Written by:
Fi Jamieson Folland D.O., I.N.H.C. , The LifeStyle Aligner
Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O., I.N.H.C., is The LifeStyle Aligner. She’s an experienced practitioner since 1992 in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified Osteopath, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, speaker, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, personal trainer, philanthropist and Health Brand Ambassador.
Entrepreneurship is often painted as a lone wolf journey, the brave individual striking out into the unknown with nothing however vision and grit, and while that makes for a romantic story, the reality is a little messier, a little lonelier, and sometimes a lot harder on both the body and the heart than most people admit.
I’ve seen it again and again – brilliant minds with brilliant ideas who burn themselves out not because they lacked talent or passion, however because they lacked the scaffolding of support around them to carry the load when things got heavy, and believe me, things always get heavy at some point.
Why health and business need the same foundation.
When I talk about heart health, I talk about resilience, circulation, and flow and these are the very same qualities your entrepreneurial journey needs to thrive. Just as your heart doesn’t work in isolation and instead relies on a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries to deliver oxygen and nutrients to every cell, you too need a network to keep your vision alive.
Without it, stress builds up, pressure rises, and eventually the whole system starts to falter.
And here’s the truth most entrepreneurs don’t like to admit – you aren’t able to, and aren’t wise to attempt to do this all alone. The myth of self-sufficiency might sound noble, however in practice it’s exhausting, unsustainable, and damaging to your wellbeing. What you really need is a constellation of people who understand, who care, who can offer insight, encouragement, or simply a safe space to vent without judgment.
The role of connection in reducing stress.
One of the most protective factors for heart health is strong social connection, and the same holds true for entrepreneurial health. When you feel supported, your stress hormones decrease, your blood pressure steadies, and your nervous system shifts out of survival mode into a calmer, more creative space. The very act of sharing your struggles with someone who ‘gets it’ is like unclenching a fist that’s been gripping too tightly for too long and suddenly the tension eases, and you remember you’re not carrying this alone.
I’ve coached entrepreneurs who believed their worth was tied to how much they could handle solo, however when they allowed themselves to reach out, to lean on a friend, a colleague, or a mentor, not only did their stress drop – their business decisions improved, because clarity often comes in conversation, not in isolation.
Why networking matters for health as much as success.
Now, let’s talk about a word that can have some people feel uncomfortable – networking. Too often it’s associated with awkward cocktail hours or transactional LinkedIn messages, however at its best, networking is simply about building authentic human connections that support you on the path ahead. And these connections don’t just bring opportunities for growth; they literally protect your health.
Knowing you can call on someone for advice, collaboration, or encouragement means your nervous system doesn’t live in constant hyper-vigilance. Your heart gets a reprieve, your sleep improves, and your overall resilience rises. It’s not just about who you know for business deals; it’s about who you can lean on when the pressure mounts.
The power of mentorship for perspective and balance.
There’s another layer to this conversation, and that’s mentorship. A mentor can act like a lighthouse when the fog of uncertainty rolls in — someone who has navigated storms before and can remind you of the bigger picture. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched an entrepreneur breathe easier simply because a mentor reframed their challenge from ‘the end of the world’ to ‘a bump in the road.’ That shift in perspective lowers stress, lowers blood pressure, and prevents the emotional spirals that can wreak havoc on both heart and business.
And mentorship isn’t just about receiving wisdom; it’s also about being held accountable, about having someone remind you that rest is as important as hustle, that health is as vital as profit. In that sense, mentors don’t just build your business capacity, they help preserve your humanity.
Community support as a protective shield.
Finally, let’s talk about the broad net of community support, because while mentors and peers are invaluable, there’s something profoundly grounding about being part of a community that shares your values and understands your struggles. Community offers the reassurance that you’re not an outlier, that your fears and setbacks are not unique failures however part of a shared human journey.
I’ve seen communities of entrepreneurs come together to celebrate wins, brainstorm solutions, and, most importantly, remind each other to breathe. And that collective energy does more than inspire, it protects. Just like social connection lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, belonging to a community lowers the risks of burnout, depression, and isolation. It strengthens both your heart and your entrepreneurial spirit in ways that solitary grit never could.
Weaving support into your daily rhythm.
So how do you bring all this into your life in a practical way?
Start small.
Reach out to one person today you haven’t connected with in a while.
Say yes to that herbal tea with a peer who understands your challenges.
Join a group where you can both give and receive support.
And remember to check in with yourself – am I carrying too much alone, and if so, who could help lighten the load?
The truth is, asking for support is not weakness; it’s wisdom. It’s how our hearts survive, and it’s how entrepreneurs thrive.
Your health and your success are not separate tracks, they are intertwined, and the stronger your support networks, the more sustainable your journey becomes.
The bottom line.
Entrepreneurship is demanding, exhilarating, and at times overwhelming, however it doesn’t have to be lonely, and it certainly doesn’t have to cost you your health.
Just as your physical heart relies on a vast network to function, your entrepreneurial heart relies on people, mentors, peers, communities, to keep beating strong.
So build your networks with intention, lean into support with courage, and remember that your wellbeing is not a side note to your success; it’s the foundation on which lasting success is built.