Discussions around mental health have gained significant global traction over the last decade, with a growing body of research illuminating an impending crisis among younger generations. One study from the University of Sydney has shed additional light on this reality in Australia, asserting that people born in the 1990s have worse mental health for their age than any previous generation. Several healthcare professionals and analysts have suggested a variety of societal factors as potential culprits of this phenomenon, although conclusive findings on the subject remain at large. In any case, the pressure to unearth a solution is greater than ever. Tech executive Ben Lee thinks he may have found it.
Lee, an American entrepreneur living full-time in the Costa Rican jungle, was once among scores of those suffering from untreated mental health woes. He attributes many of his medical problems, both mental and physical, to the extreme burnout that he endured as a result of building fast-growing startups in a profit-obsessed culture.
“Hustle culture honestly almost killed me,” says Lee. “Since I was 15 years old I never stopped working. My own wellness was not a priority. Nothing mattered to me except for the companies I was running. I ate garbage, I didn’t exercise, I didn’t rest… I was a ticking time bomb.”
He received a harsh wakeup call when he fell ill with multiple autoimmune diseases, including Lyme disease and related co-infecitons, each of which may have been preventable with a healthier lifestyle or earlier treatment. That’s when he became acutely aware of his entanglement in a viscous cycle of overworking and self-neglect, which ultimately forced him to take leave from the projects that he had sacrificed his health to build.
“I realized that I needed to put my health and happiness first if I was going to move forward,” Lee recalls. “When I was recovering I spent a lot of time learning to be mindful, practicing yoga, meditating and doing breathwork. Interacting with the physical world around me and being part of the community here was very healing.”
Fast-forward to today, and Lee is on a mission to help others discover the same treatment that got his life back on track: living in the present moment. He created the RESET retreat, an experience designed to help others in high-powered executive roles discover the symbiotic nature of work and wellness. In an increasingly digital era, Lee believes that unplugging from the overstimulation and warped cultural values often presented in virtual spaces can effectively ‘reset’ toxic habits and lay a foundation for a more holistic kind of success — one that is based on more than career and money.
Lee states an obvious (but often overlooked) fact: “Humans aren’t meant to be glued to their screens 24/7. We need to talk to each other, guide each other, use our hands, and learn to appreciate the physical world we inhabit. That’s what life is all about.”
The RESET, exclusive to men for the time being, is a curated weeklong gathering of global leaders who want to learn how to live mindfully without sacrificing their dedication to their careers. Honing in on discovering fulfillment through physical practices, it rejects all-or-nothing thinking in favor of establishing a sustainable work-life methodology that busy executives can actually follow longterm. Nestled in the lush
jungle of the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, the programming includes surfing, meditation, woodworking, martial arts, professional workshops (outdoors, of course) and personalized health coaching that all serve the common goal of holistic wellness.
“No one should have to put their life on hold because of burnout,” says Lee. “I created the RESET to teach men how to keep building their dreams while living a more fulfilled life. Helping others get to a place where they can spend more time with family, rediscover hobbies, feel good in their own skin is what drives me to host these events. Living well isn’t about choosing one thing over another, but about creating spaces for all of the things you care about — especially your own health.”
Since beginning his journey to empower holistic wellness among business leaders, Lee’s theory is starting to catch on among executives. Several attendees of the RESET Retreat have cited the positive impact that his approach has had on their wellbeing.
Among those who have shared glowing testimonials about their experience is Ken Hertz, a senior partner at one of Hollywood’s premier entertainment law firms. Boasting a star-studded client roster, including a-listers like Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Keke Palmer, and several other household celebrity names, the firm’s attorneys keep plenty busy representing some of the biggest names in the industry.
Hertz, intrigued by the promise of holistic wellness offered by the RESET, took the leap and attended the weeklong retreat in early 2024. When describing his experience, he noted the enduring serenity that he gleaned from his week spent in Costa Rica.
“I attended the RESET for my family, to come home a better man. They deserve the best version of me,” Hertz says. “When it comes to your mental health, I learned that you can’t wait until you have the time. You’ll never have the time. You have to make the time.”
He also notes that the RESET was a timely investment into his future, helping him to reach health goals that he has had for nearly a decade.
“My profession is so fast-paced,” he explains. “It never stops. It can be easy to get swept away with it. The RESET helped me slow down and remember what really matters.”
A promising solution to a global epidemic, the RESET represents a growing departure from traditional treatments for optimizing mental health. It draws on the increasingly popular mindset that reducing exposure to toxic digital spaces can greatly improve overall wellness, particularly mental health ailments like burnout. While wellness retreats are not a new concept by any means, the RESET retreat uniquely caters to men in high-powered executive roles looking to achieve holistic fulfillment in their work and personal lives. Ben Lee, a true innovator in the retreat space, has revolutionized the way ambitious men can connect and harmonize their work and wellness.
