He Lost His Company, His Health and Almost His Life - With Declan Kluver

<p><strong>Success looked incredible from the outside.</strong></p><p>Declan Kluver was building one of Australia&#39;s fastest-growing recruitment businesses. His company was growing rapidly, the media attention was building, and the future looked limitless.</p><p>Behind the scenes, however, years of relentless pressure, chronic stress and undiagnosed bipolar disorder were taking a devastating toll.</p><p>What followed changed his life forever.</p><p>In one of the most honest conversations we&#39;ve ever recorded on <em>Founders Fire</em>, Declan shares the reality of founder burnout, the warning signs he missed, losing the business that defined his identity, surviving a suicide attempt, and why he&#39;s now dedicating his life to helping other founders protect the one asset that matters more than any business: their health.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>In This Episode:</strong></p><p><strong>00:00</strong> Why no business is worth sacrificing your health</p><p><strong>02:40</strong> The first businesses and the entrepreneurial spark</p><p><strong>10:20</strong> Building a recruitment agency from scratch</p><p><strong>18:40</strong> Creating Extra Recruiter and chasing a $100M vision</p><p><strong>24:50</strong> When success became overwhelming</p><p><strong>26:30</strong> Understanding bipolar disorder and manic episodes</p><p><strong>31:20</strong> Losing the company that became his identity</p><p><strong>33:10</strong> The warning signs before his suicide attempt</p><p><strong>36:50</strong> Learning to rebuild after surviving life-changing injuries</p><p><strong>42:20</strong> Why founder health needs to come before business success</p><p><strong>47:50</strong> The advice every founder needs to hear</p><p><strong>**Content Warning**</strong></p><p>This episode contains discussions of mental health, bipolar disorder and suicide. Please take care while listening. If this conversation raises concerns for you or someone you know, support is available.</p><p><strong>Australia</strong></p><p>• If you&#39;re in immediate danger or someone is at immediate risk, call <strong>000</strong>.</p><p>• Speak with your GP or a qualified mental health professional.</p><p>•<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com"> <u>Beyond Blue</u></a>: <strong>1300 22 4636</strong></p><p>•<a href="https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com"> <u>Suicide Call Back Service</u></a>: <strong>1300 659 467</strong></p><p>•<a href="https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com"> <u>Black Dog Institute</u></a></p><p>•<a href="https://www.headtohealth.gov.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com"> <u>Head to Health </u></a>A government service that helps connect people with the most appropriate mental health support.</p>