The Secret to Thriving Under Pressure: Pillar 3 of Radical Resilience
Today, we’re unpacking Pillar 3—and sharing the story of someone who desperately needed it.
Meet “Bud” – A Brilliant, Burnt-Out Billion-Dollar Executive
A few years ago, Bud (name changed for privacy) reached out for help.
By all accounts, Bud is a financial rockstar. He had helped guide four startups to unicorn status ($1 billion+ valuation). But behind that success was a dangerous pattern: workaholism, chronic stress, and physical collapse.
Bud had battled hypertension, chronic fatigue, and even shingles—all caused by pushing himself too far. He believed resilience meant “powering through,” but in truth, he was wearing his mind and body down.
Understanding the Hidden Threat: Allostatic Load
What Bud didn’t realize was that he was overwhelmed by allostatic load—the wear and tear on the body and mind due to chronic stress. It’s the unseen tax we pay when we push past our limits without recovering.
When you ignore the signs your body is sending, you're not being resilient—you’re heading toward a breakdown.
The Radical Resilience Shift
We worked with Bud to optimize his physiology and help him listen to what his body and mind were telling him. Instead of relying on willpower, he learned to build a biology of resilience by:
Prioritizing recovery: Regular sleep, exercise, and clean nutrition.
Mastering active recovery tools: Breathing exercises, affirmations, mindfulness, and meditation—customized to his personality and lifestyle.
Managing stress hormones: Learning to neutralize cortisol and adrenaline and activate healing neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and GABA.
The results were transformational.
The Breakthrough: From Burnout to Breakthrough
Bud realized he didn’t have to say yes to everything. He stopped taking on unnecessary stress and instead focused on the work that energized him.
His biggest discovery? He loved mentoring and leading others. So, he built a team of consultants, delegated more, and scaled his impact. As a result:
He became healthier and happier.
He started earning more while working smarter.
He finally gave himself permission to travel the world and enjoy life.
Bud didn’t just bounce back—he leveled up. That’s the power of aligning your physiology with your True North.
Resilience Isn’t About Grit Alone—It’s About Strategy
When you learn how to manage your stress responses and optimize your biology, you don’t have to trade health for success. You get both.
Bud is now thriving—and so can you.
If you’re stuck in a cycle of burnout, stress, or exhaustion, True North Radical Resilience—and especially Pillar 3—is your way out.
Ready to Reclaim Your Energy and Focus?
If this message resonates with you, reply with “Help me with Pillar 3”, and either I or a member of my amazing team will reach out.
Let’s help you become the most resilient person in the room—without working yourself sick.
In your corner,
– Dr. Andy