Maryland tech executive's reset inspires broader message for Men's Mental Health Month
What if the strongest thing a man can do is step away?
That's exactly what Leon Burns, a Maryland tech executive, did this spring.
The President and CEO of Open Technology Group unplugged from his demanding corporate life, taking a 23-day reset in Cancun, focused on rest, reflection, and therapy.
"Kind of getting away from the mundane really allowed me to do a deep dive and figure out some things that I could have been doing differently or more efficiently in my life," Burns said.
"Gave me a much clearer vision"
For Burns, the time away wasn't about escape. It was about realignment.
"It made me realize that I needed to reconnect with family a little bit more, because work had gotten so hectic," Burns said. "It also gave me a much clearer vision as to other things that I could be doing to help others."
Resonating with Black men
Burns' message resonates not only with men in high-pressure jobs but especially with Black men, who often feel pressured to suppress vulnerability.
Licensed therapist Arnold Hicks says breaks like this aren't signs of weakness, but they are acts of strength.
"You sometimes don't know how much you need the reset until you step away from it," Hicks said. "We are not rewarded for vulnerability. It's not something we have ever been taught as a strength or a skill."
Value of boundaries, resisting temptation
Burns also learned the value of boundaries — a tool both he and Hicks say is vital in preventing burnout and building emotional resilience.
"Setting boundaries is the beginning of you taking control of your life," Hicks said. "Most people are good at setting boundaries with others, but not themselves."
Burns agrees that sharing that he's learned to resist the temptation to always be on.
"I learned over those 23 days in Cancun to step away — and that created a much healthier version of myself," Burns said.
For those in leadership roles, Hicks says guilt shouldn't be the driving force behind staying overworked.
"It's not selfish to step away. What's selfish is knowing you're on empty and continuing to give people a lesser version of you," Hicks said. "You're not helping them, or yourself."
Now, as Men's Mental Health Month unfolds, both men are urging others to take action.
"Even if you feel unloved or unsupported, there is help out there," Hicks said. "You don't have to go through it alone."
By the numbers: Men's Mental Health
According to the CDC and Mental Health America:
1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, but fewer than half receive treatment.
Suicide rates among men are nearly four times higher than among women.
Only 1 in 3 Black adults in need of mental health care receive it.
76% of men in high-stress jobs report feeling burned out.
Burns and Hicks hope stories like this remind men — especially Black men — that self-care isn't optional. It's essential.
"Give yourself the permission to reset and rest," Burns said. "That's not weakness. That's wisdom."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Franklin County home listings asked for more money in May - see the current median price here
The median home in Franklin County listed for $364,900 in May, up 1.2% from the previous month's $360,720, an analysis of data from shows. Compared to May 2024, the median home list price increased 13.2% from $324,723. The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale in Franklin County, not houses that were sold. Information on your local housing market, along with other useful community data, is available at Franklin County's median home was 1,968 square feet, listed at $183 per square foot. The price per square foot of homes for sale is up 2.2% from May 2024. Listings in Franklin County moved briskly, at a median 36 days listed compared to the May national median of 51 days on the market. In the previous month, homes had a median of 38 days on the market. Around 196 homes were newly listed on the market in May, a 7.7% increase from 182 new listings in May 2024. The median home prices issued by may exclude many, or even most, of a market's homes. The price and volume represent only single-family homes, condominiums or townhomes. They include existing homes, but exclude most new construction as well as pending and contingent sales. In Pennsylvania, median home prices were $325,000, a slight increase from April. The median Pennsylvania home listed for sale had 1,708 square feet, with a price of $196 per square foot. Throughout the United States, the median home price was $440,000, a slight increase from the month prior. The median American home for sale was listed at 1,840 square feet, with a price of $234 per square foot. The median home list price used in this report represents the midway point of all the houses or units listed over the given period of time. Experts say the median offers a more accurate view of what's happening in a market than the average list price, which would mean taking the sum of all listing prices then dividing by the number of homes sold. The average can be skewed by one particularly low or high price. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu. Our News Automation and AI team would like to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Franklin County home listings asked for more money in May - see the current median price here
Associated Press
22 minutes ago
- Associated Press
SHAREHOLDER REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Compass Diversified
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $100,000 In Compass To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $100,000 in Compass stock or options between May 1, 2024 and May 7, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 20, 2025) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Compass Diversified ('Compass' or the 'Company') (NYSE: CODI) and reminds investors of the July 8, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the Company's subsidiary, Lugano Holdings, Inc., maintained unrecorded financing arrangements and irregularities in its sales, cost of sales, inventory, and accounts receivable; (2) the irregularities and undisclosed details in Lugano Holdings, Inc.'s financial statements rendered the financial statements of the Company as a whole unreliable, and would require restatement; (3) the Company failed to maintain adequate internal controls related to its financial statements; and (4) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. On May 7, 2025, after the market closed, the Company disclosed that its financial statements for fiscal year 2024 should no longer be relied upon in response to an ongoing internal investigation into the Company's subsidiary, Lugano Holding, Inc. The Company revealed that the investigation 'has preliminarily identified irregularities in Lugano's non-CODI financing, accounting, and inventory practices' and that "[e]ffective May 7, 2025, Lugano's founder and CEO, Moti Ferder, resigned from all of his positions at Lugano and will not receive any severance compensation.' On this news, Compass Diversified stock price fell 8% during after-hours trading on May 7, 2025, thereby injuring investors. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Compass' conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Compass Diversified investigation, go to or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Associated Press
22 minutes ago
- Associated Press
MountBay Energy Unlocks Microbial Biofilm Technology to Revolutionize Battery Longevity
NEW YORK, June 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MountBay Energy has unveiled groundbreaking research on microbial biofilms that could redefine the future of grid-scale energy storage. The study, led by founder Vrushabhraj Tanawade, introduces a bio-integrated insulation method using thermophilic and mesophilic microbial consortia to regulate heat inside battery modules. The results are striking: up to a 22% reduction in internal temperature and a 30% improvement in carbon lifecycle efficiency. 'This innovation is about biology meeting infrastructure,' says Tanawade. 'We've discovered how nature's mechanisms can dramatically extend the life of our clean energy systems.' Unlike conventional synthetic cooling solutions, MountBay's microbial approach is circular, biodegradable, and scalable—opening up new frontiers for climate resilience and fire-risk reduction in hot environments. The research aligns perfectly with MountBay's mission to power the AI economy through clean, sustainable, and advanced infrastructure. It also positions the company as a frontrunner in biological material integration across the energy sector. Additionally, MountBay has released a preliminary transformative feasibility report for a Lunar Solar Belt—a continuous solar array on the Moon that can beam uninterrupted, clean energy back to Earth. The report outlines how in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), autonomous lunar robotics, and microwave power transmission could enable the construction of a moon-based solar plant by the 2030s. With an energy return on investment (EROI) of 8:1, the system offers a scalable, emission-free solution to humanity's growing power demands. 'This is not just an energy project—it's a civilization-scale investment in global stability,' said Tanawade. 'We believe the Moon should be a cooperative utility, not a geopolitical race.' MountBay is also proposing a new diplomatic framework—The Earth-Moon Energy Accord (EMEA)—to ensure equitable access, safety, and international cooperation. The concept directly supports MountBay's mission: to push the frontiers of clean power while securing energy independence for AI-driven economies. Tanawade is rallying governments, institutions, and innovators to join him. 'It's time for America to lead the most ambitious energy project in human history,' he said. Media Contact: Vrushabhraj Tanawade Founder @ MountBay Energy Contact : [email protected] Website: Linkedin: Linkedin - Vrushabhraj T Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MountBay Energy. The statements, views, and opinions expressed are solely those of the provider and do not necessarily reflect those of this media platform or its publisher. Any names or brands mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners. No endorsement or guarantee is made regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct independent research and consult qualified professionals. The publisher is not liable for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from the use or publication of this content. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
