Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Levitt.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my career in accounting and finance, leading healthcare and social service organizations that served vulnerable communities. After two decades in leadership, I faced my own severe burnout, which became a turning point. That experience inspired me to found the Breakfast Leadership Network to help leaders and organizations prevent burnout and build healthier workplace cultures.
Today, I serve as Chief Burnout Officer, keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of the Breakfast Leadership Show, a top-ranked global podcast, and top 5 California leadership podcast as ranked by FeedSpot (link: https://podcast.feedspot.com/california_leadership_podcasts/) I’ve authored several books including Burnout Proof and Workplace Culture, and I work with organizations worldwide to help them lead with clarity, calm, and sustainable performance.
My mission is to prove that success does not require exhaustion, and that leaders can thrive when they prioritize their energy, focus, and purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge shaped who I am and how I lead today. Life threw several storms my way, and each one forced me to rebuild stronger and with more clarity about what truly matters.
One of the hardest chapters was going through a divorce. It was a deeply painful process that made me confront parts of myself I had ignored for years. At the time, I felt like the foundation of my life had been pulled out from under me, but it also became the catalyst for personal growth and self-awareness. I learned that resilience is not about avoiding pain, but about learning to walk through it with purpose.
Then came the Pandemic, which was a collective trauma for so many of us. Practically overnight, speaking engagements vanished, consulting contracts paused, and uncertainty took center stage. But it was also the moment the Breakfast Leadership Network truly found its mission — helping people and companies rebuild with balance, empathy, and sustainability at the core. It forced me to evolve, digitize, and scale in ways I might never have otherwise considered.
Losing both of my parents within a few years of each other was another major blow. Grief has a way of reshaping how you see time, relationships, and priorities. Their passing reminded me that tomorrow is never guaranteed and that legacy is built through how you treat people every single day. That realization continues to guide my work with leaders and organizations around the world.
Being an entrepreneur has its ups and downs. There have been moments of incredible wins — standing on global stages, publishing books, launching new ventures — and there have been seasons where I questioned if I could keep going. Entrepreneurship tests every part of you: your confidence, your patience, and your ability to adapt when plans collapse.
Through all of it, I’ve come to see that the road was never meant to be smooth. The bumps, detours, and breakdowns along the way became the real education. They taught me empathy, humility, and the importance of alignment between personal well-being and professional success. That is what fuels everything I teach and live today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Breakfast Leadership Network?
The Breakfast Leadership Network is a global leadership development and workplace culture consultancy that helps organizations and individuals prevent burnout, improve retention, and create high-performing, people-centered workplaces. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help leaders and teams work better, not harder, by building sustainable success through clarity, calm, and culture.
We specialize in burnout prevention, leadership development, and organizational transformation. Through a mix of speaking engagements, executive coaching, and culture consulting, we work with organizations to redesign how people work and lead. We are known for taking a practical yet deeply human approach, blending data-driven strategy with emotional intelligence and neuroscience-based tools. Our clients range from healthcare systems and financial institutions to startups and nonprofit organizations, all with a common goal of creating healthier, more productive workplaces.
What sets us apart is that we do not just talk about burnout or culture as buzzwords. I lived it. Years ago, I experienced a severe burnout that nearly cost me everything: my health, career, and relationships. That personal experience reshaped my entire mission and became the foundation for the work we do today. The insights we share are not just academic; they come from real-world recovery and years of helping others rebuild from similar experiences.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of how authentic and values-driven the Breakfast Leadership Network has become. It is not about flashy trends or temporary motivation. It is about lasting change, evidence-based systems, and the courage to lead differently. Our podcast, *The Breakfast Leadership Show*, has become a Top 2% global show, Top 5 California Leadership podcast, and a Top 20 podcast for thought leadership. Our books, including *Burnout Proof* and *Workplace Culture*, have reached audiences worldwide, helping people find clarity and strength in chaotic times.
What I want readers to know about the brand is that we are more than consultants, we are partners in transformation. Whether through keynotes, workshops, executive coaching, or online programs, our goal is to help leaders and teams build resilience, enhance communication, and align performance with purpose. Every offering is designed to help people step out of survival mode and into a place of calm, clarity, and confidence.
At the end of the day, our brand stands for one clear belief: success should never come at the cost of well-being. We help organizations and individuals prove that you can achieve extraordinary results without burning out along the way.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding the right mentor or building a strong network is less about chasing titles and more about creating genuine, values-aligned relationships. My best advice is to approach mentorship and networking with curiosity, generosity, and consistency. The people who have had the greatest impact on my life were not necessarily the most famous or powerful, but they were the ones who shared similar values and were willing to be honest about both their wins and their failures.
Start by getting clear on what you actually want to learn or improve. Too many people seek mentors as a status move instead of a growth move. When you know what you are looking for, you can identify mentors who have walked that path and are willing to share their lessons. I have found that being direct and respectful when asking for mentorship works well. Instead of saying, “Can you be my mentor?” try something like, “I really admire how you handled X. Would you be open to sharing how you approached it?” This invites conversation instead of commitment.
Networking works best when you focus on giving before asking. I have built lasting relationships by showing genuine interest in others, supporting their work, and looking for ways to add value. When people feel seen and supported, they naturally want to reciprocate. Over time, this turns acquaintances into allies. I also believe in showing up consistently, whether that means attending events, engaging thoughtfully on platforms like LinkedIn, or following up after a great conversation. Relationships compound just like investments.
One thing that has worked well for me is surrounding myself with people who challenge my thinking. I intentionally seek out mentors and peers who see the world differently. That diversity of thought sharpens perspective and keeps me learning. My Personal Board of Directors, a group of leaders and thinkers I study and emulate helps me make better decisions and stay grounded in my mission.
Ultimately, mentorship and networking are about alignment, not accumulation. You do not need hundreds of connections. You need a handful of authentic relationships built on trust, respect, and shared purpose. When you approach it that way, opportunities naturally follow.
Pricing:
- $7 Workplace Culture Book https://Community.BreakfastLeadership.com
- $7 Burnout Proof Life https://FreeFromBurnout.com
- $199 (Audio only) Sponsored appearance on the Breakfast Leadership Show
- $3500-$6000 Keynote Speaking
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BreakfastLeadership.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bfastleadership/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michaeldlevitt
- Twitter: https://X.com/bfastleadership
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@breakfastleadership?sub_confirmation=1
- Other: https://apple.co/3ywz8SE
Image Credits
Michael Levitt
