How does an endurance mindset shape leadership, problem-solving, and performance in both sport and business? Today’s guest is a seasoned endurance athlete and former corporate executive who has built her leadership philosophy through sport. Introducing Ashley McCabe, Founder of Bluebird Multisport. Ashley partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how endurance sports shaped her identity as a leader and how those same principles now guide her coaching business.
She also delves into problem-solving under pressure, balancing demanding careers with endurance goals, and how leaders can model behaviors like work-life balance and time management in a way that truly resonates with their teams.
Takeaways:
• Endurance builds real problem-solving skills. Ashley explains that endurance racing teaches you how to respond when things inevitably go wrong, and that same ability translated directly into her leadership style in corporate environments.
• Leadership is about modeling behavior, not just saying it. She emphasizes that it’s not enough to encourage work-life balance, leaders must demonstrate it themselves to make it truly acceptable within a team.
• Confidence comes from overcoming challenges repeatedly. Through years of racing, Ashley built trust in her ability to handle problems, which became a defining trait in how she led teams and approached complex situations.
• Missed workouts should not be forced back in. She shares that trying to cram missed training into an already busy schedule often backfires, and it’s better to reset and move forward.
• Recovery starts before the workout. Ashley highlights a shift in mindset, focusing on preparation and pre-session habits is just as important as post-workout recovery.
• Structure and time blocking drive consistency. She reinforces that if time isn’t intentionally set aside for training (or important work), it likely won’t happen.
• Coaching must adapt to real-life demands. Her “white glove” coaching approach focuses on removing barriers for busy professionals so they can realistically pursue endurance goals alongside demanding careers.
Quote of the Show:
“It’s not a question of if something is gonna go wrong on race day, right? It’s a question of what’s gonna go wrong, when is it gonna go wrong, and then most importantly, how do I react to what is going wrong?” - Ashley McCabe
Links:
Ashley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-mccabe-83446612/
Bluebird’s Website: www.bluebirdmultisport.com
Instagram: @bluebirdmultisport @tri_ashley_mc
Ways to Tune In:
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2NoaWVmLWVuZHVyYW5jZS1vZmZpY2Vy
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c96880f-8dcd-4a6e-b1c8-fda816f872a9
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-5250102
Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-ringmaster-KMdv2I8XwkN/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/rzFmkJiNP4k
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Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/
