Founder Mode Episode 42 - From Doctor to Founder with Jay Motley

Welcome back to Founder Mode!

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Jay Motley. He is a former anesthesiologist who left the operating room to build a new kind of mental health clinic.

We talked about lifestyle medicine, ketamine therapy, and what it’s like to leave a 10+ year career in medicine to become a founder.

It was one of the most honest and inspiring conversations we’ve had.

Let’s get into it.

1. Time Is the Scarce Asset

After losing his wife and watching how broken the care system was, Jay realized that time was the most important thing.

He said what a lot of founders eventually learn:

“The big turning point for me was when I started losing control of my calendar.”

Founding a clinic gave him that control back, and it’s something we all fight to protect.

2. Ketamine Is a Breakthrough, Not a Cure

Jay explained that ketamine isn’t a magic fix, but it can open a powerful window for healing.

“We look at ketamine as a window. It’s a tool. You still have to address the root cause.”

His clinic treats the whole person: therapy, sleep, movement, nutrition, and more. It’s not about meds instead of change, it’s meds to enable change.

3. Prevention Still Doesn’t Get the Credit It Deserves

Most of the system is built to treat illness, not prevent it.

“You don’t get excited about the fire marshal who changed the batteries. But that’s who saved you.”

And because providers aren’t paid to spend time talking about sleep, food, or exercise, most don’t. That’s what Jay is trying to change.

4. Start Simple: Sleep, Steps, Real Food

We’re always tempted by the newest hack, but Jay kept bringing it back to basics.

“Walk your dog, walk your family, stay on the outside aisles of the grocery store.”

No fancy tools required. Just do the simple things well, consistently.

5. You Can Start Solo, But You Can’t Scale That Way

Jay launched his clinic with one front desk staffer and himself. He did the logo, the website, everything.

But he also learned:

“You can grind through solo, but when you scale, you need systems. You need great people.”

Now with three clinics and more on the way, Jay’s focus is on building the team and the process that let him grow without burning out.

Final Thoughts

This episode gave me a lot to think about. Not just in healthcare, but in how we build. How we care. How we grow teams. How we prioritize what really matters.

Jay’s whole approach is calm, intentional, and deeply aligned with purpose.

The founders who understand that and use it wisely are the ones who go the distance.

If this changed how you see mental health, longevity, or making something important, share it. Send it to someone who needs it.

See you next time. We run at dawn.

🎧 Listen to Episode 42 here: