Fired Tesla Exec Says, “I Was With Elon Nearly Every Single Day During Model 3 Hell” Inside the Cutthroat World of Elon Musk's Tesla

Can Tesla overcome its recent internal and external challenges?

The recent and unexpected departure of Omid Afshar, a key figure in Tesla's Model 3 ramp-up and a long-standing executive, has sent shockwaves through the automotive world. His sudden exit has left many in the industry not just curious, but also deeply intrigued and eager for more details about the implications of his departure.

While we don't have many details, a report from Automotive News says, "News of the exit has circulated internally among some employees in recent days, said the people, who asked not to be identified, discussing internal information. Afshar's name no longer appeared in an internal directory, two of the people said. The reason for the change and his plans weren't immediately clear."

Afshar, a name synonymous with Tesla's tumultuous yet ultimately triumphant Model 3 ramp-up, is out. And it was a quiet firing that tells a story that things may not be rainbows and lollipops at Tesla.

In this report, I'll speculate about the culture at Tesla, discussing how success is fleeting and revealing what I've discovered about the high price one pays to achieve it. Omid Afshar reveals what it was like inside Tesla. 

For those who have tracked Tesla's meteoric rise, Afshar wasn't just another name on an organizational chart; he was a visible, often vocal presence, particularly during what Omead Afshar describes in his X post as "Model 3 hell."

Afshar's own social media posts painted a vivid picture of unwavering dedication, frequently placing him alongside Musk during critical moments. His commitment, chronicled through spending holidays and countless late nights pushing the boundaries of what seemed possible, particularly in 2018 when the Model 3 was the do-or-die mission, is a testament to his unwavering dedication. 

Omead says on X post, 

I was with Elon nearly every single day during the Model 3 development phase. This included Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, his birthday, and almost missing his brother's wedding. 

He left the factory to fly straight there, barely making it as he was helping resolve production challenges and being present with the associates and the whole team. 

From countless firsthand experiences, I cannot begin to describe the immense personal sacrifice and commitment made by Elon directly from the front line. 

I took the photo below on the day of his birthday, close to midnight. We were stationed at Paint Ingress, Station 1911, resolving a constraint that affected the entire production system. 

The tenacity and willingness to perform any job, driving us to excel, are unwavering. 

When I started Giga Texas, Elon slept on-site for some time. His direct ask, which people on the team didn't even believe at first: "Your goal is not to let me sleep. The machines must run continuously, 24/7.

It was an awesome fire to have lit and drove us all. From the initial site, you see below with mining pits that were 30' deep to producing 1,000 cars a week in less than 2 years.

It was an intense, almost cult-like commitment to be high on the Tesla chain.

Omead Afshar's recounting of being "with Elon nearly every single day during Model 3 hell," sacrificing personal milestones like holidays and even nearly missing a family wedding, speaks volumes about the intense, almost cult-like commitment often demanded within Tesla's inner circle. 

This wasn't just a job for Afshar.

By his own account, it was his all-consuming life. However, there is a price to be paid for achieving such success. 

Let's break from Omead Afshar for a minute, but it will give a glimpse of what life at Tesla was like.  

The Cost of the Climb

It's a seductive trap for the driven: your job isn't just what you do; it becomes who you are. The lines blur, and suddenly, success isn't a goal; it's your entire identity. This all-consuming pursuit, while shiny on the surface, exacts a brutal toll on the very foundations of a fulfilling life, highlighting the need for a healthy work-life balance.

The Erosion of Connection

Personal relationships are often the first casualty of an all-consuming professional life. Friends and family, the bedrock of our support system, bear the brunt of this imbalance. Time, energy, and emotional availability—finite resources that should nourish these bonds—are relentlessly siphoned off by work. What's left for loved ones is often a depleted shell, leading to strained connections, growing distance, and, ultimately, a chilling sense of isolation.

The Body Keeps the Score

Equally imperiled is our health. The relentless grind of long hours, chronic stress, and unyielding pressure to perform inevitably manifests in both physical and mental ailments. Sleep deprivation, hurried and unhealthy eating habits, a glaring absence of exercise, and the insidious creep of anxiety and depression become constant companions in an all-consuming professional life.

A Pandemic Awakening

My wake-up call arrived with the pandemic. I was deeply entrenched in a high-stress, full-time job. I was constantly battling illness, feeling fulfilled by my achievements but utterly devoid of happiness. Yet, by society's metrics, I was undeniably successful.

Then COVID-19 struck with full force, forcing an abrupt halt. Two months of enforced idleness proved to be a profound eye-opener. I vividly recall the words of someone I deeply respect: "Don't waste this time; you will never have an opportunity like it again."

Opportunity for what?

It was an opportunity to pause, to reflect deeply, and to confront uncomfortable questions: If I don't change course, where will this path inevitably lead? What truly matters most, and what should I be dedicating my time to?

So, I began to reclaim myself. Every morning, with the first blush of sunrise, I exercised. I embarked on long, solitary hikes in the mountains, pushed myself during runs, and immersed myself in the quiet embrace of nature.

It wasn't just a routine; it was life-changing.

When the shelter-in-place order finally lifted, I returned to the world, but I was fundamentally altered. My focus had shifted from what I was accomplishing to who I was becoming. The old definition of success no longer resonated. Driven by this newfound clarity, I made a decisive choice: I quit my job and poured my energy into my true passion—writing.

Discovering the Thin Space

I poured my revelations into a fiction book (to be published this fall) exploring personal and spiritual growth, centered on the concept of a "thin space." It's an unseen realm, a place few ever truly find, where extraordinary transformation occurs if you dedicate enough time there.

This thin space isn't exclusive; anyone can discover it. But it demands a profound effort: you must shut out the noise. In our hyper-connected, 24-hour world, this feels almost impossible. 

Can you imagine leaving your cell phone behind for a few hours? Silencing the relentless stream of News? Yet, stepping away from the constant clamor can have a profoundly liberating effect, opening you to a different kind of connection—one that truly matters.

However, I digress.  

Back to Omead Afshar's sudden departure from Tesla. Ultimately, while the allure of success can be powerful, the high price it demands in terms of personal relationships and health often far outweighs the professional rewards. 

It's a critical reminder that true fulfillment stems not just from what we achieve in our careers but from the richness and balance we cultivate across all areas of our lives.

Even now, I have to be careful.

As an automotive journalist, I often focus on the gleaming metal and groundbreaking technology that roll out of Tesla's factories. 

I share stories of the cars and trucks people drive. Still, I often forget that behind every Tesla Cybertruck, Model 3, and every Gigafactory expansion, there's a story of relentless, frequently brutal dedication. 

The recent X post by former insider Omead Afshar offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the "Model 3 hell" and the subsequent Herculean effort at Giga Texas, revealing a side of Elon Musk that often gets lost in the headlines.

His departure, therefore, isn't just another executive reshuffle. It sparks questions about the current climate within Tesla and the enduring nature of loyalty, even for those who have given everything to the company's success. 

For a company built on a foundation of audacious goals and relentless execution, the firing of someone so intimately involved in one of its most pivotal moments suggests a shifting landscape, perhaps a new era where even past heroics don't guarantee continued tenure. 

The automotive world will be watching closely to see how this plays out and what it signifies for Tesla's future on the road ahead. Whatever happens, let's not forget that Omead Afshar is a real person, and his tenure at Tesla taught him and us valuable life lessons.

What Do You Think?

Can Tesla overcome its recent internal and external challenges? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: Chief Tesla Cybertruck Engineer Interview Is Revealing, “I Never Wanted To Be the Next Elon Musk or Whatever”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Omid Afshar X