Leadership Journeys [271] - Fredrik Meurling - “Great leaders know when to turn it on and when to let go.”
Mon Feb 02 2026
This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.
I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.
In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Fredrik Meurling—CEO of Yazen Health—shares what it really takes to lead a fast-growing healthcare startup without losing your soul (or your sanity).
We talk about the tension between passion and metrics, why sustainable results matter more than vanity numbers, and what happens when leadership shifts from “doing everything” to building leaders around you.
Fredrik offers an honest look at scaling in a heavily regulated industry, navigating uncertainty, and staying mission-driven when the pressure is on.
If you’re a founder or leader wrestling with growth, energy, and impact, this conversation will feel uncomfortably familiar—in the best way.
You can find Fredrik Meurling at the links below
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-meurling-2477421/https://www.yazen.com/In the interview, Fredrik shares
“I’ve always been drawn to early- and mid-stage companies—the energy, the uncertainty, and the challenge of finding real product–market fit.”“What hooked me about startups wasn’t the title or the metrics; it was the adrenaline of building something that didn’t exist yet.”“Healthcare isn’t just another industry—you’re dealing with regulation, culture, and real human lives, all at the same time.”“At Yazen, we don’t see obesity as a simple calorie problem; it’s a complex disease that requires a holistic solution.”“Medication alone isn’t the answer—sustainable weight loss only happens when lifestyle change and coaching are part of the journey.”“Our North Star metric is sustained weight loss, because if we get that right, the revenue follows.”“Leadership, especially as a CEO, is a constant exercise in knowing when to lean in and when to let go.”“As the company grows, my job shifts from doing the work to creating the conditions where others can lead.”“Scaling across Europe forces you to balance speed with responsibility—especially in a regulated healthcare environment.”“Great leadership isn’t about being ‘on’ all the time; it’s about managing your energy so you don’t burn out while building something meaningful.”
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This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast. I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name. In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Fredrik Meurling—CEO of Yazen Health—shares what it really takes to lead a fast-growing healthcare startup without losing your soul (or your sanity). We talk about the tension between passion and metrics, why sustainable results matter more than vanity numbers, and what happens when leadership shifts from “doing everything” to building leaders around you. Fredrik offers an honest look at scaling in a heavily regulated industry, navigating uncertainty, and staying mission-driven when the pressure is on. If you’re a founder or leader wrestling with growth, energy, and impact, this conversation will feel uncomfortably familiar—in the best way. You can find Fredrik Meurling at the links below https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-meurling-2477421/https://www.yazen.com/In the interview, Fredrik shares “I’ve always been drawn to early- and mid-stage companies—the energy, the uncertainty, and the challenge of finding real product–market fit.”“What hooked me about startups wasn’t the title or the metrics; it was the adrenaline of building something that didn’t exist yet.”“Healthcare isn’t just another industry—you’re dealing with regulation, culture, and real human lives, all at the same time.”“At Yazen, we don’t see obesity as a simple calorie problem; it’s a complex disease that requires a holistic solution.”“Medication alone isn’t the answer—sustainable weight loss only happens when lifestyle change and coaching are part of the journey.”“Our North Star metric is sustained weight loss, because if we get that right, the revenue follows.”“Leadership, especially as a CEO, is a constant exercise in knowing when to lean in and when to let go.”“As the company grows, my job shifts from doing the work to creating the conditions where others can lead.”“Scaling across Europe forces you to balance speed with responsibility—especially in a regulated healthcare environment.”“Great leadership isn’t about being ‘on’ all the time; it’s about managing your energy so you don’t burn out while building something meaningful.”