’s closing message to anyone feeling pulled toward a new chapter
(1:18:59) How Andy is doing now
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Referenced:
• How to know when to stop: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-know-when-to-stop
• Heroic Hearts Project: https://heroicheartsproject.org/
• Panic attacks and panic disorder: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4451-panic-attack-panic-disorder
• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748
• Vipassana meditation: https://www.dhamma.org/en/index
• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808
• Moby Dick: https://www.amazon.com/Moby-Dick-Herman-Melville/dp/1503280780
• When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times: https://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Fall-Apart-Difficult/dp/1611803438
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.
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Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.