The risk of burnout

Geertjan Wielenga: What I've noticed with people in the advocacy field is that they're very passionate. The flip side of that is burnout and exhaustion. Have you encountered that and do you have any insights about it?

Bilal Kathrada: Yes, I've experienced that. About eight months ago, I got sick very frequently and my doctor was concerned. It wasn't one related illness but many different ones. He warned me and said that it was all related to stress.

"I remove myself from tech and when I come back to it, I have better ideas."

—Bilal Kathrada

Since then, I've disciplined myself to do exercise and eat well. I also take time out. Every three months, we make it a point as a family to disappear for three or four days into the wilderness. That could be going camping or into the mountains. I remove myself from tech and when I come back to it, I have better ideas.

The engine needs time to...