RT 10 | Howie Diamond: The Dangers of Hustle Culture
On today’s episode, we have the incredible Howie Diamond, Managing Director of Alpha Bridge Ventures, a post-seed VC fund based in San Francisco. Passionate about mental health, Howie believes in the personal and professional development of his founders, advocating for health and resiliency.
Musician-turned-investor Howie started his career playing drums in a band, signing a seven-figure deal with Sony. However, Howie was way more interested in the business and managerial aspect of the music industry. It led to his music management and licensing company, Lo-Fi Music, where he helped start-ups scale up their business.
In 2015, Howie decided to kickstart a more broad-based fund, Ranch Ventures, before co-founding Alpha Bridge Ventures. As a young man eager to make his mark in the world, Howie shares that he disregarded his health as he followed his passion at a non-stop pace. Howie got his big A-HA moment in 2016 when he suffered a massive panic attack while on a flight.
This served as a wake-up call for Howie and he was forced to reconsider his priorities. After this experience, when Howie attempted to discuss his mental health with his peers, he encountered a high order of hesitation. He also talks about his difficulties in finding good therapists or resources, and what we need to do differently in the tech world. Tune in now!
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The cost of pursuing our passions at a non-stop pace, leading to his panic attack
The pressing need for a safe space to discuss your mental health
Why real-world experience is the best way to expand your horizons
QUOTES
“I try as hard as I can, almost to an unhealthy point.”
“Things were mounting for a long time and I did not have balance in my life.”
“My RPM had been in the red for some many years and my engine just trashed.”
“Some of the worst things that have happened to you are also the best.”
“Loneliness and isolation should be considered a global health disease.”
RESOURCES