At 26, I Lost My Savings. Now 30, I’ve Rebuilt My Life — 8 Life-Changing Tips To Young Entrepreneurs

My first startup failed, and I lost every penny of my life savings. It left me reeling with depression and anxiety, constantly questioning every decision I’d ever made. 

But four years later, at 30, I had made my first million. The catalyst for this transformation? 

Andrew Huberman’s insights on ultradian rhythms and the science of productivity.

Huberman isn’t just another motivational guru — he’s a renowned neuroscientist whose research into the brain’s natural rhythms has reshaped how we think about focus, rest, and performance. His work helped me reclaim control over my mind and my life. I’ve condensed eight of his powerful insights that turned things around for me, and they just might do the same for you.

1. Understanding Your Brain’s Natural Rhythm: A Blueprint for Focus

In the early days of my recovery, I used to work sporadically, thinking any minute I spent hustling was a step forward. Huberman’s research shows this “random work” approach is one of the biggest traps we fall into. Our brains are not designed to perform at peak all day long — they have a natural ebb and flow, known as ultradian rhythms.

When you wake up and immediately dive into tasks like checking emails or scrolling through notifications, your brain goes into overdrive, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. This activates stress responses, depleting energy that could be used for actual focus. Understanding this cycle changed how I started my mornings and how I approached each day.

Instead of beginning with email, I created a morning routine to ease into work, slowly building up my energy. This simple change was surprisingly powerful and helped prevent burnout by keeping me from hitting my mental limit before lunch.

2. Aligning with Your Ultradian Rhythm: 90-Minute Focus Blocks

One of Huberman’s biggest revelations is that our brains naturally operate in 90-minute focus blocks, followed by a necessary 20-minute rest period. After diving into his research, I structured my workday around these cycles, using 90-minute blocks of deep work interspersed with short breaks.

When I first tried this, it felt revolutionary. My focus was sharper, my energy levels steadier. During those 90 minutes, I wasn’t just checking off tasks — I was in a state of flow. That’s when I noticed a significant change in my productivity, which was something I hadn’t felt in years.

I began treating my breaks as part of my work, spending those 20 minutes outside, moving, or doing a quick meditation. These pauses helped me return with a clear mind, allowing me to maintain consistent energy throughout the day rather than crashing by the afternoon.

3. The Power of the 90-Minute Rule: Boosting Productivity 300%

Huberman’s studies found that people following these ultradian rhythms — working in 90-minute blocks with 20-minute breaks — saw productivity boosts of up to 300%. For me, it was a game-changer. Before, I was slogging through 8–10 hours without making any real progress. Working with my biology instead of against it allowed me to get more done in half the time.

The 90-minute rhythm taps into how our brains cycle through high and low energy. When we align with it, we’re not forcing focus — it flows. And when we break just as our energy dips, we’re ready to go again with renewed focus. It took me from drained and unproductive to feeling in control of my output and growth.

I used to dread long stretches of work, especially creative tasks. By embracing this rhythm, I was able to approach them with a sense of clarity and drive that I hadn’t felt since starting my first company.

4. Environment Shapes Performance: The Role of Stress Hormones

When you push through fatigue, your body produces stress hormones like cortisol, which impair focus, dampen creativity, and lead to poor decision-making. Learning this from Huberman was eye-opening because I used to pride myself on “working through the pain.”

I realized that ignoring fatigue doesn’t make you tougher — it makes you less effective. Changing my environment became a priority, so I created a workspace that encouraged focus and calm, helping me avoid the unnecessary stress that comes from working in an unproductive setting.

I invested in quality lighting and noise-canceling headphones. The small investment in my workspace paid off enormously, reducing stress and creating a physical space that supported my mental goals.

5. The Sleep Solution: Recovery is Key to Productivity

It’s a common myth that more hours mean more output. Huberman’s research clarified that recovery is more important than the number of hours worked. After losing my savings, my sleep was a mess. I was up all night worrying, which only made my days worse.

Focusing on quality sleep was a game-changer. I started using a sleep mask and sound machine to create a restful environment. And when I woke up, I felt truly refreshed for the first time in years. This recovery fed directly into my daytime energy levels and gave me a sustainable rhythm.

 I went from sleeping erratically to following a set sleep schedule. Within a few weeks, my energy doubled, and my productivity skyrocketed. Good sleep became my secret weapon.

6. Morning Protocol: Building a Foundation for Energy

Huberman’s science-based approach highlights that you can’t wait for focus to find you — you have to cultivate it. Before, I would sit around waiting to “feel ready” to tackle big projects. Now, I start my mornings with a protocol designed to prime my mind and body.

This includes hydration, a quick workout, and a short meditation session. Instead of jumping straight into tasks, I build momentum. And by the time I start working, I’m not only awake but energized.

My morning routine now acts as a mental switch, helping me transition from personal time to work mode seamlessly. I get into a focused state without wasting energy trying to “wake up.”

7. The New Performance Model: Be the Cause, Not the Effect

Many of us work reactively, letting emails, meetings, and endless to-do lists determine our day. Huberman’s insights pushed me to be proactive with my time, following my energy cycles and building real breaks into my day.

I used to feel trapped by my schedule, but by taking ownership, I became the cause rather than the effect of my day. Now, I’m more deliberate with my energy, and I prioritize tasks that truly move the needle.

 Before, I was constantly at the mercy of my inbox. Now, I limit email time, schedule deep work during my high-energy blocks, and tackle admin tasks when my energy dips, making each hour far more productive.

8. Mastering Rhythms: Creating Your Own Schedule

Most of us let external factors dictate our schedules. But when you start advocating for your time and productivity needs, you become the creator of your own life. For me, this was the most transformative of all Huberman’s insights.

Building a business is demanding, but now I set boundaries around my 90-minute cycles. If I need to take a call outside of these blocks, I reschedule. This flexibility isn’t always easy, but it’s the key to maintaining control over my work and my energy.

Clients used to book me at any time, which disrupted my rhythm. Now, I’ve created windows for client work that align with my natural energy flow, making every interaction more effective and enjoyable.

My Takeaway: From Rock Bottom to 8 Figures

These eight insights didn’t just give me a boost — they completely changed how I approach work and life. In two years, I went from $11 in my bank account to building an 8-figure coaching business. Consistency, alignment with my body’s natural cycles, and a new performance model gave me the edge I needed.

If you’re feeling stuck, try these principles. Huberman’s research shows that when you align your work with your biology, you don’t just survive — you thrive.

Your next step

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