Our story

What if the lean startup principles would apply to you – the founder?

In the startup world, we all talk about “the lean startup”, a method know for the engineering mindset towards building a business that emphasizes experimentation and validated learning, build-measure-learn feedback loops, and continuously listening to feedback and adapting to new insights. The Lean Startup approach has led to many incredibly healthy businesses — but what about the (health of the) founders?

Hi founder,

I’m Johan de Wit, and I’ve always been passionate about three things: building communities, startups and sports.

As the founder of We Love SaaS, the largest SaaS community in the Benelux region, I connect with hundreds of startup and scale-up founders. Through my work as a community builder, podcast host, and angel investor, I notice something troubling: many founders struggle with their health.

I see a silent crisis unfolding. Founders are often pushing themselves over their limit, skipping meals, losing sleep and neglecting their physical fitness – often times constantly living on the edge of a burnout. But it’s not just about feeling tired. I’ve started to realize that a founder’s poor health affects their business. When leaders are tired and stressed, they make worse decisions and lack the creativity needed to drive their companies forward. Their teams also feel the strain, reflecting their leader’s stress and disengagement.

My conviction doesn’t come from observation only – it also comes from personal experience. After working with several successful startups, I started a new venture in 2021. I poured my heart and soul into it, raised nearly half a million euros pre-seed but despite my efforts, the startup struggled and ultimately failed in 2023. The failure hits me hard, leading to a personal crisis both physically and mentally.

Determined to regain my health, I took a step back. I dedicated 12 months to improving my mental and physical well-being, trying different practices to find what worked for me. I set a goal to reach 10% body fat and committed to a rigorous fitness routine. My work payed off, and I achieved my goal. Once I started sharing my journey with fellow founders, I discovered that many are facing the same challenges I had faced.

I believe something has to change. The nonstop hustle culture in startups is taking its toll, and there’s a better way. Inspired by the principles of the Lean Startup — a method most of us know — I wondered what would happen if we applied the same ideas to our health. By setting a clear goal, experimenting with what works, and constantly adjusting based on our bodies’ feedback, we can regain control over our well-being.

This realization sparked the creation of The Lean Founder, an initiative powered by We Love SaaS. I want to help other founders prioritize their health, believing that when you take care of yourself, your business will naturally thrive.

The Lean Founder is more than just a community; it’s a support system for founders to focus on their well-being, creating a positive ripple effect that benefits their teams and businesses.

Today, The Lean Founder offers resources on lifestyle, nutrition, and training, along with events and a supportive WhatsApp community. I invite you to join us and take the first step towards prioritizing your health, because you deserve it.

Can’t wait to welcome you!

Johan de Wit

The Lean Founder
Fit to Lead