We recently had to cancel an upcoming Lyona talk titled From Burnout to Balance. Sometimes events simply do not gather the momentum needed – but the conversation itself still feels worth sharing.
The session was going to be led by local wealth manager David Pegler, who spent many years working in the city before stepping away to build his own business closer to home.
Like many professionals, David experienced the pressures of corporate life first-hand: long commutes, constant targets, corporate lunches and dinners, and the slow creep of stress and imbalance that often accompanies career success. Despite rising income and professional recognition, something did not quite feel right. Over time he began to make small changes, focusing more on health, training for endurance events (including Ironman races and ultra-distance runs), and gradually reassessing what success actually meant.
Eventually he made a bigger decision: stepping away from the corporate ladder and creating his own firm. It was not always easy, but it brought something increasingly valuable, a greater sense of control, balance, and purpose. Through his work today, David often sees that wealth alone does not guarantee wellbeing. Some of the wealthiest people he meets are also the most stressed or unfulfilled…
In his words:
“Health buys years.
Wealth buys options.
Purpose makes both worthwhile.”
Much of his work now goes beyond spreadsheets and investment returns. It is about understanding people’s stories: their ambitions, their pressures, and what a fulfilling life actually looks like for them. One idea that often resonates is the concept of a “Freedom Number” – the level of financial independence that allows someone to make choices about work, time and life direction.
If you are curious about that idea, David recently wrote about it here: https://www.brightoncapital.co.uk/insights/freedom-number-financial-planning
And if the themes of health, wealth and life balance resonate with you, David is always happy to have a conversation with members of the Lyona community. Sometimes the most important step is simply starting the conversation.
P.S. If there is interest, we may look to run this event again later in the year. Drop us an email if you’re interested info@hurstworks.co.uk
