Just a few years ago, L.A. comedian Zane Helberg was being swallowed by his job: he was working upwards of 80 hours a week as a restaurant manager for a small chain called Fat Sal’s, where he was on call 24-7 for any issues that came up among the various restaurant locations. He gained weight, getting up to nearly 100 pounds over his usual size, and he was miserable. He somehow found a small opening of hope through a couple of key self-help gurus, and by changing his routine and his work protocol, he managed to gradually dig himself out of the hole he was in, and got back to his desired career of being a comedian. He’s recently developed a series of comedy events for a recovery-based audience (and sometimes they’re held at rehab centers ) and has become his own boss, giving himself the freedom to live a lifestyle that’s more low-key, creative and rewarding, and though money is tight – he’s been close to broke more than once since forging this new path – he wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Epis. #38: Zane Helberg, Los Angeles comedian and former restaurant worker, on getting off the treadmill of an all-consuming job and striking out on his own
