Would you put your life on hold to become a hedge fund trader?

Dang, I at my Dog and I ate my cat and they still didnt hire me.
And im a PHD

I've been in the industry for 10 yrs & never come across someone treating the job at a HF as "LIFESTYLE", neither being passionate about the role. ALL THEY CARE IS MONEY & FAME, that's the ultimate goal. Perhaps some start up founders are passionate in the initial stage but get washed away when the fund size grows along the way with no PASSIONALITY left.

If you have to ask the question "Is it worth it?" then you are in the wrong business. True performers who are passionate about returns enjoy the journey to excellence. It's a lifestyle - not a job. You only understand 'being in the zone' if you've ever reached the performance objectives synonymous with star traders. If you have to even answer this question - it was never meant to be. Try another profession.
My 2 ticks worth...

Oh and the wife you had will get to know you and she will leave.
I think this is the best comment of all!
It is not a lifestyle, it's a deathstyle.
I think humanity achieved more while Einstein was walking around Princeton campus than while these guys turn around their portfolios.
However, if they get $300m I am sure they wouldn't mind taking one call per day from me, my contract will be to tell them one joke per day.
I am sure for them it's worth $1m.
Still, I would record the joke during the day and have it played back in their ears at night so I can take my sleep.

People seem to think that you put in the best part of a decade like this, get the money and get out. Get out to what?

These people won't have a life to go to and if they did wouldn't enjoy it. Being high on stress and adrenaline for ten years,then hitting the golf course doesn't work, its a short route to the cemetry from there. Oh and the wife you had will get to know you and she will leave.