Can you build a great business and a great life?
This post is for midlife awakening men: the high achievers who look successful but feel empty inside.
You can have the business, the house, the watch, the respect-and still feel hollow. You smile for the photo, then stare at the ceiling at 2 a.m., asking, “Is this it?” If that hits a nerve, good. You’re not broken. You’re waking up.
This isn’t about shaming success. Build your empire. Just don’t lose yourself while you’re doing it. The Foundry exists because too many men are winning on paper and bleeding out in private. That stops here.
What is the midlife awakening men face at 40+?
Let’s drop the caricature. It’s not a red sports car problem. For most men, it’s an awakening: everything you were told would deliver-didn’t. You checked the boxes, yet something inside still feels off. That feeling isn’t a flaw; it’s data. It’s your life tapping you on the shoulder saying, “Time to choose differently.”
As Entrepreneur points out, midlife awakening men don’t have to see this season as a breakdown. It can be a crossroads, a choice to evolve and create a life that finally aligns with what matters most (Entrepreneur).”
Bottom line: It’s a crossroads, not a collapse.
Why do successful entrepreneurs still feel empty?
Because achievement can’t carry what identity should. You’ve been the provider, protector, rainmaker-great. But if your worth is tied to the next win, the quiet moments will eat you alive. Add the “I’m fine” mask, and you’re left with distance at home, a body you ignore, friendships that never go past headlines, and a low-grade ache you can’t outperform.
Tell the truth: You’ve learned how to build value. Now it’s time to build a life you actually want to live in.
Why do men struggle in silence?
Social conditioning. We’re taught to grind, numb, and keep moving. We talk business, sports, and headlines. Rarely fear, shame, or marriage. Alone in a crowd. Surrounded by bros, starving for brotherhood.
Silence breeds shame. Shame keeps you silent. That loop is killing men. Breaking it starts with one honest conversation in the right room.
What does real brotherhood look like?
Not tailgates and small talk but accountability and care. A place where men tell the truth, get called higher, and aren’t judged for being human. Sometimes you’re the one on the anvil. Sometimes you’re the hammer. Always, you’re in the fire together. No costumes. No posturing. Just men doing the work.
Translation: Stop pretending. Start rebuilding.
Can you rebuild your life without burning down your business?
Yes. This is not either/or. It’s both/and, with better choices and better support.
As Forbes notes, the smartest move for midlife awakening men isn’t doubling down on hustle culture but embracing what they call a ‘wisdom culture,’ where your energy fuels purpose instead of burnout (Forbes).”
The midlife awakening men face at 40+ looks like this:
- Redefine “win.” Move from more to what matters.
- Protect the vital few. Calendar, family, health, and deep work, such as revenue.
- Build emotional muscle. Learn to notice, name, and navigate your state before it hijacks you.
- Invite feedback. Let trusted men audit your blind spots.
- Set rhythms that stick. Weekly check-ins, honest metrics (not just financials), and one conversation you don’t want to have, but need to.
Who is The Foundry for?
Men 40+ who’ve built something real, and sense there’s more to build inside the walls. Founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to stop white-knuckling their image and do the deeper work: living well, loving well, being well, and serving well. If you’re in the “curious but cautious” camp, you’re welcome. If you’re “I’m all in,” you’re home.
Ready when you are
You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re successful on paper and restless in your soul, take the first step.
Check out The Foundry, a brotherhood for high-achieving men who are done pretending and ready to live fully.
→ foundry4men.com
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is this therapy?
A: No. It’s a community of driven men focused on honest conversation, practical tools, and real accountability. Therapy can complement the work—we’re pro-help.
Q: I tried opening up before and got burned. Why would this be different?
A: No guarantees. There never are. What we can promise is a culture of truth and care led by men who go first, tell the truth, and protect the room.
Q: I’m not in Ottawa. Can I still join?
A: Yes. We’re building for men globally with digital experiences plus selective in-person gatherings.
Q: How much time does this take?
A: Start small: read, listen, join a call, meet a few men. The right next step is the one you’ll actually take.
Eric Deschamps
Creator of The Foundry and Master Coach at rhapsodystrategies.com
Eric Deschamps helps high-performing men rebuild their lives from the inside out. The Foundry isn’t for every man. It’s for the ones ready to get honest, go deep, and do the work. If that’s you, join us here.