“I Became a Robot” | Kevin Rice on Success, Fatherhood & Burnout

Kevin Rice is an entrepreneur, investor, and the host of the CEOs and ABCs podcast. After building and scaling a multi-million dollar company through years of pressure, performance, and nonstop growth, Kevin found himself emotionally disconnected from his life, his relationships, and even his own children.

In this episode, Kevin shares the reality behind high performance, entrepreneurship, emotional shutdown, burnout, fatherhood, and the hidden cost of success. The conversation explores identity, resilience, nervous system regulation, presence, emotional disconnection, leadership, and what it means to rebuild your life after realizing achievement alone isn’t enough.

This is a grounded conversation about ambition, fulfillment, masculinity, emotional awareness, and learning how to reconnect with yourself after years of surviving in “robot mode.”

Connect with Kevin Rice:

Website: https://www.ceosandabcs.com/ 

Podcast: https://www.ceosandabcs.com/episodes/ 

Takeaways

• Success without fulfillment can still leave you feeling empty
• Many high performers disconnect emotionally to survive pressure
• Entrepreneurship often requires resilience through uncertainty and rejection
• Working harder is not always the same as working strategically
• Burnout can quietly damage relationships, presence, and identity
• Emotional shutdown often happens gradually over time
• Children remember presence more than productivity
• Personal growth sometimes begins after external success is achieved
• Coaching and mentorship can accelerate both business and personal growth
• Intentionality matters in parenting, leadership, and relationships
• You can rebuild connection with yourself at any stage of life

Connect with Jason Smith

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jbirdfit

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jbirdfit

Substack: https://substack.com/@theblueprintpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbirdfit

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Disclaimer:

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding your physical or mental health.

If you are in crisis or need immediate support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit https://988lifeline.org. You are not alone.