He Lost His Company, His Health and Almost His Life - With Declan Kluver
Sep 9, 2026 · 50 min · 11 segments
**Success looked incredible from the outside.** Declan Kluver was building one of Australia's fastest-growing recruitment businesses. His company was growing rapidly, the media attention was…
**Success looked incredible from the outside.** Declan Kluver was building one of Australia's fastest-growing recruitment businesses. His company was growing rapidly, the media attention was building, and the future looked limitless. Behind the scenes, however, years of relentless pressure, chronic stress and undiagnosed bipolar disorder were taking a devastating toll. What followed changed his life forever. In one of the most honest conversations we've ever recorded on *Founders Fire*, Declan shares the reality of founder burnout, the warning signs he missed, losing the business that defined his identity, surviving a suicide attempt, and why he's now dedicating his life to helping other founders protect the one asset that matters more than any business: their health. **In This Episode:** **00:00** Why no business is worth sacrificing your health **02:40** The first businesses and the entrepreneurial spark **10:20** Building a recruitment agency from scratch **18:40** Creating Extra Recruiter and chasing a $100M vision **24:50** When success became overwhelming **26:30** Understanding bipolar disorder and manic episodes **31:20** Losing the company that became his identity **33:10** The warning signs before his suicide attempt **36:50** Learning to rebuild after surviving life-changing injuries **42:20** Why founder health needs to come before business success **47:50** The advice every founder needs to hear **\*\*Content Warning\*\*** This episode contains discussions of mental health, bipolar disorder and suicide. Please take care while listening. If this conversation raises concerns for you or someone you know, support is available. **Australia** • If you're in immediate danger or someone is at immediate risk, call **000**. • Speak with your GP or a qualified mental health professional. • Beyond Blue: **1300 22 4636** • Suicide Call Back Service: **1300 659 467** • Black Dog Institute • Head to Health A government service that helps connect people with the most appropriate mental health support.
**Success looked incredible from the outside.** Declan Kluver was building one of Australia's fastest-growing recruitment businesses. His company was growing rapidly, the media attention was…
