All Segments
Ben Huh on Therapy
6 segments available
This week Kip (YC W16) launched their Investor Pledge for Mental Health–a public commitment to take an active role in promoting mental health. Ben Huh shared his thoughts on therapy with us.
Segments Timeline
The Journey to Therapy
Ben Huh shares his personal journey into therapy, which began four or five years ago due to work-related stress. He credits board member Brad Feld for encouraging him to prioritize mental health and introduces his therapist, Jerry Colona, a well-known CEO coach. This segment emphasizes the importance of mental well-being for high performance.
"my name is benha and I'm the founder and former CEO of the cheeseburger Network and also co-founder of the news app Circa and now I work at YC comater on uh some special projects so um I first started..."
Breaking the Stigma of Therapy
Huh discusses the common myths surrounding therapy, particularly the tendency for people to seek help only in crisis situations. He compares this to waiting until an injury is severe before seeking medical attention, highlighting the stigma that prevents proactive mental health care. This segment advocates for therapy as a tool for maintaining optimal mental health rather than just a recovery method.
"entrepreneurial side of therapy started so I think there's a lot of myth about what um therapy is and U A lot of people wait until there's a crisis and what that's like doing is like it's finding a cu..."
Personal vs. CEO Coaching
In this segment, Ben Huh contrasts his experiences with CEO coaching and personal therapy. He explains how CEO coaching focuses on decision-making and leadership challenges, while personal therapy helps him explore his emotional responses and behaviors. This distinction underscores the multifaceted benefits of therapy in both personal and professional contexts.
"should really be about so one of the things that I'm doing right now through Kip is that I'm actually seeing a personal therapist which is actually a first thing first time uh use of therapy for me I'..."
The 'So What?' Mentality
Huh introduces a powerful mantra from his coach, 'So what?', which encourages individuals to confront reality calmly and rationally. He explains how this mindset helps to alleviate emotional stress and focus on actionable solutions. This segment emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating challenges.
"trying to examine um what behaviors uh are indicative of me running away from a problem running away from something uh that's uncomfortable and things like that and another is like behaviors that driv..."
Honesty in Therapy
Ben Huh stresses the necessity of honesty in therapy for effective outcomes. He discusses the importance of being transparent about one's mental state, whether dealing with depression or other emotional challenges. This segment highlights the role of open communication in maximizing the benefits of therapy.
"like calm and um differential level which makes you go okay this is our situation what are the options available I am not going to react emotionally to this I'm going to understand my emotion and see ..."
Investing in Mental Health
In this final segment, Huh addresses the hesitance many entrepreneurs feel about spending money on therapy and coaching. He argues that investing in mental health leads to significant returns in personal and professional effectiveness. This segment advocates for viewing therapy as a valuable investment rather than a personal expense.
"that you have depression like you need to if you have it say it if you're just sad say it there's no Stigma with this like this is private so go have those moments of honest conversation so they can h..."