Carrying the Fire: What Founders Learn on the Hardest Part of the Journey
- John Thornewill
- Nov 12
- 1 min read
There comes a moment in every journey - every startup, every mission worth pursuing - when the weight becomes too heavy for one person to bear alone.
The path grows steeper.
The fire that once burned bright begins to flicker.
Doubt creeps in, quiet but relentless, like the shadows of Mordor stretching across the horizon.
This is the point where many lose heart.
But it’s also where the best founders reveal who they truly are.
Because in the strongest teams, no one walks alone. When one stumbles, another reaches out their hand. When someone’s spirit falters, another steps forward to help carry the flame.
And when the burden feels impossibly heavy, a true founder doesn’t turn away. Instead, they say:
“I can’t carry your load… but I can carry you.”
That is the difference between a company and a fellowship.
Startups aren’t built by tireless heroes. They’re built by people who choose - again and again - not to leave their companions behind.
In the end, it’s not relentless individual strength that keeps a venture alive.
It’s the shared fire.
The willingness to carry one another.
The belief that the journey is worth it because you are not walking it alone.
John Thornewill
12th November 2025
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