This CEO lived on canned soup and took just two days off for his daughter’s birth. Now, he admits he lost sight of proper work-life balance

Ron Schneidermann, CEO of test-prep startup Acely, admits he lost sight of proper work-life balance during his career. After growing his first company, Liftopia, to $60 million in annual revenue, he became CEO of AllTrails, a hiking map app. Now in his late 40s, Schneidermann reflects on his journey and the mistakes he made along the way.

At Liftopia, he worked out of a cramped apartment, survived on canned soup for two years, and took just two days off for his daughter's birth and a week for his son's birth. He later admitted these sacrifices were a mistake and regretted them. Schneidermann credits his mindset shift with turning his frustrations into strengths, leading to his current approach as CEO of Acely.

Instead of monthly "trail days," his company runs a monthly "hackathon," where employees experiment with AI tools for a day without meetings, KPIs, or deliverables. Schneidermann emphasizes the importance of building real relationships in the job market, especially for Gen Z workers who struggle with professional norms. He advises young workers to prioritize networking, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, rather than obsessing over résumés or credentials.