Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck in hustle culture? In this episode of Beneath the Surface, host Danny Francois sits down with entrepreneur and speaker Brian Cristiano to unpack the real mental and emotional cost of nonstop grinding — and how to rebuild a life rooted in balance, clarity, and purpose.

Brian shares his personal journey of chasing the wrong goals, hitting burnout, and redefining success through mental health and alignment. This conversation is for anyone navigating high‑pressure environments, entrepreneurship, or the weight of unrealistic expectations.

Explore more of Brian’s work at: www.theboldway.com

What you’ll learn in this episode:

* How hustle culture shapes identity and self‑worth
* Early signs of burnout and how to recognize them
* What overwhelm really looks like — and why it’s not failure
* How burnout impacts creativity, relationships, and joy
* Steps to rebuild resilience and realign with your values
* How to choose mental health over constant productivity
* Brian Cristiano’s story of breaking free from hustle culture


Mantra of the episode:
Mental health over hustle isn’t just a choice — it’s a rebellion against burnout culture.

Journal prompt:
What goal am I chasing that isn’t mine? How can I honor my mental health today?