I worked 14-hour days at a startup. A stage 3 cancer diagnosis changed how I succeeded at Netflix and Meta.
Business Insider
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
David Ronca’s journey from working 14-hour days at a startup to achieving success at Netflix and Meta highlights the transformative power of redefining work-life balance. After being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2004, Ronca realized that his grueling work schedule was not only detrimental to his health but also unproductive. He learned that true success comes from intentional work—prioritizing quality over quantity—and balancing life outside of work.
During his early career at a startup focused on video systems, Ronca was pushed to work excessively long hours, often exceeding 80 hours a week. The company lacked clear direction, leading to wasted effort and burnout. This exhausting routine ended abruptly when he received a cancer diagnosis, forcing him to reevaluate his approach to both work and life. After surgery and recovery, Ronca returned to work part-time, determined not to repeat the mistakes of his past.
Ronca’s experience taught him that hours worked are not a measure of success. At Netflix, where he joined the early streaming team, he thrived by focusing on impactful results rather than excessive time投入. He contributed significantly to projects like launching the Netflix app for the iPad within two months. Later at Meta, he embraced a culture that valued productivity over 24/7 availability.
Ronca’s story underscores the importance of intentional work and maintaining a healthy balance between career and personal life. For anyone in business, his lessons highlight that success is not about how much time you spend but the quality of your output and the well-being it supports.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/22/2026