The Real Cost of Burnout: Tazer Black on Building Culture & Protecting Your Energy
Success looks effortless from the outside.
- Sold-out events.
- Hit podcasts.
- Viral moments.
But behind every successful brand are long nights, difficult decisions and the constant challenge of protecting your energy.
We caught up with entrepreneur, creative and long-time friend of BOOD, Tazer Black, to talk about building culture, avoiding burnout and redefining what success really means.
From co-founding RnB Slow Jamz, to co-hosting one of the UK's most influential podcasts, 3Shots of Tequila, and creating unforgettable experiences through Faded, Tazer has spent years building communities, shaping culture and bringing people together.
BUT behind every sold-out event, successful brand and viral clip is something that doesn't always make the highlight reel: pressure.
At BOOD, we're passionate about conversations around wellness, burnout, energy and living healthier lives. So we caught up with long-time friend of BOOD, entrepreneur and cultural powerhouse Tazer Black, to talk about building brands, protecting your energy and what success really looks like today.
The Work Nobody Sees
Everyone sees the podcast, the launch, the sold-out events. What's something people don't see about building brands?
"I guess the hard work that goes behind it. The late-night phone calls, brainstorming, going back and forth with ideas, picking times and dates to execute. The hustle & bustle before you actually get the date, location, the ad, the visual. There's a lot of leg work that goes on behind all of that."
Every successful brand has one thing in common:
- The audience sees the result.
- Very few people see the years of work behind it.
Protecting Your Energy
Have you ever looked around and realised you're running on empty?
"Nah - I haven't you know. I think I've managed to coast to a degree. Outside of work there is also family stuff. I think as time has passed, I've managed to find a balance between the two & I'm also very proactive in knowing what I'm doing ahead of time so I can fit things in as well. I'm including things like family time, friends, me time. I mean there has been times where I've had an event 10 days in a row – back-to-back to back. But then I'd have another 10 days off after that. So, knowing that I'd charge up, allow my battery to charge up, and whatever battery is left at the end up – rest up & charge up again."
For many people, it looks more like replying to emails when you're exhausted, skipping rest because you're "too busy" and convincing yourself you'll slow down next week.
Until next week becomes next month.
And next month becomes next year.
What Burnout Really Costs
What's the real cost of burnout? Not financially. Personally.
"Mentally. If you're someone who's worried about how time you've spent with family and friends or time to dedicate to other stuff you like to do (hobbies, past times) some people want a balance. Whereas I kind of look at it like – i commend those people who are obsessed with what they're working towards. So, if you asked those people, there is no cost. They're dedicated - f they must go to bed early to up early then so be it. They're happy to do so.
I think the real cost of burnout comes when people are fighting what they supposed to do. Of course, it may have a detrimental effect on your health if you're not having early nights because you know you need to be up early for example.
The cost is the sacrifice you've got to be willing to make to achieve what you want – and explaining it to other people how that they will understand, because keeping people around that don't understand what you're trying to achieve can also have a negative effect also.
It all depends how you choose to look at it & navigate through it, but ultimately the stuff you know you're not supposed to do – will come at a cost.
People often glorify the grind. Far fewer people talk about the recovery bill."
Tazer's perspective on burnout was refreshing. Because the true cost of burnout often isn't measured in money. It's measured in missed moments. Lost energy. Shortened patience. Relationships that don't always get the best version of you.
When Life Gets Busy
When life gets busy, what's usually the first thing to suffer? Sleep? Diet? Training? Relationships?
"SLEEP. I'm someone who likes to dabble in a tv show or a movie, so I have to find the time to do that as well as focus on what I'm doing – but I'm getting better at it."
It's funny how quickly the fundamentals disappear when life gets hectic.
Sleep | Movement | Hydration | Good nutrition.
The very things that support our mental and physical wellbeing are usually the first things we sacrifice.
Filling Your Cup
You've spent years creating experiences and moments for other people. What gives you energy?
"I think in regard to what pours into my cup is seeing people enjoying the experiences and moments – I have been fortunate to be a part of a team that creates those. For me that's great – which plays into why i picked up a camera and wanted to start documenting was happening. Some times I come home and look back at what I've captures and see who was there, who was enjoying and that makes me happy, that makes me warm inside. One day I'm going to create a photo books & albums - people can then look back at the moments.
The moments that lead to other things...
We've created relationships, friendships for life, BABIES even out of some of the experiences we've created. That for me is very fulfilling. Knowing that people are having a good time and seeing something has been executed well that also gives me energy to want to do it again or tick it off the bucket list "we did this""
One thing we always come back to at BOOD is that energy looks different for everyone.
- For some people it's movement.
- For others it's family.
- Music.
- Faith.
- Travel.
- Purpose.
The important thing is knowing what fills your cup before life empties it.
Wellness Habits
What's one wellness habit you've adopted that you wish you'd started 10 years ago?
"STRETCHING for the sake of STRETCHING. I've dedicated way more time to stretching that I used too and my body feels so much better for it!"
If you've been following BOOD for a while, you'll know we're not interested in complicated wellness.
Most of the habits that genuinely improve our lives are surprisingly simple:
- Better sleep
- More water
- More movement
- Better boundaries
- More consistency
Not sexy. Just effective.
And alongside these healthy habits, many people also choose to support their overall wellness routine with nutrient-rich foods and supplements such as sea moss as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Success Looks Different Now
What does success mean to you today compared to when you first started?
"Well, the games changed a lot. I know when we were younger we all had desires to be famous – that was a big thing, fame and attention. For me now, it's just to be able to look after me, my family, friends and inner circle. Knowing that they're all good.
When you think about it on a day-to-day a lot of people are working hard and don't have a good place to experience down time & escapism. So knowing I'm in a position where i can create an environment like that and you know you're going to have a good time because there's a difference between going out and hoping to have a good time and KNOWING you'll have a good time.
I think there are a lot of challenges that prevent us from having a number of those places to go, o knowing that I'm one of those places – the experiences create with my team that is success too me."
When we're younger, success often looks like achievement. As we get older, many of us realise success looks a lot more like balance.
- Being healthy enough to enjoy what you've built.
- Having time for the people you care about.
- Waking up with energy.
- Being fully present.
Final Thoughts
Burnout doesn't always look like breaking down. Sometimes it looks like carrying on.
Showing up. Delivering. Smiling. While quietly running on empty.
Our conversation with Tazer Black is a reminder that success and wellbeing don't have to exist at opposite ends of the spectrum. The goal isn't simply to build something successful—it's to build a life you're healthy enough to enjoy.
Whether that means protecting your sleep, creating stronger boundaries, prioritising movement, fuelling your body with better nutrition or supporting your wellness journey with sea moss, investing in your health is never time wasted.
A huge thank you to Tazer for taking the time to sit down with us and share his perspective.
Life is BOOD. 🌱