I’ve been thinking about grit — the kind that gets you through the darkest days and the longest nights. Last week, I saw a patient who reminded me of the kind of tenacity I often wish I could bottle and give to every startup founder I meet. She had been on the IVF path for almost a decade, enduring the emotional rollercoaster that comes with every cycle of hope and disappointment. Her journey was a testament to the power of perseverance, and it made me reflect on how similar the paths of my IVF patients are to the founders I mentor.
Let me tell you about her. She walked into my clinic with a determination that was almost palpable. This wasn’t her first attempt at IVF, nor was it her second or third. She had been through the wringer — multiple cycles, countless injections, and more emotional dips than most people experience in a lifetime. Yet, here she was, ready to go again. Her resolve reminded me of a startup founder I backed a few years ago. He, too, faced numerous setbacks — failed product launches, funding rejections, and team issues. But he wouldn’t quit. He pivoted, learned from his mistakes, and kept moving forward. Today, his company is thriving.
In both cases, the common thread was the willingness to embrace failure as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. This is a lesson I’ve seen repeated in my practice and my investments. In the world of startups, failure is almost a rite of passage. The same is true in the realm of IVF. Each failed attempt teaches you something new, forces you to adapt, and prepares you for the next challenge.
What struck me about my patient was her ability to maintain hope in the face of uncertainty. Hope is a powerful thing, but it’s not enough on its own. It needs to be coupled with action, with grit. This is where many founders falter. They have the vision and the hope, but when the going gets tough, they hesitate to take the necessary steps. My patient taught me that hope, coupled with relentless action, is what leads to success. It’s about showing up, doing the hard work, and believing that the next cycle might just be the one.
In the startup world, we often talk about “the pivot” — the ability to change direction when something isn’t working. In IVF, every cycle is a pivot. Each one brings new protocols, new medications, and new strategies. This adaptability is crucial. My patient knew this. She was willing to try new things, to listen to advice, and to keep pushing forward, even when the odds seemed stacked against her. Her story reminded me of a piece I wrote on What IVF Under Pressure Taught Me About Startup Pivots.
It’s easy to romanticize grit and perseverance, but the truth is, they’re incredibly challenging to maintain over the long haul. It’s exhausting to keep going when you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, whether you’re trying to bring a new life into the world or a new product to market. But that’s where the real growth happens. It’s in those moments of doubt, when you’re questioning everything, that you find out what you’re truly made of.
What my patient taught me is that true grit isn’t about pushing through at all costs. It’s about knowing when to rest, when to seek help, and when to change tactics. It’s about being kind to yourself in the process. This is something I wish more founders would understand. Too often, they’re so focused on the end goal that they forget to take care of themselves along the way. Burnout is real, and it’s as detrimental to a founder as it is to an IVF patient. I’ve seen it time and time again in my practice and in the startups I’ve invested in.
The lesson here is simple, yet profound: Success, whether in IVF or in startups, isn’t guaranteed, but the journey is where the real value lies. It’s in the lessons learned, the resilience built, and the relationships forged. My patient’s journey isn’t over, but her unwavering determination and resilience have inspired me. They remind me that even when the path is fraught with challenges, there’s always a way forward if you’re willing to keep pushing and adapting.
As I reflect on her story, I’m reminded of what my last IVF patient taught me about founder persistence. It’s this persistence, this refusal to give up, that ultimately leads to success. Whether you’re trying to bring a new life into this world or a new idea to fruition, the key is to keep going, to keep believing, and to keep learning from every setback.
In the end, it’s not the destination that matters as much as how you get there. So, to my patient and every founder out there facing their own uphill battles, remember: Grit isn’t about never falling. It’s about getting up every time you do. And that, my friends, is where the magic happens.