<p>In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Valerie Hirschhauser explains why following the startup playbook often leads to founder burnout, hustle culture as a system glitch, and how founders can build a sustainable business without sacrificing their well-being.</p><p>We talk about hustle as a coping mechanism, why being busy often replaces making real progress, and how profit can act as oxygen for impact instead of undermining it. </p><p>This conversation is for founders who wonder whether working harder is really the path to success, and who are looking for a more sustainable way to build.</p><p><strong>Inside this conversation:</strong></p><p>- Why hustle is often a system glitch, not a lack of ambition</p><p>- How burnout shows up long before founders stop functioning</p><p>- Why intuition belongs in leadership and boardroom decisions</p><p>- How energy management beats time management</p><p>- Why profit can act as oxygen for impact, not a compromise</p><p>- What changes when founders reclaim agency over their choices</p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>02:20 Valerie Hirschhauser&#39;s journey and the search for freedom in tech</p><p>05:11 Debunking the illusion of hustle culture for founders</p><p>08:07 The invisible impact of burnout on tech founders</p><p>11:10 Strategies for navigating the modern startup landscape</p><p>13:50 The role of mentorship and support for female founders</p><p>16:49 Addressing double standards for women in entrepreneurship</p><p>19:26 Rethinking investment expectations and VC relationships</p><p>22:22 Why energy management beats time management for leaders</p><p>25:27 Cultivating worthiness, balance, and self-belief in STEM</p><p>32:45 How to choose agency over autopilot in your career</p><p>35:41 Balancing purpose and profitability in a sustainable business</p><p>39:17 Why hustle is not a sustainable business strategy</p><p>45:34 How location and environment influence work-life integration</p><p>48:43 Making leadership development accessible for women in tech</p><p>51:25 Leading from the heart: Combining empathy and strength</p><p>55:09 The role of trust and investor support in startup success</p><p>57:52 Building inclusive and stronger founder ecosystems</p><p><strong>Connect with Valerie Hirschhauser: </strong></p><p>Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehirschhauser/</p><p>The OneMillionWomen Website: https://www.onemillion-women.com/</p>