From Start Up Burnout to Finding Balance: Ben Lee's Journey
This week's guest on #thePOZcast is Ben Lee — a seasoned entrepreneur, designer, and now, a wellness architect for the high-performing soul. Ben built his reputation scaling tech startups and leading one of LA’s fastest-growing digital agencies, rooted in innovation and hustle. But after personally confronting the burnout that often hides behind success, he made a radical shift. He stepped away from the grind to found [re:center], a creative lodge in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, designed for what he calls the reset generation — high-achievers ready to trade burnout for balance, and chaos for curation.
At re:center, Ben brings to life a new vision of success — one that prioritizes health over hustle, integration over extremes, and intentional design over distraction. His mission is clear: to create a restorative environment where ambitious people can reconnect with purpose, community, and themselves. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or a curious seeker, this conversation will challenge how you think about productivity, presence, and what it means to reset truly.
Learn More: https://recenterlife.com/
Connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/yobenlee/
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Summary
In this episode of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Ben Lee, a seasoned entrepreneur and wellness architect, who shares his journey from building a successful digital agency to confronting burnout and redefining success through wellness. Ben discusses the influence of his father's entrepreneurial spirit, the lessons learned from his experiences, and the importance of prioritizing health over hustle.
He reflects on his transformative experiences in Costa Rica and the vision behind his wellness lodge, ReCenter, which aims to help high achievers reconnect with purpose and community. In this conversation, Ben Lee and Adam Posner delve into the evolving landscape of wellness retreats, examining the delicate balance between luxury and profound personal transformation. They discuss the importance of creating unique experiences that cater to individual needs, the significance of men's work in personal development, and the challenges of navigating the wellness business in a competitive market. Ben shares personal anecdotes of transformation and emphasizes the importance of a purpose-driven approach to achieving success.
Takeaways
- Ben Lee emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health over hustle.
- His entrepreneurial journey was heavily influenced by his father's hustle.
- Gut instincts play a crucial role in decision-making for entrepreneurs.
- Burnout is often a gradual process rather than a singular event.
- Detoxing from hustle culture requires significant emotional and mental effort.
- Costa Rica served as a pivotal point for Ben's personal transformation.
- ReCenter aims to create a restorative environment for high achievers.
- The importance of community and connection in wellness.
- Ben's experiences highlight the paradox of wealth and freedom.
- The vision for ReCenter is to redefine wellness lodging. There needs to be a balance between luxury and deep personal transformation in wellness retreats.
- Nature plays a crucial role in helping individuals detox and reset their mindset.
- Personal transformation can take different lengths of time for different individuals.
- Creating unique and bespoke experiences is essential in the wellness industry.
- Men's work is a vital aspect of personal development and healing.
- Building a strong brand and experience is more important than competing on price.
- Success is about leading with purpose and heart, not just financial gain.
- The tourism market can be challenging, but innovative strategies can lead to success.
- AI is changing the coaching landscape, and adapting to it is essential.
- Personal health and well-being should be prioritized in business and life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ben Lee and His Journey
02:14 The Entrepreneurial DNA and Early Influences
07:24 Lessons from Family and the Importance of Gut Instincts
09:20 The Burnout Experience and Its Impact
15:25 Detoxing from Hustle Culture
18:45 First Encounters with Costa Rica
22:55 The Vision for ReCenter and Its Mission
30:30 Finding Balance in Wellness Retreats
31:25 Detox to Retox: The Journey of Transformation
36:05 Crafting Unique Retreat Experiences
39:40 The Power of Men's Work
42:10 Navigating Business Challenges in Wellness
50:51 Aha Moments in Entrepreneurship
52:16 Redefining Success in a Purpose-Driven World
