TL;DR :
I'm Ivan, an entrepreneur battling chronic back pain and mental health issues. After experiencing both significant success and major setbacks, including a difficult divorce, I'm working to rebuild my life and career. I'm also writing a book about my journey.
Full Version:
My name is Ivan and I'm an entrepreneur who's been on an intense personal and professional journey over the past few years. I'm reaching out for support to overcome financial challenges and continue my path to recovery and stability.
My Story
The last few years have been a whirlwind of highs and lows:
In 2021, I achieved significant success in the tech industry, experiencing a period of financial growth in a short period of time, earning over $1 million in just few month
However, long-standing health issues began to take their toll. I've been battling severe chronic back pain for over a decade, which has progressively worsened.
My health deteriorated to the point where I couldn't sit for more than 20 minutes, leading to hospitalizations and opioid treatments for pain management.
The stress of managing my health, my project, and family responsibilities led to a decline in my mental health.
I was diagnosed with clinical depression (MDD) and longstanding untreated ADHD.
The combination of health issues, market volatility, and personal challenges led to significant financial losses and shortly after bankruptcy.
I went through a difficult divorce, which added emotional stress to an already challenging situation.
Personal Challenges
My divorce was a particularly difficult period. It unfolded over several months, with uncertainty and miscommunication adding to the emotional toll. The realisation that my marriage was ending coincided with some of my most challenging health issues, creating a perfect storm of personal crisis.
The impact of chronic pain on my life has been profound. There was a moment when I finally achieved financial freedom, but the constant pain prevented me from enjoying it. Simple pleasures like socialising, sports, traveling, or starting new projects became impossible. My focus shifted entirely to managing daily pain.
Daily life became a struggle. I once lost consciousness and woke up hours later in the bathroom, fortunate not to have seriously injured myself. Basic routines like maintaining a regular sleep schedule became major challenges. The pain often disrupts my sleep, and the side effects of painkillers can leave me feeling drained and unproductive.
These challenges led me to a dark place mentally. I reached a point where I attempted suicide twice. Fortunately, I was unsuccessful, and with the help of antidepressants and other medications, I've been able to stabilize my mental health.
Current Situation
My chronic pain continues to limit my ability to work consistently.
I'm on medication for depression and ADHD, which has helped stabilize my condition.
I'm working on new projects independently
I'm facing substantial debt, over $150,000 USD owed to friends, family, and financial institutions.
I will be going through two back surgeries in about six months.
I am writing a Book about my journey and personal insights
My Book Project:
"Life on the Edge - My Journey Through Pain, ADHD, and Success"
Alongside my recovery efforts, I'm writing a book that delves into the complex interplay between mental health, chronic pain, and entrepreneurship.
Key themes include:
1. How ADHD and other mental health issues can both fuel creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, and potentially lead to chronic pain and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
2. The interconnected nature of ADHD, chronic pain, and depression, exploring how they influence and amplify each other
3. The ups and downs of entrepreneurship through the lens of these health challenges
4. My personal journey of understanding, diagnosis, and seeking balance
This book aims to shed light on the often-overlooked connections between mental health, physical pain, and professional life, offering insights to those facing similar challenges.
Your support will help bring this potentially impactful book to completion 😊