Aaron Houghton built and sold a tech company for $169 million before his 30th birthday. At its peak, his business was generating $50 million in recurring revenue and employing over 350 people. But behind the scenes, he was unraveling. Chronic stress and panic attacks revealed a hard truth he could no longer outrun. The version of success he was chasing was costing him his health and his peace.

In this conversation, Aaron opens up about the hidden toll of hypergrowth and the internal reckoning that followed his exit. He shares how he rebuilt his career and his sense of identity, and why he now believes peak performance has less to do with hustle and more to do with pace.

We unpack:

• The invisible pressure to always be the one with answers
• How Aaron went from constant intensity to sustainable performance
• Why the rebuild can be more powerful than the rise
• The real story behind life after a big exit
• The power of knowing your redline and honoring it

About Aaron Houghton:

Aaron Houghton built and sold multiple tech companies, pushing himself to the absolute limit. Realizing his success came with hidden costs, he turned his focus to what really matters. Building a sustainable life from the inside out. Today Aaron helps high-performing founders manage stress without losing themselves in the process. He is developing tools, mentoring entrepreneurs, and writing a book to share what he has learned. His mission is simple: stay ambitious without burning out.

Connect with Aaron:

Website: https://www.aaronhoughton.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhoughton/ 

Check out DORY where Aaron helps high-pressure leaders turn into superhuman mental athletes who survive better and never burn out. 

https://www.instagram.com/thrivewithdory 

https://www.thrivewithdory.com 

Free Optimal Pace assessment for leaders: https://entry.thrivewithdory.com/optimalpace/start