In this deeply human and insightful episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby sit down with therapist and business owner Rankyn Campbell for a conversation that blurs the lines between entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal growth. Rankyn opens up about his journey from competitive hockey to running a thriving mental health clinic, and shares the real, often messy work of self-awareness, boundary-setting, and leadership.

Together, they explore the inner challenges faced by entrepreneurs—compassion fatigue, resentment, identity, burnout, and the myth of work-life balance. Rankyn offers a refreshingly grounded perspective on how values, self-care, and even frameworks like Buddhism and Stoicism can shape a more sustainable and meaningful business (and life). If you’ve ever felt like the renovation never ends—this one’s for you.

Links and Resources Mentioned

Rankyn on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rankyn-campbell-831b2814a/
Campbell Health (Rankyn’s clinic) - https://www.campbellhealth.net/
Self-Determination Theory by Ryan & Deci - https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/theory/
Secular Buddhism Podcast by Noah Rasheta - https://secularbuddhism.com/

Quotes Worth Sharing

“You can drown in 10 feet of water just as easily as you can in 100.”

“Acceptance is not resignation. You can have acceptance and ambition.”

“Resentment is often your first signal that a boundary has been crossed.”

“Self-care has been weaponized—it shouldn’t be another thing that makes you feel like you’re not enough.”

“We are meaning-making machines. Most things aren’t good or bad, we just love to assign meaning.”

Segment Breakdown with Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction and Rankyn’s Story
From hockey to therapy: how sport shaped his mindset
Lessons on confidence, regret, and internal belief systems

10:00 – The Business of Helping People
Starting a mental health clinic with little business training
Learning to lead, hire, and grow a team through therapy and coaching
Reconciling purpose-driven work with financial responsibility

17:00 – Compassion Fatigue & Boundaries
Recognizing early signs of burnout and cynicism
Why resentment is a boundary indicator
Holding two truths: caring deeply while maintaining limits

28:00 – Community, Culture, and Connection
Western therapy vs. traditional communal healing
Isolation, loneliness, and how culture shapes mental health
The role of belonging and interdependence in well-being

40:00 – Identity, Resentment, and the Entrepreneurial Trap
The slippery slope from passion to resentment
Making intentional choices and the illusion of freedom
Why some things are never “fully learned”

50:00 – Rethinking Self-Care and Rediscovering Values
How self-care became a checklist item—and how to reclaim it
Finding your true values through behavior, not just beliefs
Aligning calendar with what matters most

1:06:00 – Sprinting vs. Marathon Work Styles
Knowing how you thrive: short bursts vs. steady pace
Creating recovery rituals and protecting energy
Why being isn’t the opposite of doing—but just as essential

1:10:00 – Mental Health at Work: For Employers
The employer’s role in creating a psychologically safe environment
Trust, autonomy, and relatedness as foundations of workplace culture
Self-determination theory in building resilient teams

1:22:00 – Buddhism, Belonging, and Acceptance
Rankyn’s journey into Buddhism and misconceptions he let go
The danger of constant longing and how to break the cycle
How suffering often stems from resisting what

In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Build to Last, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Jean-François Rousseau (JF) for a wide-ranging conversation about building enduring businesses, navigating acquisitions, and the lessons only failure can teach.

JF shares his remarkable journey—from being “forced” into entrepreneurship at 16 to building a portfolio of companies with over 100 employees. With a sharp eye for opportunity and a people-first approach to leadership, JF reveals the real challenges of scaling, exiting operations, and balancing multiple ventures. The conversation flows through hard-earned wisdom about letting go, building trust, and staying relentlessly focused on learning. If you’ve ever thought about buying a business, leading through change, or building a team that runs without you—this episode is a goldmine.

🔗 Links and Resources Mentioned

Connect with Jean Francois on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanfrancoisrousseau/

Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) – A global peer network for entrepreneurs - https://eonetwork.org

Wallace McCain Institute – An Atlantic Canadian Entrepreneurship peer group - www.wallacemccaininstitute.com

Henry Mintzberg – Canadian academic and author known for work on business strategy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Mintzberg

Warren Rustand – Renowned leadership speaker and mentor - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_S._Rustand

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) – A business management framework - https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos

EMP Program (Entrepreneurial Masters Program) – A program for growth-minded business leaders - https://www.eoapac.com/upcoming-events/entrepreneurial-masters-program-emp

The Hummingbird Project – Feature film JF worked on as a technical advisor - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6866224/

Crucial Conversations – Book on effective communication in high-stakes situations - https://cruciallearning.com/books/

Jim Collins' Great by Choice – Business book on building enduring companies mentioning the concept of Return on Luck https://www.jimcollins.com/books/great-by-choice.html

Quotes Worth Sharing

“The worst thing I can do is believe I’m right. Always assume you’re wrong and try to prove otherwise.”

“If I do one thing in a day—and it’s the right thing—that’s enough.”

“You don’t need to be everywhere all the time. You just need to show up when it counts.”

“Integration is more important than the price in any acquisition. If you lose the team, you’ve lost everything.”

“Being vulnerable earns trust faster than being impressive ever will.”

Breakdown with Timestamps

• 10:00 – School vs. Real-World Learning -Degrees vs. the school of hard knocks
• 14:00 – From One to Many: Building Multiple Companies
• 24:00 – Letting Go to Scale Up Why hiring for leadership—not skills—made all the difference
• 31:00 – Buying vs. Building Businesses The importance of understanding a seller’s true motivation
• 40:00 – Due Diligence & Integration Lessons - What JF looks for (and avoids) in acquisitions
• 45:00 – Leadership, Learning & Legacy - Prioritizing family, personal growth, and volunteering
• 54:00 – Language, Culture, and Entrepreneurship in Quebec
• 1:03:00 – Peer Groups & Entrepreneurial Loneliness - Why peer groups changed JF’s life
• 1:24:00 – Partnership Wisdom - Lessons from good (and bad) business partners

Levi, Colby, and Tracy Bell have an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, failure, and personal identity. Tracy, former CEO and co-founder of Millennia Tea, shares her journey of building a business from passion, facing public closure, and navigating what comes next. They dive into business resilience, identity beyond work, and the power of peer networks in shaping both professional and personal growth.

Links and Resources:

• Tracy Bell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybell10/
• Wallace McCain Institute: https://wallacemccaininstitute.com/
• Entrepreneurs Organization: https://eoatlantic.com/
• The Secret (book): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_(Byrne_book)
• Mel Robbins (Podcast and Author): https://www.melrobbins.com/

Quotes Worth Sharing
“I don’t introduce myself by my title anymore—I’m working on introducing who I am as a human being.”
“Failure isn’t an identity—it’s an experience that reshapes you for the better.”
“Peer groups aren’t about fixing each other’s problems—they’re about sharing real experiences and holding each other accountable.”

Redefining Identity After Business (01:09 – 04:09)

• Tracy’s Personal Journey: Tracy explains how her identity was once tightly bound to her roles—as a journalist, corporate communicator, and later as co-founder/CEO of Millennia Tea.
• Transition & New Beginnings: Discussion of how closing the business reshaped her sense of self and led to her current leadership at the Wallace McCain Institute.
• Key Quote: “I don’t introduce myself by my title anymore—I’m working on introducing who I am as a human being.”

The Emotional Impact of Business Failure (04:09 – 11:30)

• Facing Public Closure: Tracy and Levi dive into the emotional toll of publicly closing a company, discussing both the inevitable pain and the unexpected lessons learned.
• Handling External Validation: Conversations on how personal identity and public perception shift when a business fails.
• Shared Experiences: Colby and Levi contribute reflections on the challenges of dealing with external expectations versus internal growth.

The Power of Peer Groups (11:30 – 32:00)

• Value of Trusted Networks: In-depth discussion on how peer groups (e.g., Wallace McCain Institute and EO) create safe spaces for honest conversation and experience sharing.
• Real Talk vs. Advice: The trio contrasts superficial advice with the “experience share” model, where real, unfiltered lessons are exchanged.
• Comparative Insights: Colby explains the differences between accelerator groups and full-fledged peer forums, emphasizing the unique value of candid support and accountability.

Future Outlook, Succession, and Economic Development (43:30 – 57:00)

• Preparing for the “Gray Tsunami”: Conversation shifts to the challenges of business succession and the broader economic impact in regions like Atlantic Canada.
• Succession Planning: Discussion on how traditional businesses need to think proactively about transition, especially when long-time owners retire or step back.
• Regional Opportunity: The speakers reflect on the unique strengths of Atlantic Canada and the need to create a collective, supportive ecosystem.