Damon Lester on The Reality of Mental Health | 2026 Strategy Sessions

Episode #1234: Kicking off 2026, Paul and Kyle welcome Damon Lester for a deeply personal conversation about burnout, mental health, and leadership in retail auto. Damon opens up about his own breaking point—and why hustle culture may be costing the industry more than it realizes.

• Damon Lester shares how nonstop pressure from dealerships, associations, family, and personal loss led to burnout and a mental health crisis he could no longer outrun.
  • The industry’s obsession with perfection and constant performance leaves little room for leaders to grieve, rest, or admit they’re struggling—often with dangerous consequences.
  • Damon reframes leadership through the idea of “taking the cape off,” rejecting the superhero myth that leaders never sleep, stop, or need help.
  • Practical boundaries matter. Something as small as limiting phone access, removing devices from the dinner table, or protecting personal energy can begin the healing process.
  • The takeaway for 2026: leaders are human first. Titles, numbers, and stages come second—and sustainable leadership starts with honesty and breath.

0:00 Intro with Paul Daly & Kyle Mountsier
3:36 Damon Lester joins the show
4:15 What led to Damon’s burnout and mental crash
7:27 Why perfection culture is so damaging
8:22 What “taking the cape off” really means
12:03 Small boundaries leaders can start with

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Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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