From triathlon training to boardroom leadership: What endurance builds
A lot has been written on this very topic, but I don’t think it ever gets old or cliché simply because the connection is so powerful and genuine, and every story is unique.
There are very accomplished business professionals out there who have also been great athletes. I have huge respect for these people.
Mine has been rather a journey of constant ups and downs, but eventually never giving up. Training for endurance sports, whether half-marathons, open-water swims, or different triathlons, has shaped my approach to leadership more than any textbook ever could. Each race or event is a journey of preparation, discipline, and execution, and every lesson on the road or in the water has a direct parallel in the boardroom.
Since 2013, I’ve finished three Ironman 70.3 races, countless sprint and Olympic distance events and most recently in 2025, I completed the Fort Lauderdale Publix Half Marathon in 1:58, which was followed by a sprint event in St. Petersburg and an Olympic triathlon (Mack Cycle 305) in Florida. For those who wonder my results, I did well in the sprint but crashed the wall in the run segment of the Olympic one, DM me for details of a hard lesson learned.😊
Recovering From Setbacks. This hasn’t been a smooth path for me at all.
Despite of balancing the tri training with the strength training, for years I’ve dealt with torn calves, severe Achilles tendonitis, meniscus tears in both knees (both operated), and two back hernias. Each injury forced a pause, a reset, and a slow rebuild. Every comeback taught me more about myself and my limits, and those lessons translate directly into how I lead and operate out in the business world.
Resilience, Mile After Mile. In endurance sports, there is always a moment when your body protests and your mind starts negotiating for comfort and relief. I have learned that resilience is not about ignoring the struggle, it is about embracing it, adjusting the pace, and finding ways to keep moving forward. In business, challenges rarely come in short bursts. They are often marathons of uncertainty, market shifts, or operational complexity. The leaders who thrive are those who stay the course when the finish line is nowhere in sight.
Ownership Without Excuses. On race day, there is no passing responsibility to someone else. If the swim is slow, if the bike is underpowered, or if the run falls apart, it is on you, nobody else. That mindset has shaped my leadership style: take full ownership of results, good or bad. Celebrate the wins, but just as importantly, own the setbacks and work relentlessly to improve. That is why I love the concept of "Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (Book alert)!
Focus With Flexibility. Triathlon training forces you to master multiple disciplines and know when to pivot focus – more swim drills this week, more bike volume next. In leadership, the same skill applies. Priorities shift, resources move, and opportunities emerge unexpectedly. The key is to stay laser-focused on the overarching goal while adapting the route to get there.
People Skills Power Performance. While triathlons can seem solitary, success is built on a network of coaches, training partners, and supporters. Encouragement, trust, and mutual accountability are as important as any training plan. In business, strong people skills – listening, motivating, challenging – create the culture that drives performance.
Why It Matters in Business Leadership. Endurance sports have taught me to start with intent and vision, lead with ownership and resilience, adapt under pressure, and connect with the right people who make the journey possible. Whether I am building teams, steering strategy, or delivering value, I carry that endurance mindset into every decision.
I am not doing this for the “flex” as unfortunately many do. I actually feed off of it. It fuels my body, mind and spirit, all at the same time, and gives me an edge, a smooth operating rhythm at work that no one can match or outpace easily.
The finish line is never the end; it is just the start of the next challenge.
What lessons from sport have shaped the way you lead?