
Podcast
Podcast
Jim Donnelly has spent the last 25 years building, scaling, and selling companies across travel, fitness, and wellness — but his newest venture, Humanaut Health, might be his most meaningful yet.
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Jim shares how his father’s lessons on failure, his own near-death accident, and a career in scaling global businesses shaped his outlook on resilience, purpose, and family. With over $17 million raised and 100 locations planned, Humanaut Health is redefining health optimization for a new generation — and Jim’s story reminds us that optimism and perspective might be the greatest entrepreneurial tools of all.
Jim Donnelly is the Co-Founder and CEO of Humanaut Health, a premium longevity clinic redefining what it means to age well. With a mission to help people live with more joy and less disease, discomfort, and uncertainty, Humanaut Health delivers an integrated care experience that combines medical expertise, behavioral science, and long-term health optimization.
Unlike traditional healthcare, Humanaut takes a whole-person approach — addressing not just the absence of disease but also energy, mobility, strength, and sexual health. The company offers multidimensional assessments, personalized medical care, and ongoing lifestyle support through a tiered membership model that makes comprehensive longevity care more accessible.
Before launching Humanaut Health, Jim co-founded Restore Hyper Wellness, one of the fastest-growing franchises in the U.S., recognized for transforming the recovery and wellness space. Under his leadership, Restore achieved multiple national honors, including:
#27 – Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Texas
#17 – Fortune Top Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma
#1 – Inc. Magazine’s Hottest Franchise Businesses in America
#91 – Entrepreneur Franchise 500
Best in Business – Inc. Magazine
Prior to Restore, Jim co-founded IgoUgo.com, a Webby Award-winning travel platform named the top travel website in the U.S. The company pioneered user-generated travel content and was later acquired by Sabre Holdings / Travelocity.
Jim has also built and managed a diverse portfolio in luxury real estate and wellness, developing high-end condominiums for clients such as Michael Jordan, Cam Newton, and Chris Daughtry, as well as designing salons, spas, and the Charlotte Athletic Club. These experiences — spanning digital innovation, hospitality, and human performance — all contributed to the creation of Humanaut’s holistic health model.
Across his ventures, Jim’s work centers on one theme: helping people live longer, better, and more purposefully.
Jim Donnelly has spent the last 25 years building, scaling, and selling companies across travel, fitness, and wellness — but his newest venture, Humanaut Health, might be his most meaningful yet.
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Jim shares how his father’s lessons on failure, his own near-death accident, and a career in scaling global businesses shaped his outlook on resilience, purpose, and family. With over $17 million raised and 100 locations planned, Humanaut Health is redefining health optimization for a new generation — and Jim’s story reminds us that optimism and perspective might be the greatest entrepreneurial tools of all.
• Early Career: From the U.S. Army to corporate roles at Coca-Cola and Citibank.
• Big Challenge: Witnessing his father’s business failures and surviving a near-fatal car crash.
• Turning Point: Selling Restore Hyper Wellness and launching Humanaut Health with renewed purpose.
• Personal Growth: Redefined success around family, faith, and presence.
• Business Success: Raised $17M and building 100+ locations focused on longevity and preventative health.
• Future Vision: Make health optimization accessible, holistic, and life-changing for everyone.
👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Jim Donnelly
• Website: humanauthealth.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdonnellyhumanaut/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanauthealth/