How The CEO of Reforge Survived Burnout - And Came Back Stronger
Brian Balfour’s advice for navigating burnout and building resilience
Hey 👋 I’m Andrew Capland and welcome to Delivering Value - the newsletter and podcast where I have candid conversation with senior SaaS Leaders about the toughest moments that almost derailed their careers - and instead became part of their success story. You get to learn from their mistakes - without the pain.
“One day I woke up and couldn’t bring myself to sit in front of the computer. It’s hard to explain until you experience it. But I told my wife, ‘I feel broken.’”
That’s how Brian Balfour, CEO of Reforge, described one of the hardest moments of his career.
Burnout is a reality for many leaders, but few have the courage to talk about it so openly.
Instead of letting this moment define him, Brian took time off, reset his priorities (and his health), and found a way forward.
Below we’ll explore:
The early signs of burnout that most people miss.
How vulnerability can deepen relationships and build resilience.
Bouncing back from career lows without losing yourself in the process.
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From Catering to Growth Leadership
Today, Brian leads Reforge, the go-to platform for growth education, trusted by product-led teams and SaaS leaders. Reforge serves the SaaS community worldwide with actionable programs and tools - and just recently announced their new Insight Analytics Product.
But Brian’s entrepreneurial journey started fairly humbly, helping his uncle run a catering business in college.
That experience shaped him. Watching his uncle build something he was passionate about planted the seed for Brian to start his own businesses later.
“I wouldn’t have taken the leap without my uncle’s encouragement and help,” Brian shared.
From there, he built his early career at companies like ZoomInfo, Viximo, Boundless Learning, and eventually HubSpot, where he gained hands-on experience scaling teams and solving complex growth challenges.
But like any journey, it wasn’t linear.
He hit roadblocks, questioned his abilities, and felt the weight of high-stakes leadership - especially the burnout he talked about openly in our conversation.
His story is a reminder that even the best leaders struggle, and those tough moments are what make them stronger.
The Road to Burnout
In Reforge’s early days, Brian was hands-on, growing it from a single cohort in 2015 that he personally taught (and I was a student) into the go-to resource for tech leaders.
From the outside, it looked like a huge success. On the inside, the pressure to keep growing never let up. And like any business, they faced their share of challenges.
“We were navigating rough waters during the tech downturn,” he shared.
“We placed some bets - they worked, but not enough. And I knew another hard change was ahead.”
At the same time, Brian was having some health issues. “I had been diagnosed with a couple of sleep disorders and wasn’t sleeping well.”
Then one morning, everything came to a head.
The Breaking Point
One morning, Brian woke up and couldn’t do it. Even the thought of opening his laptop felt like too much.
“It’s hard to explain until you experience something like this,” he said. “But I felt like something broke.”
Instead of pushing through, he made the hardest decision of all - he stepped away (and completely disconnected).
The Reset: Rebuilding with Intention
“I deleted Slack, email, and every other work app from my phone,” he shared. “And I didn’t check in once.”
For the first time in years, work wasn’t the main outlet for his focus and energy. He channeled it into something different - himself. He trained for high-intensity HYROX races, prioritized sleep, tracked his health with wearables, and spent more time outdoors.
It was a full reset. One he didn’t realize he needed until he took it.
The same drive that once fueled his work was now focused on something deeper: restoring himself. These new routines became his anchors, helping him rebuild physically and emotionally.
“The time off gave me clarity,” Brian said. “I realized satisfaction doesn’t come from achieving goals but from channeling my energy into meaningful pursuits.”
When he returned to Reforge, he wasn’t just back - he was different. He led with more purpose, more intention, and a clearer vision of what truly mattered.
5 Lessons for Leaders Facing Burnout
If you’re a leader or professional navigating similar challenges today, here’s 5 takeaways from his story:
Spot Burnout Early:
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight - it usually creeps up slowly. Look for warning signs like exhaustion, frustration, or dreading work. Ask yourself:
Am I losing interest in the work I usually enjoy?
Am I avoiding tasks or people?
Catching it early helps you make small changes before it gets worse.
Take a Real Break:
A quick break won’t fix burnout. Stop working, even if it feels hard. Rest, move your body, and clear your head. You need the time to reset, don’t ignore it.
Being Honest Makes You Stronger
Many leaders hide their struggles, but being open builds trust. Start small, talk to someone you trust.
Try saying: “I’m struggling with [X] and could use your perspective.”
When your honest about your struggles, it encourages others to do the same.Build Resilience With Small Habits:
Simple daily habits make a big difference:
Exercise to release stress.
Journal to clear your mind.
Create a work-to-life transition: take a short walk, pause for a moment, or close your home office door when you're done.
Find “Sparring Partners”:
Surround yourself with peers who get your struggles and give honest feedback. “These relationships are invaluable,” Brian shared. They’re not just for advice, they help you get unstuck and remind you that you’re not alone.
Watch Brian’s Entire Story on YouTube:
Or listen on Spotify:
Final Thought
Brian summed it up best:
"It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the perfect plan or piece of advice will help you get unstuck and solve your problems. But the real progress comes from ‘doing’ your way out of a problem. Do the work. Try new things. Be okay if they don’t work out."
Such a good success story 🙌