#121 Chief Burnout Officer Michael Levitt: How Surviving a Heart Attack Changed His Approach to Life and Tech

Imagine losing your job, your car, your home—and on top of it all, surviving a heart attack. That was Michael Levitt’s reality more than ten years ago, caused by the silent epidemic of burnout. Now, as the Chief Burnout Officer and Founder of Breakfast Leadership Network, Michael has transformed his life’s biggest challenges into a mission to help others. With a career spanning accounting, finance, IT, healthcare, and more, he’s authored Burnout Proof and hosts a Top 200 podcast, sharing strategies for navigating stress in work and life. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Turning Pain into Purpose “Burnout gave me the business idea I never wanted but absolutely needed. Now, I help others dodge the burnout bullet. It’s fulfilling work, though I wouldn’t mind a world where burnout is just a myth.” Reboot, Don’t Overhaul “Burnout recovery doesn’t require burning your whole life down. Most people don’t need a dramatic reinvention—they just need a couple of tweaks. Think of it as upgrading your OS, not switching to a whole new system.” Secrets of the C-Suite “Burnout among executives is a taboo topic. Publicly traded CEOs can’t just say, ‘I’m burnt out,’ without sending their stock into a tailspin. My job? Help them recover in secret, like the James Bond of workplace wellness.” Sleep: The Real Magic Pill “Forget apps and quick fixes—good sleep is the ultimate burnout buster. Invest in a killer mattress, toss your phone out of the bedroom, and let your body do its thing. Pro tip: A real alarm clock beats your buzzing smartphone every time.” Food Matters (And Yes, That Includes the Red Page) “Turns out, your body might hate your favorite foods. A food intolerance test revealed my love for certain snacks wasn’t mutual. Now, I dodge the red-listed foods like a ninja and feel way better for it.” _________________________ Connect with Us: Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Michael Levitt ______________________ -- Chief Change Officer -- Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself. Open a World of Deep Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives, Visionary Underdogs, Transformation Gurus & Bold Hearts. 6 Million+ All-Time Downloads. Reaching 80+ Countries Daily. Global Top 3% Podcast. Top 10 US Business. Top 1 US Careers. >>> 100,000+ subscribers are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< --Chief Change Officer-- Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself. Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence for Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep, Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts. EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. 20 Million+ All-Time Downloads. 80+ Countries Reached Daily. Global Top 1% Podcast. Top 5 US Business. Top 1 US Careers. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<