At least the recruiters you spoke with were upfront about expectations. Do you know if there was WLB as one got into a more senior role and climbed the corporate ladder there?
This past summer I did some contracting work, putting in 80+ hr work weeks, 7 days/week. Management figured I had nothing better to do cause of covid, so they just piled on work. I'm not complaining about the work, it molded me to be a better employee. I was also fairly compensated for my time. But my health was so bad. Blood pressure sky-rocketed, resting heart rate in the 80's as a mid 20's male. Eyes red when I woke up every day. Blurry long distance vision.
Now that I have balance between work/life, I am back to an excellent blood pressure & RHR. Eyes all fine again. I learned an extremely valuable lesson last summer to never forgo life & free-time.
edit: I don't have a problem working more than a 40 hr work week. In fact, my worldview believes it is necessary to work more than the average person. I found out I can stay healthy and happy by taking Friday nights and Saturdays off. I ideally try to work/learn 55-57 hours in a normal week.