Burnout is normalized. Productivity is glorified. And many high-functioning people are quietly exhausted, doing all the “right” things while sensing something is off.
In this episode of The Tessa Tubbs Podcast, Tessa sits down with Adam Tanaka: founder, serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and a vocal challenger of burnout culture who helps leaders rediscover unstructured play as a catalyst for creativity, collaboration, and mental wellbeing.
After building and selling his first company after 17 years, Adam expected celebration, but instead found himself pulled back into the same overwork rhythm. What followed became a defining reset: a mirror from his partner, a trip to Iceland, and a moment of breaking down in a rental car surrounded by breathtaking beauty, realizing he was losing his sense of self.
Together, Tessa and Adam explore:
The identity trap of “Founder Adam” and the journey back to Kid Adam: adventure, freedom, creativity
Why the path to thriving as an adult sometimes starts by reconnecting with who you were as a kid
How to stop waiting for permission or validation and make choices from agency instead
The daily “Take Five” practice: five minutes of play with no end result, just nervous-system relief and reset
Why environment matters, and what it looks like to choose a new season (including Adam’s move from Nashville to Asheville)
This episode is an invitation to slow down long enough to notice what’s asking for your attention, name one truth you’ve been avoiding, and take one small step toward a life built with intention instead of autopilot.
🔗 Connect with Adam
Website: https://adamtanaka.com
Kids brand: https://cavehousesupply.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtanaka/
Instagram: @adamtanaka
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