Founder Real Talk — Founder Mental Fitness
✨ Founder Real Talk — Founder Mental Fitness
Practical habits, systems, and rituals for founders who want to last.
📅 When: Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025
🕕 Doors: 6:00 PM — Program: 6:30–8:30 PM PT
📍 Where: Plug and Play Tech Center — Sunnyvale, CA
📣 What this is
Running a company isn’t just strategy and product — it’s a test of mental stamina. Founder Mental Fitness reframes the conversation from “mental health problems” to practical fitness: habits, systems, and team practices founders can use to preserve clarity, reduce reactive decision-making, and stay effective over the long haul.
This is hands-on, no-fluff, founder-to-founder practical advice. We’ll focus on repeatable routines, simple measurement, and low-friction supports you can implement this week.
🔎 What we’ll cover (tactical takeaways)
Daily & weekly routines founders can use to protect decision energy and focus
On-call & crisis protocols: how to manage spikes in stress without tanking the team
Micro-habits that scale (sleep, nutrition, movement, breaks, and recovery rituals) and how to actually stick to them
Hiring & role design that reduces founder burnout (what to offload first)
Practical coaching & therapy playbook: how to pick a coach/therapist, what to expect, and how to make it work with a startup schedule
Team culture moves that normalize care (1–3 simple policies that reduce stigma)
Measurement & momentum: lightweight metrics and rituals to track mental fitness over time
👥 Format
Short, moderated conversation with four on-stage guests: three founders sharing lived practice + a practical perspective from Dr. Willy Das.
Followed by audience Q&A and a small networking reception.
60–75 minutes of structured programming — tactical frameworks, concrete scripts, and micro-actions — then time to connect.
🎤 Speakers
Dr. Willy Das, Ph.D. — researcher & practitioner working at the intersection of entrepreneurship and wellbeing. Practical, evidence-informed advisor on how to translate mental-fitness science into daily routines that founders can keep.
Charlie Olson — Co-founder & CEO, Pando. Builder of teams and creator of operational routines that scale under pressure; founder experience in high-velocity environments and advising early GTM teams.
Stephen Bulfer — CEO & Co-Founder, Titanium Labs. Product-driven entrepreneur who embeds wellness into company building and founder residencies; practical operator with multiple exits.
Jona Doda - Founder @ Bliss, an online therapy platform serving underserved diaspora communities with culturally aware, language-matched care; former fintech & startup marketing leader across the UK & EMEA.
(Speaker lineup subject to final confirmation.)
💡 Who should come
Founders & co-founders who want to build durable leadership habits
Early execs and people leaders responsible for culture & retention
Investors, advisors, and board members who want actionable ways to support founders
Operators curious about practical, science-backed routines for performance and resilience
🎟 Tickets
$20 Early Bird (limited)
$30 General Admission
$35 Last Call (3 days before)
Snacks, drinks, and a small networking reception included.
🔗 Want to be considered for a founder spot?
Reply with a 2-line pitch:
Company & stage
One leadership or mental-fitness challenge you want quick, actionable help with on stage
We’ll select a few founders for short, tactical hot seats.
🧭 Presented by
Sway x Wisdom Partners x Plug and Play
Beverages provided by Pricklee