You built it. You exited. Now what?

In this raw and revelatory solo episode, Jerome Myers introduces the Founder’s Trauma Tree:  a framework that exposes the emotional crash most Apex performers aren’t prepared for after the exit.

Through the real-life story of James, a founder who spiraled into anxiety six months after his 8-figure win, Jerome reveals why success doesn't silence inner wounds; it amplifies them. And more importantly, how you can begin to heal.

There’s a story beneath your success:  one about pressure, pain, and the parts of you that never got to breathe. This is where healing begins.

Success checked every box, but something still feels off? This is the conversation that explains why.

[00:00 – 04:30] When Success Feels Like Collapse

The post-exit silence no one prepares you for

Why founders often mistake trauma symptoms for personality

Introducing the Founder’s Exit Paradox

[04:31 – 08:00] The Founder’s Trauma Tree

PTSD, anxiety, addiction: what lies beneath these symptoms

A visual model of the emotional fallout after high achievement

Why does unprocessed pain surface only after the pressure lifts

[08:01 – 10:30] Coping or Healing?

The 4 escape strategies: busyness, deal-chasing, giving, isolation

Why these distractions work—until they don’t

The lie of high performance as emotional wellness

[10:31 – 14:30] Growing the Healing Tree

What emotional integration means post-exit

From numbness to nourishment: James’ healing journey

How to grow peace, purpose, and legacy from the inside out

[14:31 – End] Beyond the Paradox

The 6 Centers of Doubt: self-image, relationships, work, health, prosperity, significance

From survival mode to alignment

An invitation to stop pretending and start becoming

Key Quotes:

“What you’re feeling isn’t failure, it’s feedback.” – Jerome Myers

“Your identity is not your title. Your value is not your valuation. Your worth was never up for negotiation.” – Jerome Myers

Ready for your next chapter?

Start Your Assessment Now 👉 https://theexitparadox.com/assessment

Leave a Review + Help Others Achieve a Great Legacy

If you found this episode valuable, leave us a review and share it with someone who wants to expand their business growth.

Your Next is more than a podcast—it’s a community that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and ages, united by a shared passion for personal growth and achieving excellence. 

🎧 Explore our previous episodes or learn more about our mission at https://exittoexcellence.com. Your next chapter starts here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices