The Econa Resource Library

Psychiatrist Michael Freeman MD discusses entrepreneur mental health differences that affect business growth, for better and for worse.

This episode features Dr. Michael Freeman: a psychiatrist, entrepreneurship researcher, integrated behavioral healthcare systems consultant. His groundbreaking work has forever changed our understanding of the entrepreneurial mind, and has been featured in a range of high-profile publications. As an entrepreneur and former CEO who was trained in psychology, biological psychiatry, health policy, business and public health, Dr. Freeman brings medical, psychological, strategic and operational competencies to his medical and entrepreneurial consulting practices.

In this conversation, Dr. Michael A. Freeman discusses the unique vulnerabilities faced by entrepreneurs, highlighting the mental health challenges they encounter and the systemic issues that contribute to their well-being. He emphasizes the need for a public health approach to address these challenges, the impact of founder well-being on broader economic systems and the role of investors in supporting mental health initiatives. The discussion also touches on the connection between mental and physical health, the neurodiversity of entrepreneurs and the importance of community alongside support systems.

Dr. Freeman explores the distinctive traits that make founders exceptional: drive, optimism, creativity, risk tolerance and persistence. But those same strengths can also become liabilities when they tip into overwork, isolation, overconfidence, burnout or an identity that is inseparable from the business. Mental health and wellbeing are not peripheral “self-care” concerns. They are part of a company’s essential infrastructure, alongside financial controls, leadership capability and operational discipline. We also discuss the Entrepreneur Wellbeing Check, Econa’s emerging safety-net approach for founders, and why building a good business must also mean building a business that is good for the person leading it.

In this lively conversation, we get real about what makes entrepreneurs with ADHD different—and what it takes to turn those differences into undeniable strengths instead of exhausting liabilities.

Entrepreneurs are often celebrated for their passion, grit, and bold risk-taking—but what toll does that take on their mental health? In this LinkedIn Live, we dive into the psychological landscape of entrepreneurship, exploring how traits that fuel success can also open the door to burnout, anxiety, and deeper mental health struggles. We’ll unpack both the science and the stories—combining expert insights with lived experience to create a powerful conversation.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s an emotional rollercoaster. The Business of Us dives into the mental health realities of entrepreneurs, exploring how pre-existing conditions can be exacerbated and, in some cases, entirely induced by the high-stakes world of business ownership. With 38% of entrepreneurs facing at least one mental health condition, we examine the personality traits that make founders thrive—and the emotional labor that comes with it. From the isolation and sleepless nights to the drive for achievement, we’ll unpack how business owners can protect their well-being without sacrificing their ambition.

What if the traits that trip you up at work are the same ones that make you exceptional? In this episode, psychiatrist, researcher, and entrepreneur Dr. Michael Freeman is back to share the strengths and risks of neurodivergent leaders. We talk about his latest research on founder mental health, why ADHD, bipolar spectrum, and dyslexia show up so often in high performers, and how to design work so your superpowers lead and your vulnerabilities don’t derail you. Tune in to learn how to spot when a strength becomes “too much” and why AI may give divergent thinkers an unexpected edge.

Interview with Dr. Michael Freeman, Psychiatrist for Founders, Serial Entrepreneur, and Annie Marsolais, BDC Chief Marketing Officer.

Welcome to this enlightening series on Founder Mental Health and Wellbeing, hosted by Dr. Mary Meduna Gross. In this episode, we kick off the series with a profound conversation featuring Dr. Michael Freeman, a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCSF, practicing psychiatrist, and executive coach for entrepreneurs. Dr. Freeman explains the critical importance of founder mental health, discusses the unique mental health challenges faced by entrepreneurs such as stress, burnout, and ADHD, and shares insights from his research, including the startling statistic that around 40% of entrepreneurs have diagnosable mental health conditions. He emphasizes the need for destigmatization and evidence-based mental health care. The discussion also highlights the superpowers and vulnerabilities of entrepreneurs and underscores the necessity of proactive mental health practices. This episode is packed with valuable information for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in the mental health and wellbeing of business founders.

Founders have long been hailed for their ability to withstand intense periods of stress, uncertainty, and pressure. Following a global pandemic, rapidly changing funding environments, and the pressures of remote work, founders continue to push their limits, leading to increased stress, decreased balance, and burnout. In this Flourish Conversation, Flourish's Head of Human Capital Lisa Mikkelsen speaks with Michael A. Freeman, MD, founder, and CEO of Econa, the global center of excellence for entrepreneur resilience, wellbeing and mental health, to learn more about the relationship between venture-backed founders and mental health. They explore the unique ways entrepreneurs contribute to the knowledge economy and how investors can positively impact mental wellbeing.

Michael Freeman is a psychiatrist and professor looking to better understand and better support the mental health of entrepreneurs. A fourth-generation entrepreneur himself, he’s done research that looks at the higher rates of things like ADHD, depression, and substance abuse in this group of people. He looks at the idea of whether these kinds of thinkers are “touched by fire,” and the unique relationship between how our dopamine receptor genes may influence our desire to be entrepreneurs. Freeman is also a founder of the wellness center ECONA.

The entrepreneurial journey can be tough. And founders know this. But that doesn’t mean that they’re doing all they can in order to cultivate resilience. In fact, this is a part of their life that’s all too often neglected. Psychiatrist Dr. Michael A. Freeman explains that every founder should prioritize a wellness-oriented lifestyle, including sleep, physical activity, and nature exposure. Founders should also take breaks, develop social support networks, and maintain interests outside of work. Managing market uncertainty requires understanding how your mind works and maintaining a proper attitude.

A conversation on with Dr. Michael Freeman on the latest research & untold stories of entrepreneurs’ inner struggles

Mental health differences play a major role in fueling entrepreneurship. Those with a tendency towards risk-taking, disagreeableness, lofty thinking, and compulsivity tend to be the people that start companies. Therefore, it’s important to understand that mental health differences and entrepreneurial capabilities are two sides of the same coin. Prior research indicates that those most severely affected by mental health differences tend to get the best business results.

Listen to this episode to learn about normalizing entrepreneur mental health differences with leading researcher, Dr. Michael Freeman.

In this interview, Dr. Freeman discusses his work with entrepreneurs in the bipolar spectrum. He explains the bipolar spectrum subtypes, clinical evaluation, and the hidden superpowers of bipolar traits and temperaments. Also learn about evidence-based treatment options, and how friends and family members can be part of the solution.