Entrepreneurship often conjures images of fearless risk-takers, but the reality is more complex. Founders frequently juggle the weight of their ventures alongside their personal struggles. In a raw and insightful episode of “Notes to My (Legal) Self,” Collin Williams, co-founder of New Era ADR, opens up about his journey from suffering with depression to living with it — and how he’s using that awareness to navigate the turbulent world of startups.

The Journey From Suffering To Living With

Collin shares that his depression manifested not in the way many might expect but through anger. For years, he struggled to understand his emotions, which often flared up in ways he couldn’t control. It was his wife who finally urged him to seek help, leading to a life-changing revelation: his symptoms weren’t just anger but depression.

This turning point helped Collin move from “suffering with” to “living with” depression — a reframe he credits for transforming his life. As he explains, suffering comes from a lack of answers and direction, while living with a condition means taking ownership of it, creating an action plan, and building a fulfilling life,

“Life is miserable when you’re suffering. Life is great when you’re living with. If you can make that shift, you’ll solve 90% of your problems.”

Redefining Normal

One of the most striking points Collin makes is that mental illness is far more common than we acknowledge. With at least 20% of the population experiencing some form of mental health challenge, he argues, this isn’t the exception — it’s part of the human condition.

Collin encourages others to abandon the stigma and reframe mental illness as a strength rather than a weakness. For him, the ability to seek help, manage his condition, and thrive in spite of it is a superpower.

“This is no different than having a broken arm. You wouldn’t let a broken arm linger — you’d treat it. Mental illness deserves the same attention.”

Building A Startup With Depression

The entrepreneurial journey is famously stressful, marked by intense highs and lows. For someone with a mental health condition, these challenges can be magnified. Collin, however, sees his depression not as a liability but as something manageable with the right tools and support.

Structured routines are a key part of his strategy. Collin sticks to a daily schedule outside work — exercise in the morning, consistent evening routines — to maintain stability in the face of unpredictable workdays.

And while entrepreneurship might seem counterintuitive for someone managing depression, Collin explains his motivation succinctly: “I was afraid of practicing law for 40 years. Entrepreneurship was the scarier, more exciting choice—but it was the right one for me.”

Breaking The Stigma

Collin has been candid about his mental health journey, sharing openly with his team, partners, and even investors. His goal? To normalize these conversations and dismantle the stigma around mental illness in professional settings.

“If you think there’s something wrong, don’t let the worry about what others will think stop you from getting help. Talk about it. That’s the only way we’ll make this a nonissue in the future.”

Collin’s openness has been met with support, not skepticism, and he encourages others to follow suit. Transparency, he believes, not only builds trust but also fosters a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture.

Practical Takeaways For Founders And Leaders

Reframe Your Mindset: Move from suffering to living with your challenges by seeking help and developing an action plan.
Establish Routines: Structure your nonwork hours to create stability and balance.
Be Open: Normalize conversations about mental health with your team, partners, and investors.
Focus On The Present: Let go of the “why” behind your condition. Focus instead on managing it and building a fulfilling life.

The Bottom Line

As Collin puts it, living with mental illness is normal. The challenge lies in recognizing it, seeking help, and sharing your story to inspire others. If you’re struggling, remember: you’re not alone, and there’s no shame in asking for help.

For more of Collin’s insights and a candid look at the intersection of mental health and entrepreneurship, watch the full episode of “Notes to My (Legal) Self.”

(P.S.: Feed your cat — and your mental health needs — daily.)

Olga V. Mack is a Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat, Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security, and Blockchain Value: Transforming Business Models, Society, and Communities. She is working on three books: Visual IQ for Lawyers (ABA 2024), The Rise of Product Lawyers: An Analytical Framework to Systematically Advise Your Clients Throughout the Product Lifecycle (Globe Law and Business 2024), and Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data (Globe Law and Business 2024). You can follow Olga on LinkedIn and Twitter @olgavmack.

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