MegaMaker - Follow-up: is 40+ too old?

I didn't expect the last newsletter to generate so much debate! It ended up getting posted to Hacker News. Aaron and Ian talked about it on Mostly Technical, and many other folks responded in comments and emails.

Some folks felt the tone was too pessimistic/defeatist. Others felt like I was discouraging older founders from starting companies. (I also had quite a few folks who responded and resonated with the spirit of the post).

I recorded a response to all this feedback here:

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A few highlights:

• Acknowledging reality isn't pessimism - it's wisdom. Our bodies and brains change throughout our lives. This is true when we grow from 0-10, during puberty, and as we age over 40. The key is adapting and leveraging our strengths at each stage.
• A few readers pointed out the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep in maintaining cognitive function. They're right - we can positively influence how we age through healthy habits. But we can also be honest about natural changes while being realistic about our capabilities.
• I'm not saying that people over 40 can't or shouldn't start companies. Research shows founders with 3+ years of experience in their industry are twice as likely to build successful companies. I'm just recognizing that many of us who have been doing this for 15-20 years are entering a new stage of life.
• ​Rob Walling is a great example of someone who's adapted his career as he's aged. He sold Drip and now focuses on investing, making content, and running MicroConf. Now, instead of trying to harness the "raw horsepower" of his youth, he's leveraging his wisdom, experience, and resources.
• I understand the critique that this can feel like people who have "made it" being a downer to those who are still building. I address that in the video above & the audio below.

If you prefer to listen to this as an audio podcast, it's here:

JUSTIN'S BRAIN • EPISODE 9 Too old to be a founder? 18:50 MORE INFO

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To be clear, I love being 44. The beauty of being a 40+ founder is that you can build on decades of experience, connections, and resources. You may not have the same raw energy as your 25-year-old self, but like Bob Dylan said: "you can do other things now" that you couldn't back then.

I'm curious to hear what you think! Please reply here, on Bluesky, or leave a comment on YouTube.

Cheers,
Justin Jackson
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