Ben Simon-Thomas
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Summary
On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Ben Simon-Thomas, co-founder and CEO of W3LL or Well which is Connecting people With Effective, Evidence-Based Solutions That Improve Wellbeing.
Early in his career, he worked in preventive medicine to try and change people’s lifestyles so they can be more healthy. That inspired him to come back to healthcare and form W3ll.
Ben’s by nature an optimistic person and sometimes that can get him into trouble, especially when it comes to picking a co-founder. What he has learned about picking a co-founder is that you have to have the attitude that anything is possible while not dwelling on the past. It’s also important to feel at ease with your potential co-founder, which has a lot to do with transparency of both actions and being honest that you won’t have all the answers. It’s the ability to hear options, good or bad, and then come together to solve the problem that’s the hallmark of a good founder pairing.
Ben has a Masters in Buddhist Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies that is driving what he is doing at W3LL, which relates to Health, Happiness, and Holding Space. What that all boils down to is how our thoughts affect our wellbeing.
We cover a lot of ground from 3D printing to mindfulness to a person’s wellbeing. It’s a fascinating conversation about how to be more healthy, happy, and hopeful. You will not want to miss this one if you want more wellbeing in your life.
Now let’s get better together.
Actions to Try or Advice to Take
- Learn Something New Every day: the advantage of being an entrepreneur is that you actually have to learn new things daily or you’ll soon fall behind.
- Founders Problems: Ben has had his fair share of founder problems -- like so many people.
- The two most common reasons startups fail: Run out of money + Founder problems.
- Transparency and collaboration (or lack of ego) are the two things Ben looks for in a co-founder.
- Theology vs Religious Studies: Theology is about how to apply religion whereas religious studies is more the history of religion.
- Health, Happiness, and Hold Space. The three things he wants to achieve at W3LL.
Links to Explore Further
- Ben on LinkedIn
- Ben’s Company W3LL
- Founders Network
- Transformative Technology TT’s mission is to permanently move a billion people into a state of wellbeing and flourishing by 2030. The Transformative Technology Conference is the only conference focused on tech for mental wellness, emotional wellbeing, and human flourishing. We sit at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We leverage exponential technologies like AI, AR/VR/XR, networks and sensors, biotech, neurofeedback, robotics, and more to build tech to enable human wellbeing at scale. Check out the TT network (free). Health, Happiness, and Hope.
- Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley - They are doing some great work.
- Singularity University. Preparing Global Leaders & Organizations for the Future - another innovative group doing good work. Lots of very important conversations RE: post COVID world.
- Paul Tillich -- Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt.
- California Institute of Integral Studies
- Bessel van der Kolk
