Balancing the Grind with Jack Peagam, Co-Founder & CEO at Linkup

Jack Peagam is the Co-Founder & CEO at Linkup, an app that’s set to revolutionise the way we make connections and build friendships.

To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

Well, my career journey has been quite the rollercoaster ride so far. I started out as a cameraman in the film industry, where I was fortunate enough to work on a variety of exciting projects and hone my skills behind the camera.

However, as we all know, the film industry can be unpredictable, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and brought everything to a standstill, I had to get a little creative. That’s when I decided to take the leap and start my own business, co-founding an online fitness platform. It was a challenging but extremely rewarding experience, and I learned so much about building and growing a business from the ground up.

Fast forward almost 3 years, and I am the Co-Founder and CEO of Linkup, an app that’s set to revolutionise the way we make connections and build friendships. I’m really excited about where this new venture will take me, and can’t wait to see what the future holds. So far, it’s been a wild ride and I’m looking forward to seeing what other adventures come my way.

What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

Waking up at the crack of dawn may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me it’s just the beginning of a beautiful day. I’m a morning person, so I relish the opportunity to get my day started with a visit to the gym. I like to get my 10,000 steps in before I even sit down at my desk, because let’s be real, who has time to exercise after a long day of work?

After my sweat session, I come home, shower, and fuel up with some breakfast before diving into my workday. And when I say workday, I mean a solid 12 hours of productivity. The workday is a blur of meetings, brainstorming sessions (and a lot of admin!).

But hey, I can’t complain, because I absolutely love what I do. I’m very grateful to be able to spend my days doing what I love. Of course, even workaholics like myself need some downtime, so in the evenings I like to relax and unwind before heading to bed around midnight. A good night’s sleep is key to being productive the next day,

What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

To me, work-life balance means finding a healthy and sustainable balance between the time and energy I devote to my work and the time and energy I devote to my personal life. It means not letting work consume all of my thoughts and energy, and instead making sure that I have time for my friends, family, and personal interests.

I work to achieve this balance in a few different ways. First, I try to set clear boundaries between my work and personal time. This might mean setting aside specific times during the week for personal appointments or activities and I also make an effort to prioritise my tasks and focus on the most important ones first, so that I can be as productive as possible during business hours and free up more time for personal pursuits.

I also try to be flexible and open to adjusting my schedule when necessary, so that I can accommodate both work and personal commitments. Overall, achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process and it’s something that I constantly strive for. It’s important to me to be able to enjoy both my work and my personal life, and I believe that by finding a healthy balance, I can be more productive and fulfilled in both areas.

In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

In the past 12 months, I’ve picked up quite a few new habits that have changed my life for the better. One of the biggest ones has been my newfound love of reading, which I’ve always struggled with before.

It’s definitely improved my mental agility and vocabulary (I can now use “flummoxed” in a sentence without sounding like I’m trying too hard). I’ve found that setting aside dedicated reading time each day keeps me accountable and motivated. Plus, it’s a great way to relax and unwind after a long day.

In addition to diving into new worlds through the pages of a book, I’ve also made an effort to prioritise self-care and relaxation. It’s been a game-changer for my stress levels and overall well-being. Overall, I’m grateful for these new habits and look forward to seeing where they take me in the future.

Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

Yes, I have several favourite books, podcasts, and newsletters that I’d love to recommend. One of my favourite podcasts is Diary of a CEO. It’s a weekly show that features interviews with top business leaders and entrepreneurs, and I always find it to be incredibly informative and inspiring.

I also really enjoy NFT Scoop, a newsletter that covers the latest developments in the web3 space. As someone who is interested in blockchain and non-fungible tokens, I find it to be a great resource for staying up-to-date on the latest trends and news.

Finally, my favourite book that I’ve read in the last year is Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking read that has really helped me to develop a more mindful and purposeful approach to life. Overall, I highly recommend all of these resources to anyone who is looking to learn, grow, and be inspired.

If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

Definitely Elon Musk.

Musk is a successful entrepreneur and CEO of multiple companies, including SpaceX and Tesla. He is known for being a demanding and driven leader, and has been open about the fact that he works long hours and often sacrifices his personal life for the sake of his work.

He has spoken about his struggles with maintaining a healthy balance in the past. In an interview with The New York Times, Musk admitted that he worked up to 120 hours per week at the height of the development of the Tesla Model 3, and that this intense work schedule took a toll on his physical and mental health.

He also said that he has made an effort to improve his work-life balance in recent years, and has learned the importance of taking breaks and making time for rest and relaxation. Reading an interview with Musk about his experiences with work-life balance would be valuable because it would provide insight into how someone at the top of their field approaches this important aspect of life. It would also be an opportunity to learn from Musk’s mistakes and gain insights into how he has worked to improve his balance over time.

Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

First and foremost, it is important to remember that it is okay to prioritise different things at different times in your life. What works for you at one stage may not work at another, and that is completely normal.

It is also important to recognise that work-life balance looks different for everyone. Some people may thrive with a high degree of structure and separation between their work and personal lives, while others may prefer a more integrated approach. The key is to find what works for you and make sure you are taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Finally, it is important to remember to make time for the things that are important to you outside of work. This could be hobbies, relationships, or personal growth opportunities. It is easy to get caught up in the demands of work, but it is important to make time for the things that bring you joy and fulfillment.

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