What happens after the deal closes is the question too few founders ask. In this conversation on Your N.E.X.T., Jerome Myers sits down again with Dr. Michelle Fritsch to explore why even highly successful founders feel lost, disconnected, or unprepared after exiting their businesses. Together, they unpack the often-ignored realities of post-exit life—identity loss, health decline, strained relationships, and the myth that money alone creates fulfillment. The conversation also introduces the thinking behind the Exit Ready Summit, a boardroom-style experience designed to help founders prepare not just financially, but personally, relationally, and purposefully for life beyond the business. [00:00 – 07:00] | The Question Founders Avoid Most founders ask when to exit, not who they’ll be afterExits are transformational portals, not just transactions Identity loss is the biggest blind spot in exit planning [07:01 – 14:00] | Why Health Is the First Domino Burnout is often a biological warning, not a mindset failure Chronic stress erodes decision-making long before exits occur Founders often sacrifice sleep, recovery, and relationships to “push through” [14:01 – 21:00] | The Myth That Money Fixes Everything Financial readiness does not replace identity or purposeWealth without structure can magnify loneliness and confusion Time and talent atrophy without intentional direction [21:01 – 28:00] | The Identity Vacuum After the Exit Many founders experience cognitive fog and loss of relevance Structure disappears overnight, leaving emotional free-fall Divorce and relationship breakdowns often spike post-exit [28:01 – 35:00] | Why Purpose Cannot Be an Afterthought Exiting from a business is not the same as exiting to something meaningful Lack of purpose leads to isolation, depression, and disengagement Relationships that once defined daily life often disappear post-exit [35:01 – 42:00] | Who the Exit Ready Summit Is—and Is Not—For Designed for founders who want clarity, not just liquidity Not for those unwilling to be vulnerable or self-reflective Small, boardroom setting enables real conversations Key Quotes “Relevance is one of the first things founders quietly grieve after they exit.” - Dr. Michelle Fritsch Burnout is not a mindset problem. It’s often a biological warning sign.” - Dr. Michelle Fritsch Connect with Dr. Fritsch!Website: properlyourwellness.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michellefritsch Join industry leaders shaping the future and secure your spot at the Exit Planning Summit today! https://exitplanningsummit.com/speakers Exit Ready! A Private Boardroom Experience for Business Owners Preparing to Exit Without Regret! 👉 https://exitreadysummit.com/ 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