<![CDATA[Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H-KR!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e1bc3bd-2637-49cc-9815-b948665d3d68_608x608.pngChief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonoughhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.comSubstackSun, 27 Sep 2026 21:27:39 GMT<![CDATA[From Antarctica to the IVF Clinic: Why Unapologetic Audacity Wins in Business]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/from-antarctica-to-the-ivf-clinichttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/from-antarctica-to-the-ivf-clinicFri, 25 Sep 2026 16:00:27 GMT

When former M&A lawyer and polar explorer Jenny Wordsworth walked into a venture capital pitch, the investor barely looked up. He lazily asked her to begin.

Then she flipped to slide one: a photo of her skiing solo across Antarctica.

The investor sat straight up. The pitch about financial models and unit economics instantly took back seat to a much larger story—one about grit, multi-year preparation, and pulling through a harrowing, life-threatening expedition.

In the latest episode of the Chief Endurance Officer Podcast, host Greg McDonough sits down with Jenny, the founder and CEO of Ovum, to unpack how dragging a necrotic, split-open leg across 700 miles of ice prepared her to shake up the UK fertility industry.

Lessons from the South Pole to the Boardroom

  • Drop the “A-Bomb”: For years, Jenny resisted using her extreme athletic achievements in business, believing the numbers should speak for themselves. A pitch coach set her straight. Now, leading with her polar expeditions—what her team internally calls “dropping the A-bomb”—opens doors that cold calls never could.

  • Control the Controllables: Whether navigating Antarctic blizzards or facing an unpredictable fertility journey, you can’t control the outcome. You can only control how you show up, how you prepare, and how you refuse to compromise your standards.

  • Uncompromising Integrity Drives Credibility: When launching Ovum, manufacturers begged her to cut ingredient dosages to boost profit margins. Jenny held the line, designing an evidence-based fertility supplement so trustworthy that over 38 IVF clinics now independently recommend it without receiving a penny in commission.

Whether you are scaling a startup, training for an endurance race, or trying to break through institutional noise, Jenny’s story is a masterclass in leveraging your unique lived experience to build something undeniable.

Listen to the full episode on the Chief Endurance Officer Podcast or catch up at chiefenduranceofficer.com.

Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Dropping the A-Bomb - Jenny Wordsworth - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #180 ]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/dropping-the-a-bomb-jenny-wordsworthhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/dropping-the-a-bomb-jenny-wordsworthFri, 25 Sep 2026 09:02:32 GMTHow can 700-mile solo expeditions across Antarctica unlock capital, break open doors in business, and build an evidence-based FemTech company? Today’s guest is an inspiring polar explorer, M&A lawyer, and femtech founder! Introducing Jenny Wordsworth, North Face endurance athlete, polar explorer, former M&A lawyer, and CEO & Founder of Ovum. Jenny joins host Gregory McDonough to share her harrowing stories of solo skiing to the South Pole, including surviving gangrene and medical evacuations, and how she translates her extreme endurance mindset into founding an award-winning fertility brand. She also delves into controlling the controllables, pitching VCs, and navigating the startup journey without cutting corners.

Takeaways:

  • “Dropping the A-Bomb” in Business: Authentically leading with your most extreme personal achievements and endurance background opens doors with investors and partners faster than standard financial decks.

  • Control the Controllables: Whether facing Antarctic weather or navigating an unpredictable fertility journey, high performers focus purely on their preparation, inputs, and mindset while letting go of unmanageable variables.

  • Uncompromising Product Standards: True brand credibility is built by refusing to compromise on scientific evidence or safety data, even when manufacturers or investors pressure you to cut costs.

  • Building Trust Through Independence: Gaining top-tier medical and B2B validation, such as inclusion in 38 UK IVF clinic protocols, requires delivering genuine, uncompromised value rather than transactional affiliate kickbacks.

  • Growth Mindset in Community: Surrounding yourself with collaborative, curious, and resilient people transforms extreme personal goals into compounding long-term success.

Quote of the Show:

“I can’t believe how many doors in business just that one story opens... We call it ‘dropping the A-bomb.’ I cannot believe the doors it opens.” - Jenny Wordsworth

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[Life Before and After the Row: Thomas Cremona on Endurance, Entrepreneurship, and Persistence]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/life-before-and-after-the-row-thomas-0efhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/life-before-and-after-the-row-thomas-0efFri, 18 Sep 2026 14:31:03 GMT


What happens when you take on something you’ve never done before, spend more than 30 days rowing across the Atlantic, and ultimately set a world record?

For Thomas Cremona, it changed the way he looked at life.

A multiple world record holder, endurance athlete, serial entrepreneur, and founder of Casa Rooms, Thomas joined Greg McDonough on the Chief Endurance Officer Podcast to talk about the experience that he describes as dividing his life into two chapters: before the row and after the row. At just 21, Thomas went from having virtually no rowing experience to training twice a day, raising money and sponsors, and joining an international team attempting to set a world record. The record ultimately stood for seven years.
But the most interesting part of Thomas’s story isn’t just what happened on the water. It’s how much of that experience carried over into his career as an entrepreneur.

Whether you’re trying to cross an ocean or build a business, there will be plenty of setbacks, difficult days, and people telling you that what you’re attempting isn’t possible. Thomas remembers getting plenty of “no” responses while trying to secure sponsors for his row, but his approach was simple: keep going, keep pushing, and keep the goal in sight. He even conducted more than 100 interviews during a six-month fundraising period to get his story in front of as many people as possible.

That same mindset followed him into business. Thomas eventually built Casa Rooms into a sizable property management business in Malta before exiting the company and returning to an advisory role. To him, the overlap between endurance and entrepreneurship is clear: you have to show up every day, deal with challenges, motivate the people around you, and keep moving toward the bigger picture even when things aren’t going according to plan.

Thomas also shared a simple productivity trick that applies far beyond endurance sports: start with the easy wins. When a task feels overwhelming, knocking out something small creates momentum. One completed task becomes a reason to keep moving, rather than another excuse to put things off.

Ultimately, Thomas’s story is a reminder that endurance isn’t only about how far you can physically push yourself. It’s about developing the mindset to keep showing up when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

As Thomas put it, you may hear a lot of “no’s,” and people may think you’re crazy for pursuing the goal. The answer is to keep persisting, wake up every day, and keep pushing.

Listen to the full conversation with Thomas Cremona on the Chief Endurance Officer Podcast, Episode #179.

Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Life Before and After the Row - Thomas Cremona - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #179]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/life-before-and-after-the-row-thomashttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/life-before-and-after-the-row-thomasFri, 18 Sep 2026 09:02:27 GMTHow does a childhood battle with leukemia transform an individual into a world-record-holding ocean rower and successful serial entrepreneur? Today’s guest is an inspiring ocean rower, world record holder, and serial entrepreneur. Introducing Thomas Cremona, multiple world record holder, chartered accountant, founder of Casa Rooms, and Director at Malta Business Network. Thomas joins host Gregory McDonough to share his life-altering journey of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, setting a world record that stood for seven years, and scaling a premier property management business in Malta. He also explores how pushing through extreme physical limits translates directly to navigating business challenges, fundraising, and team leadership.

Takeaways:

  • Life “Pre-Row” vs. “Post-Row”: Taking on extreme ultra-endurance challenges, like a 30+ day Atlantic ocean row, fundamentally shifts your confidence, mindset, and perspective on what is possible in life and business.

  • Persisting Through the “Nos”: Achieving ambitious goals requires enduring countless rejections, whether securing sponsors for a record-breaking row or pitching investors.

  • Overlapping Mindsets of Business and Endurance: Both scaling a business and ocean rowing demand waking up every day, managing team motivation, maintaining a positive attitude through bad days, and pushing toward a long-term goal.

  • Overcoming Childhood Cancer as Inspiration: Surviving childhood leukemia inspired Thomas to undertake his Atlantic row to demonstrate life beyond cancer and raise vital funds for Putinu Cares.

  • The “Easy Wins” Productivity Hack: When feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed, breaking down massive daily goals by starting with small, easy-to-accomplish tasks builds momentum to tackle tough challenges.

Quote of the Show:

“You get a lot of no’s and people say you’re crazy... You just have to keep on persisting. You see your goal out there, and every day you wake up and push, push, push.” - Thomas Cremona

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[The Endurance Mindset: Why It Matters in Business and Life ]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/the-endurance-mindset-why-it-mattershttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/the-endurance-mindset-why-it-mattersWed, 09 Sep 2026 13:03:41 GMTSome of the hardest parts of my week don’t happen behind a desk.

They happen before the sun comes up, during a long training ride, a run that doesn’t go as planned, or a workout where everything feels harder than it should.

I’ve spent years training for endurance events, and while crossing the finish line is rewarding, I’ve realized the biggest lessons have very little to do with racing. They’ve shaped how I lead teams, advise businesses, make financial decisions, and navigate the inevitable setbacks that come with work and life.

One of the things I enjoy most about working with endurance athletes and leaders is that many of them naturally think this way. They understand that meaningful progress takes time. They know there will be setbacks. They don’t expect every day to be perfect, and they recognize that success is built through consistent decisions rather than one extraordinary effort.

The good news is that you don’t have to be an endurance athlete to develop that mindset.

Whether you’re leading a business, managing your finances, growing your career, or simply trying to create a little more balance in your life, the same principles apply.

Here are four ways anyone can build an endurance mindset.

1. Lead with the Long Game in Mind

Leadership isn’t tested when everything is going well, it’s tested when plans change.

In endurance training, there are days when your body doesn’t cooperate, the weather turns, or an injury forces you to adjust. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that pushing harder isn’t always the right answer.

Earlier this year, I dealt with a calf injury before a race. I could have ignored it and chased a personal best, but the risk wasn’t worth the reward. One race wasn’t worth jeopardizing the rest of my season.

Leadership requires that same perspective.

Strong leaders don’t react emotionally to every challenge. They pause, assess the situation, and make decisions based on where they want to be months from now, not just by the end of the day.

Sometimes the smartest move is protecting your ability to keep moving forward.

2. Build a Business That Can Go the Distance

Businesses, like endurance races, reward consistency over time.

It’s easy to get caught up chasing rapid growth, new opportunities, or immediate results. The businesses that last aren’t always the ones growing the fastest. They’re the ones making disciplined decisions over and over again.

An endurance mindset reminds us that progress compounds. Small improvements made consistently often outperform big bursts of effort followed by burnout.

Instead of asking how to grow faster, ask how to build something that’s still strong three years from now.

That shift in perspective influences how you hire, how you invest, and how you prioritize your time.

3. Respect Capacity Before You Chase Growth

This is where endurance and finance intersect more than most people realize.

One of the quickest ways to end your season as an athlete is to ignore your body’s limits.

Businesses have limits too.

I’ve seen companies have a great month, look at the cash in their bank account, and immediately justify a new hire, a larger marketing budget, or another investment without asking whether it truly supports their long-term goals.

Just because you have the resources doesn’t automatically mean it’s the right time to use them.

The decisions that matter most are the ones that keep the business healthy six months or a year from now.

Just like endurance training, protecting your capacity often leads to better long-term results than pushing to your limit every single time.

4. Accept That You’ll Get Knocked Off Course

One of the biggest misconceptions about consistency is that it means doing everything perfectly.

Life doesn’t work that way.

Travel happens. Family needs your attention. Work gets busy. Injuries happen. Unexpected opportunities come along.

Over the years, I’ve learned those moments aren’t interruptions to the journey. They are the journey.

As I’ve told my coach more than once, there are going to be times when you’re on path and times when you’re off path. The important thing is recognizing that both are part of the process and learning how to adjust without losing sight of the bigger goal.

Getting knocked off course is inevitable. What matters is how quickly you adjust and keep moving.

An Endurance Mindset Is for Everyone

People often assume endurance training is about becoming physically stronger. In my experience, it’s really about becoming mentally steadier.

It’s learning to think beyond today’s challenges, manage risk without losing ambition, stay consistent even when motivation fades, and understand that lasting success is built one decision at a time.

Those lessons have helped me become a better athlete, but they’ve also made me a better advisor, business owner, leader, husband, and father.

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy working with leaders who already embrace an endurance mindset. They understand that sustainable success is rarely about quick wins. It’s about making thoughtful decisions, adapting when circumstances change, and staying committed to the long game.

The good news is that you don’t need to train for an Ironman to build that mindset. You simply need to choose progress over perfection, consistency over intensity, and long-term success over short-term gratification.

Those are lessons all of us can put into practice, no matter where we’re starting.

Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA["Control What You Can Control - Andrew Towne - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #177]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/control-what-you-can-control-andrewhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/control-what-you-can-control-andrewFri, 04 Sep 2026 09:02:01 GMTWhat can five ocean-rowing world records and a childhood nickname like “Town’s Busted” teach us about resilience? Today’s guest turned early rejection into an extraordinary athletic and professional career. Introducing Andrew Towne, founder and CEO of Gregory Point, a fund building retail concepts across the country. Andrew partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how his endurance mindset, shaped by collegiate rowing, mountaineering, and ocean rowing world records, has taught him to focus only on what he can control. He also delves into how preparing for worst-case scenarios, on the water, on a mountain, and in business, has shaped his approach to leadership and decision-making.

Takeaways:

  • Andrew credits his endurance mindset to three lessons: the direct correlation between effort and results in sport, confidence built through consistent showing up, and resilience learned from picking himself back up after setbacks.

  • As a teenager, Andrew was bullied and nicknamed “Town’s Busted” after being teased for his weight. He found rowing in college with no prior athletic experience, and by senior year, helped his team win a national championship.

  • Andrew describes focusing only on the “bullseyes,” the wins and successes, rather than dwelling on the much larger number of near-misses, as a mental framework that has carried him through both sport and business setbacks.

  • In 2015, Andrew was at Mount Everest Base Camp when an earthquake triggered an avalanche that killed dozens of people nearby. His expedition camp became a makeshift hospital for 48 hours, an experience that taught him the value of preparing for the unexpected.

  • A near-miss on Denali, where two teammates suffered altitude sickness and the group wasted critical time deciding how to respond, led Andrew to build a 35-point safety checklist before a later ocean row from South America to Antarctica, testing every safety system in advance.

  • Andrew is now founder and CEO of Gregory Point, a fund building and operating retail concepts in the garment care industry, starting in Colorado. He’s drawn to the real estate and community aspects of the business, as well as the opportunity to help workers without formal credentials grow into skilled professionals.

  • Before founding Gregory Point, Andrew spent six years at BCG advising energy, tech, and government clients, then helped scale the Tommy Express car wash platform from one location to 29 across 10 states in just 36 months.

Quote of the Show:

  • “I can’t necessarily control the outcome, but I can control how I respond, how I get back up, and even if I’m not happy with my result, how I prepare for the next race.” - Andrew Towne

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[Reverse Engineering The Finish Line - Will Thomas - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #176]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/reverse-engineering-the-finish-linehttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/reverse-engineering-the-finish-lineFri, 28 Aug 2026 09:00:51 GMTHow can designing extreme endurance experiences unlock deep human connection, empathy, and lifelong storytelling? Introducing Will Thomas, Co-Founder at House Innovations and Owner of Boltwood & Company. Will partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how building over 150 live events, including the Boston Triathlon, has given him a profound perspective on grit, community, and human vulnerability. He also delves into why endurance sports act as a universal language for personal transformation and leadership.

Takeaways:

  • Endurance as a Storytelling Engine: Completing difficult physical tasks creates a shared language that instantly builds trust, intimacy, and empathy among people.

  • There Is No Finish Line: Reaching a major milestone isn’t the end of the journey; true growth comes from continually seeking new, novel adventures.

  • Reverse Engineering Human Emotion: Successful leaders and event designers start with how they want people to feel at the finish line and work backward to execute the details.

  • Shared Suffering Equalizes Everyone: Whether you are an elite pro or a back-of-the-pack finisher, extreme challenges strip away ego and reveal core human resilience.

  • Relentless Persistence in Permitting & Business: Overcoming two years of bureaucratic obstacles to launch a major city event proves that stubborn determination beats initial rejection.

Quote of the Show:

“Endurance was really about storytelling. It was about going on these journeys internally, externally, that took you to amazing places, to meet amazing people, to meet amazing challenges.” - Will Thomas

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[The Endurance Mindset]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/the-endurance-mindsethttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/the-endurance-mindsetWed, 26 Aug 2026 12:45:54 GMTEndurance is a topic that has captured my attention for years.

As a ten-time Ironman competitor now preparing for my eleventh, I’ve spent countless hours training, which gave me ample time to ponder the concept of endurance and how it applies to various aspects of life.

With every mile pedaled on the bike, every lap swam in the pool, and every step pounded on the pavement, I came to realize how mastering the mindset of endurance can build strength, character and success, and not just when it comes to sports – it’s also a crucial skill for entrepreneurs to cultivate.

One of the reasons I am passionate about endurance is that it forces us into difficult situations. As endurance leaders, we lean into the pain, discomfort and self-doubt, and we grow from it. Each milestone we complete and every obstacle we surmount builds tenacity and character.

This is what shapes the heart of a leader. Staying focused on the goal is important, but so is having an appreciation for the journey as we conquer each hurdle on the way to the finish line.

Entrepreneurs tend to use our past experiences as points of reflection when we subsequently face challenging times, especially financial struggles.

We can recall a time when we felt overwhelmed or defeated and recognize what we did to endure those tough moments. We can look back on the ultimate outcome of each situation and realize that success is possible, even when it seems like all is lost.

Understanding the connections between the tough times and the ensuing positive outcomes keeps us from giving up even when we are facing a crisis.

Another lesson I’ve learned from building endurance in athletics is that it leads to the discovery of practical and powerful tools. These might be little things, but they can be mighty – they help us make it one more mile or climb another 1,000 feet when we feel like we can’t go any further.

During training, athletes learn to use tools and build support teams around us. This provides us with constructive options right when we most need support.

In my experience, endurance training is most effective when it is broken down into smaller increments. Running a marathon is difficult, no question. But if you look at it as 26 one-mile events, it takes the sting out of the larger goal – the marathon.

The same concept applies to leadership. During uncertain times, ask yourself a question: how can I be a great leader today? Tomorrow I might fail or ultimately quit. But for today, we can rally and be great leaders.

If you are committed to living the endurance mindset, you are building strength through repeated practice to boost your confidence. This will help you make it through the tough times.

As leaders, we are training for these big moments by guiding our teams, calculating risk, and remaining committed to innovation. All these efforts are good practice for when the challenges are greatest. If you have performed this practice repeatedly and consistently, you will carry the confidence to stay positive through difficult times.

Think about the biggest challenge you are facing right now. Instead of asking how you will make it all the way through, identify the next mile. What is one decision, conversation or action you can take today?

Endurance is built one step at a time, and sometimes the most important thing a leader can do is simply keep moving.

Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Setbacks Into Motivation - Stan Freemon - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #175]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/setbacks-into-motivation-stan-freemonhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/setbacks-into-motivation-stan-freemonFri, 21 Aug 2026 09:00:38 GMTHow can an endurance mindset help you overcome brutal setbacks in both sports and executive leadership? Today’s guest is an unstoppable serial entrepreneur and Ironman ambassador. Introducing Stan Freemon, President and CEO at Hunter Freeman Group. Stan partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how he pushed through a catastrophic 35-minute transition delay during an Ironman to finish strong and how he applies that same relentless drive to executive recruiting. He also delves into why true leadership requires emotional resilience, deep relationship-building, and keeping life’s challenges in perspective.

Takeaways:

  • Turning Setbacks into Motivation: When unexpected obstacles throw your plans off course, like losing a transition bag in a race, mental toughness is what keeps you moving forward.

  • Relentless Persistence in Business: Executive recruiting and deal-making require an unwavering commitment to seeing things through without giving up.

  • Relationship-First Leadership: True business success comes from establishing trust directly with company leaders rather than relying on transactional processes.

  • Gaining Life Perspective: Pushing through grueling physical challenges, like pushing a chariot for a young athlete with special needs, reminds leaders that everyday workplace problems are easily manageable.

  • The Endurance Network: Engaging in extreme sports naturally connects high-performing CEOs and entrepreneurs who share the same discipline and drive.

Quote of the Show:

“I do not give up, period. You can ask everybody that works for me. I mean, when I smell blood in the water, it’s a done deal.” - Stan Freemon

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[Reframing Perspective - Charlotte Kirk - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #174]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/reframing-perspective-charlotte-kirkhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/reframing-perspective-charlotte-kirkFri, 14 Aug 2026 09:01:06 GMTHow can lessons from extreme military service and 90 back-to-back ultramarathons transform business leadership and problem-solving? Today’s guest is a truly inspiring Oxford-trained chemist, world-class endurance athlete, military pioneer, and venture investor! Introducing Dr. Charlotte Kirk, Founder and CEO at CK Ventures and Venture Partner at Decarb Ventures. Dr. Kirk partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how running the Pacific Crest Trail and serving on military frontlines established a sense of calm and perspective that helps her navigate high-stakes clean energy investing. She also delves into why stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing joy, and interviewing investors for alignment build long-term business success.

Takeaways:

  • Reframing Mission-Critical Problems: Extreme environments teach leaders that while business problems are important, keeping calm and maintaining perspective allows space for creative solutions.

  • “No Plan Survives First Contact”: In both the military and venture capital, adaptability is paramount; leaders must constantly innovate when unexpected obstacles arise.

  • Side-by-Side Leadership: Taking candidates or team members out of formal settings and into side-by-side environments (like walking or trail running) reveals authentic character and builds trust faster.

  • “You Can’t Compete with Someone Having Fun”: Approaching tough athletic or entrepreneurial challenges through a lens of joy and gratitude sustains long-term performance better than negative pressure.

  • Investor Alignment Matters: Founders should interview potential investors as rigorously as investors evaluate them to ensure shared personal values during difficult times.

Quote of the Show:

  • “Yes, it’s mission critical, but no one’s gonna die tomorrow. And sometimes that helps reframe the problem and take a pause, and actually we can think creatively through it.” - Charlotte Kirk

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[The Greatest Endurance Event of My Life]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/the-greatest-endurance-event-of-myhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/the-greatest-endurance-event-of-myWed, 12 Aug 2026 12:45:40 GMT

Today my wife and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary.

As two people who have spent years chasing finish lines (Ironman races, half Ironmans, marathons, and countless early morning training sessions) you might think endurance is measured in miles, watts, or finish times.

I’ve come to believe it’s measured in something entirely different.

It’s measured in choosing each other every single day.

An Ironman teaches you that success isn’t about having the perfect race. It’s about responding when things don’t go according to plan. Every athlete eventually faces a flat tire, a missed nutrition plan, brutal weather, or a moment when quitting seems like the easier option.

Marriage is remarkably similar.

Over the past twenty years, my wife and I have celebrated incredible victories together. We’ve raised two amazing daughters. We’ve built careers. We’ve experienced unforgettable adventures. We’ve laughed more than I ever imagined we would.

We’ve also navigated uncertainty.

There have been seasons when work was exhilarating and seasons when it was exhausting. Seasons when one of us carried more of the load so the other could keep moving forward. Seasons when the future wasn’t as clear as we wanted it to be.

Watching my wife lead through some incredibly difficult professional challenges over the past few years has reminded me what endurance really looks like. It isn’t loud. It isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t make headlines.

It looks like showing up. Again. And again... And again.

As endurance athletes, we often celebrate grit. But I’ve learned that grit without love can become stubbornness. Discipline without grace becomes exhausting.

A strong marriage usually isn’t built in the big moments. It’s built in all the regular ones. Saying, I’ve got you. We’ll figure it out. I’m not going anywhere. It’s a lot like training for an Ironman. One good run doesn’t get you ready, and one good conversation doesn’t make a marriage strong.

You just keep showing up. One of the lessons I often share on the Chief Endurance Officer podcast is that the best leaders think long term. They don’t optimize for today at the expense of tomorrow.

The same is true at home.

Our culture celebrates intensity, endurance celebrates consistency.

Our culture celebrates achievement, endurance celebrates commitment.

Our culture celebrates the highlight reel, endurance is built in the quiet moments when no one is watching.

Twenty years later, I’m convinced the endurance mindset isn’t really about sport. It’s about becoming the kind of person someone can count on, the kind of teammate who doesn’t disappear when life gets hard, the kind of leader who stays steady during uncertainty, and the kind of spouse who continues choosing love after the excitement of the starting line has faded.

I’m grateful for every race I’ve finished, but I’m even more grateful for the woman who’s been beside me through the greatest endurance event of my life.

Here’s to twenty years.

And, hopefully, many more finish lines we’ll cross together.

What’s one lesson that endurance sports (or simply life) has taught you about building a lasting relationship?

Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Patience, Process, and Ownership - Trevor Gilmore - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #173]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/patience-process-and-ownership-trevorhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/patience-process-and-ownership-trevorFri, 07 Aug 2026 09:00:26 GMTHow can an endurance mindset transform business leadership and create lasting company legacy? Today’s guest is an accomplished CEO, CPA, podcast host, and endurance athlete who embodies the power of trusting the process! Introducing Trevor Gilmore, CEO at The Menke Group. Trevor partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how he built discipline through competitive cycling and marathons and transitioned into leading a top ESOP advisory firm. He also delves into why employee ownership acts as the ultimate long-term exit strategy for value-driven leaders.

Takeaways:

  • Trusting the Training Process: Success in business and athletics is rarely a straight line; consistency, morning routines, and grinding through difficult days build long-term resilience and results.

  • The Power of Group Motivation: Training alongside high-performing peers elevates individual performance, whether pushing up a steep climb or leading a company through challenging economic shifts.

  • ESOP as the “Endurance Exit”: Employee Stock Ownership Plans offer business owners a flexible way to preserve company culture, maintain independence, and reward loyal staff over a long time horizon.

  • Identifying ESOP Candidates: Companies with strong cultures, human capital value, and next-generation leadership in place make ideal candidates for employee ownership.

  • Authentic and Honest Communication: Whether launching a niche podcast or evaluating deal pipelines, candor and long-term commitment drive meaningful reach and credibility.

Quote of the Show:

“Some days you don’t feel like doing it, but that and grinding through gets you better over time, and that certainly translates to life success.” - Trevor Gilmore

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[Take the Leap, Trust the Climb - Dan Mosko - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #172]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/take-the-leap-trust-the-climb-danhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/take-the-leap-trust-the-climb-danFri, 31 Jul 2026 09:01:04 GMTWhat if the hardest year of your life became the reason you could handle anything after? Today’s guest is a builder who turned a personal breaking point into the blueprint for a growing business. Introducing Dan Mosko, CEO of Altura Performance and founder of Elevation Everest. Dan partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how he built a high-altitude endurance race company while working 85-90 hour weeks at his corporate sales job, all while his home fell apart around him, foundation, roof, and plumbing failing at once. He also delves into what it really takes to leave a stable career and build something of your own, one problem at a time.

Takeaways:

  • Dan describes the “endurance mindset” as the ability to consistently deal with pain and keep moving forward. He credits this to having “proof points,” past hard experiences that prove you can handle whatever life throws at you next.

  • While building Elevation Everest and working 85-90 hour weeks at his day job, Dan’s house experienced simultaneous major failures, foundation, roof trusses, and a sewage backup, all at once. He got through it by leaning on the memory of finding his breaking point at mile eight of an Ironman marathon and breaking the crisis into smaller, manageable pieces.

  • Elevation Everest was born from Dan’s own transformational Ironman finish-line experience and a gap he saw in the market for a more accessible high-altitude endurance event. He and his team cold-called resorts until they found the right partner in Winter Park, Colorado.

  • Running a large-scale endurance event involves far more behind-the-scenes complexity than athletes typically realize, including venue partnerships, sponsor sourcing, aid station logistics, and contingency planning for the unexpected, like a moose that chased participants through the woods during last year’s race.

  • To grow the athlete community, Dan’s team has added race-weekend engagement, monthly community calls on gear and training, and guest speakers like 18-time Everest summiter Tendi Sherpa, all offered at no additional cost to registered athletes.

  • Looking ahead, Dan plans to expand Elevation Everest to new locations, explore new race formats, and grow Altura Performance, his supplement company focused on helping people acclimatize, perform, and recover in the mountains.

  • For anyone considering leaving a corporate job to chase an entrepreneurial dream, Dan advises building a financial runway, validating the plan with people who’ve done it before, and finding an accountability partner. He reminds listeners that entrepreneurship is simply an endless stream of problems to solve, one at a time.

Quote of the Show:

  • “Don’t be surprised if it’s harder than you expect, but also don’t be surprised when it’s more fulfilling than you expect.” - Dan Mosko

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[5 Ways Leaders Can Combat Burnout]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/5-ways-leaders-can-combat-burnouthttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/5-ways-leaders-can-combat-burnoutTue, 28 Jul 2026 14:01:55 GMTLeadership and burnout often go hand-in-hand. The challenges of being in a leadership position are immense, and it can be difficult to find the “off” switch. When leaders go home, they are still problem-solving, taking calls, and writing emails. An endless stream of stress can lead to feeling overwhelmed, tired, depressed, discouraged, exasperated, frustrated, and even angry. Those feelings can lead to burnout, a state of mental and physical exhaustion that saps motivation, engagement, creativity, and productivity.

While it’s important to be present for your team, staying invigorated and engaged can’t happen if you don’t take steps to care for your well-being. While it might seem like stopping to take a beat is not worth the time when there are other issues to manage that seem more pressing, figuring out how to hit your reset button is a necessity, not a luxury. Learning how to carve out time to de-stress and recharge is a crucial life skill for becoming a healthy, positive and productive leader over the long term.

Let’s explore some steps you can take to care for yourself to help you become a stronger, healthier leader, both mentally and physically.

1. Develop healthy habits

Many leaders struggle to find enough time in the day to consistently practice healthy habits. Whether it’s cramming down fast-food meals in airports, skipping your exercise routine, or being constantly sleep-deprived because work is eating away your resting time, it’s easy to get sidetracked from a healthy lifestyle. But dedicating time to staying physically healthy will give you more energy and foster a healthy mindset, too. It will supply you with the strength and positive attitude you need to tackle complicated problems and help keep stress at bay.

2. Schedule time for relaxing, restorative activities

Everyone has activities they cherish, the kind that nurtures souls and minds and allows you to relax and decompress. Think about what these interests are for you and give yourself some time and space to enjoy them. Perhaps it’s a hobby that you stopped practicing years ago, or a new pastime you’ve always wanted to try but didn’t afford yourself the time. It could be taking up an artistic or creative pursuit such as drawing, painting, or sculpting. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of learning to play an instrument. Or perhaps you want to immerse yourself in participating in sports, such as running a marathon or joining a rowing team. Great rewards can come from exploring these non-monetary outlets for happiness. There is the joy that comes from learning new things, the satisfaction of achieving in a new arena, and the thrill of taking part in a pastime simply because you love doing it.

3. Maintain social connections

No one succeeds alone. While you may not feel much like interacting with others when you are stressed out and overworked, taking time to nourish bonds with friends and family is essential. Or you might have a peer group of fellow leaders who give you strength and solace. Isolating yourself will only make matters worse. While it’s tempting to believe that no one will understand what you’re going through, that’s often a misperception. Maintaining interactions with loved ones can give you a boost of energy and provide a support system that will help you ride out business challenges and keep difficult situations in perspective. Volunteering to help those in need can also deepen your gratitude and expand your insight.

4. Find quiet time to think and reflect

It’s not uncommon for leaders to explore and experiment with a variety of ways to calm an active mind. Every person is wired differently, so finding out what works for you might require some trial and error. Making time to calm the mind by meditating for even a few minutes each day can make a world of difference, allowing you to be mindful of your thoughts and emotions. For others, simply clearing time to do some deep thinking without the pressure to be constantly productive can allow you to work through obstacles. Breaking complicated situations into smaller problems can make it easier to tackle them. You can also prioritize tasks and create an action plan, which wards off the feeling that you are helpless in the situation and gives you a sense of control.

5. Remember your purpose

Leaders usually carry a strong sense of vision. Writing down your goals and reminding yourself of the reasons you were drawn to a leadership role in the first place can soothe your sense of burnout. Your greater goals and purpose are powerful motivators. Keeping them top of mind can do wonders to refresh your spirit and give you the strength to hurdle obstacles on your way to getting there.

Stay the course

We all need a gentle reminder to take care of ourselves when the hustle and bustle of a busy life as a business leader threatens to overwhelm and overshadow every other part of our days. Most importantly, don’t give up. Recognize that feeling defeated and drained is not a sign of weakness. It’s a normal reaction to a stressful set of circumstances, and it’s not something to be ashamed of. Treating yourself with kindness and compassion when you’re feeling low, rather than beating yourself up for having these feelings, can help you turn a nose-dive into burnout territory into an opportunity to fly even higher.

Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Run the Next Mile - Nick Hancock - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #171]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/run-the-next-mile-nick-hancock-chiefhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/run-the-next-mile-nick-hancock-chiefFri, 24 Jul 2026 09:01:52 GMTWhat begins as one difficult step can become a complete transformation.

In this episode of Chief Endurance Officer, Gregory McDonough sits down with Nick Hancock, Founder and CEO of Maximum Mileage Coaching, certified running and performance nutrition coach, competitive ultrarunner, and creator of the Max Mile app. Nick shares how endurance helped him navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges, from overcoming mental health struggles to supporting his wife through her battle with stage four cancer.

Together, they explore the mindset required to persevere through adversity, the power of consistency over perfection, and why sustainable success, whether in business, athletics, or life, is built by showing up every day. Nick also shares how he transitioned from a successful corporate career to building a thriving coaching business dedicated to helping everyday athletes achieve extraordinary goals.

Takeaways:

  • Endurance is about reaching the next aid station. Nick explains that endurance isn’t always about thinking miles ahead. During life’s most difficult moments, success often come from focusing on the very next step, maintaining hope, and continuing to move forward even when the destination feel overwhelming.

  • Reinvention begins with one small decision. Nick’s running journey didn’t start with elite ambitions, it started by throwing away his cigarettes, lacing up the only shoes he owned, and running a few hundred meters around a local football pitch. Small decisions, repeated, consistently, became life-changing habits.

  • You don’t have to be exceptional to call yourself a runner. One of Nick’s strongest messages is that identity isn’t earned through pace or race times. If you run, you’re a runner.

  • Consistency beats intensity. Whether coaching first time marathoners or experienced ultra-runners, Nick sees the same pattern over and over: the athletes who consistently execute the fundamentals ultimately outperform those who rely on occasional breakthrough workouts or bursts of motivation.

  • Great coaching starts with understanding the whole person. Training plans alone don’t create success. Nick believes coaches must understand their athletes’ work schedules, family responsibilities, stress levels, sleep, nutrition, and recovery in order to create sustainable progress.

Quote of the Show:

  • “Running is a solo sport, but it’s a team game.” - Nick Hancock

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[Pain Is Temporary - Tristan Wilson - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode # 174]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/pain-is-temporary-tristan-wilsonhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/pain-is-temporary-tristan-wilsonFri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:54 GMTIn this episode of Chief Endurance Officer, Greg McDonough talks with Tristan Wilson, a fourth generation family construction leader turned AI founder. Tristan spent eight years rising through his family’s highway construction business in Louisiana, eventually managing the largest production facility of its kind in the state and leading the company’s biggest industrial construction project ever, a two year onsite relocation. He later founded Edgevanta, a company built to fix one of construction’s oldest problems: pricing and estimating. Tristan also shares his journey into ultrarunning, including two 200 mile races, a dislocated elbow at mile 37, and the DNFs that taught him as much as his finishes did.

Takeaways:

  • Tristan’s endurance mindset comes down to two lessons from long races: people are capable of far more than they know, and pain and agony are temporary while nothing else truly is, except the soul.

  • Accountability partners, especially other founders at a similar stage, have been one of the biggest drivers of Tristan’s growth in business, mirroring the crews and pacers that got him through his toughest ultra races.

  • Tristan credits much of his networking success to giving value first, connecting people and helping others, rather than networking with an agenda.

  • A painful early lesson as a young estimator, when his company left about seven hundred thousand dollars on the table on a paving bid, became the seed that eventually grew into Edgevanta, a pricing intelligence and estimating automation platform for heavy highway and civil construction companies.

  • Tristan openly discusses his DNFs (Did Not Finish races) alongside his finishes, including pulling out of a race in Massachusetts and a 100K where a plantar issue ended his day, and says normalizing those setbacks is part of the journey.

  • At one 200 mile race, Tristan dislocated his elbow at mile 37 while raising money for suicide prevention in construction, got it treated at a hospital, then returned to the course with his sister and another pacer to finish before the cutoff.

  • Tristan’s guiding business philosophy borrows a phrase he once heard: “Complexity is the enemy of execution,” which pushes him to focus only on what matters most each day.

Quote of the Show:

  • “Pain and agony is temporary. Nothing’s permanent. Only your soul is permanent.” - Tristan Wilson

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[When Your Business Grows Faster Than Your Systems Can Handle]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/when-your-business-grows-faster-thanhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/when-your-business-grows-faster-thanThu, 16 Jul 2026 14:02:03 GMTA few years ago I started working with a company that had grown fast. Really fast. Revenue had more than quadrupled in a short window, and from the outside it looked like a straight-up success story.

When I got in there, though, what I found was a business that had essentially outrun itself. The financial systems were behind. Internal controls weren’t being followed. There were compliance gaps. The person sitting in the CFO seat had grown into the role organically over many years, which is a kind way of saying they’d never actually operated at this scale before and were doing their best with tools that weren’t built for it.

None of that was caused by the growth. The problems were already there. The growth just made them impossible to paper over anymore.

I think about this through the lens of endurance racing a lot, because the parallel is almost exact. You can hide poor preparation in a short race. You can gut it out on adrenaline, coast on fitness you built months ago, compensate for a thin training block with sheer willpower. But a long race exposes everything. If your nutrition plan isn’t dialed in, you’ll find out around mile 60 on the bike. If you skipped too many long runs, your legs will tell you around mile 8 of the run. You can’t fake it at distance.

Rapid business growth works the same way. At a smaller scale, gaps are manageable and easy to absorb. Scale up fast, and suddenly the accounting setup that worked fine at $5 million is a liability at $25 million. The informal processes that everyone understood start breaking down as the team grows. The inefficiencies that seemed minor become real operational failures.

I’ve watched this happen more than once, and the part that’s always painful is that the growth itself was genuinely good. The business earned it. The market responded. The product worked. The back office just couldn’t keep up.

So what do you actually do about it? A few things I’d tell any founder heading into a meaningful growth phase:

Get the right financial person in place before you need them. The time to think about your CFO or fractional CFO situation isn’t when the wheels are coming off. It’s when things still look fine but you can feel the complexity starting to outpace your current setup. If the person managing your finances has never operated at the scale you’re heading toward, that’s worth taking seriously now rather than later.

Stress-test your systems before the volume does it for you. Ask honestly: if our revenue doubled next year, would our accounting, payroll, reporting, and internal controls actually handle it? If the answer is anything other than a clear yes, that’s your roadmap.

Do the pre-race course study. Before a big Ironman, I spend time on the terrain. Where are the hills? What could the weather do? What’s my contingency if something goes wrong on the bike? Founders heading into a growth sprint should do the same kind of pre-mortem on their business. Where are the vulnerabilities? What breaks first? Who would we need that we don’t have yet?

The company I mentioned is in a much better place now. The right people are in the right seats, the reporting is clean, and the compliance issues are resolved. But it cost them time, money, and a level of stress that wasn’t necessary. They earned the growth. They just didn’t prepare the infrastructure for it.

The finish line is a lot more enjoyable when you actually trained for the race.

Chief Endurance Officer by Greg McDonough is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

]]><![CDATA[Winning the Fourth Quarter - Carl Thomas - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #169 ]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/winning-the-fourth-quarter-carl-thomashttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/winning-the-fourth-quarter-carl-thomasFri, 10 Jul 2026 09:01:30 GMTWhat does it take to build a career that spans NCAA water polo championships, an Olympic trials near miss, the founding of what became USA Triathlon, and over $400 million in verifiable business growth? In this episode of Chief Endurance Officer, Greg McDonough sits down with Carl Thomas, a veteran sports and entertainment executive with major leadership roles at Universal Studios, the Association of Volleyball Professionals, CAT Sports, and Speedo. At ASM Global, Carl helped build the commercial partnership team that drove growth leading to a $2.3 billion acquisition. He is also the host of the Best Boss Ever podcast.

Carl walks Greg through his path from competitive swimmer and two time NCAA water polo champion at UCLA to co-founding what is now USA Triathlon, helping design the distances that became the modern Olympic triathlon format, and lobbying the IOC for four years to get triathlon added to the Olympic Games. Along the way, he shares the lessons that shaped his endurance mindset in sport and in business.

Takeaways:

  • Endurance is about never quitting while staying willing to adjust, adapt, and pivot as circumstances, age, or environment change.

  • A pivotal moment came from his UCLA water polo coach, Bob Horn, who told a young and discouraged Carl, “Don’t get your dauber down,” and reminded him that speed is something that cannot be taught.

  • Coach Horn’s mantra, “You always win the fourth quarter,” instilled a mentality of performing until the final buzzer that Carl carried into his business career.

  • Carl helped design the swim, bike, and run distances that became the standard Olympic distance triathlon while working at Speedo in the early 1980s.

  • He cofounded what became USA Triathlon and later helped found the International Triathlon Union, now World Triathlon, spending four years lobbying the IOC before triathlon was added to the Olympic program for Sydney 2000.

  • From the earliest events of the US Triathlon Series, Carl and his partners awarded equal prize money to men and women, a commitment that never changed throughout the series.

  • Naming rights and revenue strategy have transformed how venues generate value, a shift now playing out at the LA28 Olympic Games as brands pay to keep their names on Olympic venues.

Quote of the Show:

  • “The future is not set in stone. It will evolve. It has to evolve.” - Carl Thomas

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[Run A Mile Before A Marathon - Crystal Hadnott - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - #168 ]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/run-a-mile-before-a-marathon-crystalhttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/run-a-mile-before-a-marathon-crystalFri, 03 Jul 2026 09:00:36 GMTCrystal Hadnott was told she would need a cane for the rest of her life after a devastating accident left her partially paralyzed. Nine months later, she ran her first marathon.

That decision sparked a journey that has now taken her through more than 150 marathons and ultramarathons, up Mount Kilimanjaro, and into a career helping organizations build sustainable growth through strategy, systems, and leadership.

Crystal joins Greg to discuss how endurance training shaped her approach to fundraising and business, why every high performer needs “aid stations” for recovery and reflection, and the lessons she’s learned from constantly challenging herself in sport and in life. She also shares how an accident led her into fundraising, why nonprofits need to think like businesses, and how maximizing your current strengths often matters more than chasing the next opportunity.

Takeaways:

  • Success is not built by pushing nonstop. Leaders need intentional aid stations for reflection, recovery, and recalibration if they want to perform over the long term.

  • The goals you set at the beginning of the year should not be treated as permanent. Markets shift, industries change, and strong leaders reassess their plans often.

  • Before pursuing the next shiny opportunity, make sure you’ve fully maximized the systems, strategies, and resources you already have.

  • Funding is the fuel that keeps organizations moving. The challenge is identifying which revenue strategies truly support your mission and which ones create unnecessary strain.

  • Building a strong core, both physically and professionally, creates longevity. The foundations you strengthen today support your performance years down the road.

  • Difficult experiences can become your greatest teachers. Crystal’s injury, recovery, and marathon journey all became data points that helped her better understand herself and her capabilities.

Quote of the Show:

“The addiction of accomplishing something that someone tells you you can’t do became very real for me.” - Crystal Hadnott

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]><![CDATA[One Mile at a Time - Bishoy Tadros - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #167 ]]>https://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/one-mile-at-a-time-bishoy-tadroshttps://www.chiefenduranceofficer.com/p/one-mile-at-a-time-bishoy-tadrosFri, 26 Jun 2026 09:01:32 GMTWhat happens when the obstacles that shape your childhood become the foundation for everything you achieve as an adult? In this episode of Chief Endurance Officer, Greg McDonough sits down with Bishoy Tadros, sales leader, author, endurance athlete, host of the Mile 40 Podcast, and the first Egyptian to complete all seven World Marathon Majors. Bishoy shares his journey from surviving childhood leukemia and brain surgery to becoming an Ironman and accomplished marathoner.

Together, they explore how patience, perspective, and purpose helped him navigate decades of challenges, why endurance sports became a vehicle for personal transformation, and how embracing discomfort can reveal what we’re truly capable of achieving. Bishoy also shares the powerful story behind his “Mile 40” moment and the lessons it continues to teach him about resilience, growth, and possibility.

Takeaways:

  • Endurance mindset often begins long before endurance sports. Bishoy’s battle with childhood leukemia, years of treatment, and eventual recovery shaped the resilience he would later rely on as an athlete and leader.

  • Patience, perspective, and purpose became the three principles that helped him navigate adversity and continue moving forward despite repeated setbacks and rejection.

  • Surrounding yourself with high performers can fundamentally change what you believe is possible for your own life and goals.

  • During his defining “Mile 40” moment in a half Ironman, Bishoy overcame physical and mental exhaustion by breaking an overwhelming challenge into manageable pieces, one mile at a time.

  • Celebrating small wins can create momentum during life’s most difficult chapters and help sustain progress when the finish line feels far away.

  • Some of the most meaningful achievements begin with a simple question: “Why not?” That mindset eventually led Bishoy to become the first Egyptian to complete all seven World Marathon Majors.

  • Setbacks do not have to define your story. When approached with the right mindset, they can become the catalyst for growth, purpose, and impact.

Quote of the Show:

  • “You were dealt this hand because you were built to play it.” - Bishoy Tadros

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

Keep up to date on our social accounts:

Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

]]>