Business Growth Lessons From Half-Ironman Training

Building a business and training for a grueling endurance race look totally different on the surface, but dig deeper, and you'll find the mindset needed for both is almost identical. Neither happens overnight. Both need long-term commitment, a plan, staying power, and a willingness to push through when things get tough.

The first big lesson in endurance training is all about pacing. A sprint mentality fails in a race that lasts all day, just like in business. Entrepreneurs who go full throttle without thinking about staying power often flame out before hitting their goals. The winners know when to push hard and ease up, ensuring they keep moving forward over the long haul.

Structure matters too. 

Endurance athletes don't just train whenever they feel like it. 

They follow a plan, build strength step by step, and track their progress along the way. Business owners who wing it without a strategy often get stuck or overwhelmed. I have been there countless times because I was winging it. Real growth comes from steady, planned improvement, rather than reacting to whatever comes up.

Being able to adapt is crucial. No endurance race ever goes exactly as planned. Weather shifts, equipment problems, or on-course injuries force athletes to adjust on the fly. Business owners face the same issues with changing markets, economic downturns, or new competitors. The ability to shift direction while keeping your eye on the finish line separates winners from everyone else.

Both business and endurance racing demand mental toughness. The hardest part is pushing forward when everything feels impossible. People who succeed are the ones who trust the process, keep showing up, and understand that winning isn't about speed but about staying in the game until you cross the finish line.

I've completed one half-Ironman, five marathons, and a handful of half-marathons. I’ve also built six successful businesses. 

The biggest lesson I've learned? 

Success in both comes down to the same thing: showing up consistently, following your plan, and having the guts to keep going when most people would quit. Whether crossing a finish line or hitting a financial goal, the principles that get you there are almost identical.