Leadership Meets Fitness: Lessons for Thriving in Life and Work
My friend, executive coach Briana Sharp, texted me:
"Do you want to do a LinkedIn Live with me on the intersection of health and career performance?"
Briana and I have been friends for about ten years. I'm always impressed by her business acumen and the fact that she has completed an incredible 117 half-marathons! We first met when Sweat Pink hosted Blogfest conferences for fitness bloggers, which were part of the larger IDEA World Fitness convention. We've both come a long way since then, and I loved her idea of discussing on LinkedIn how success in business and health/fitness overlap.
But my visceral response was, No way. I stepped back from my emotions for a second and texted back:
"Live? That sounds scary, so yes!"
Stepping Outside MY Comfort Zone
The worst reason to say no to an opportunity is because it sounds scary. In the past, I might have even convinced myself I had a legitimate excuse (Oh, I'd love to, but I have plans to reorganize my sock drawer!). Deep down, I would know the truth—I was avoiding discomfort. But we don't grow by staying in our comfort zones. If you never step outside of it, it remains small. If you try new things, you win or learn, expanding your comfort zone.
Going live feels scarier than writing, where I can edit until I approve of every word. In a live situation, I'm left with just my brain and mouth. Who knows what will happen?
But what's the real risk here? I stumble over some words? I don't articulate a thought as clearly as I hoped? A coworker from 20 years ago judges me unfairly (or totally fairly)? LinkedIn rises against me, and I lose every client I've ever had? Okay, not that last one. The point is, the risk wasn't as big as my imagination made it out to be.
Saying Yes and Learning from the Experience
So, I said yes. We did our LinkedIn Live, and guess what? It went fine! None of those fears materialized. I wasn't perfect, but who is? I ended the call feeling energized and alive. The lesson: You don't get better by playing it safe. You improve by doing uncomfortable things; the more you do them, the easier they become.
Fitness Success Builds Business Success
The theme of our session was that the skills, habits, and mindset you develop through fitness provide a solid foundation for business success—and vice versa. Many people think fitness is about motivation and discipline, but it's more about skills and habits. What you do consistently yields the best results.
I often work with highly successful professional women who seek help with their fitness goals. Together, we discover that the strengths they've honed in the workplace—time management, a strong work ethic, overcoming obstacles, and problem-solving—are the exact skills they need to achieve their fitness goals.
During our live session, Briana shared that one of her executive clients improved his time management at work and, as a result, gained more personal time as an unintended benefit.
Building Resilience Through Fitness
Fitness teaches us to intentionally do hard things, which builds resilience. Then, when we face hard things in business or life, we have the confidence to handle them. Whether it's lifting heavier weights in the gym, running a faster 5K, or completing a marathon, these goals help us practice perseverance, fail in a safe environment, and ultimately achieve more than we thought possible.
Improved Confidence in Fitness and Business
One benefit of improved fitness is building confidence, which translates directly to business. Building physical strength or hitting a new personal record boosts your belief in your abilities. As you progress in your fitness journey, you realize your potential, leading to increased confidence. That confidence doesn't just stay in the gym—it spills over into other areas, including your professional life.
When you feel strong and empowered physically, you're more likely to approach business challenges with the same confidence.
The Importance of a Growth Mindset
Mindset is critical to success, whether in fitness or business. Developing a growth mindset in fitness—where setbacks are learning opportunities and consistency is prioritized over perfection—helps you push through obstacles and stay focused on long-term goals. Briana discussed how she coaches that same growth mindset in the workplace.
Through fitness, I've learned that failure isn't the end. It's just part of the process. I've failed plenty of times in the gym or on the race course, but I always come back stronger. The same applies to any challenge in life or business.
Learn more about Briana Sharp at www.getrazorsharp.com
So, What's Your Next Scary Step?
Success in fitness and business aren't as different as they may seem. Both require resilience, a strong mindset, and the development of consistent habits. If you're willing to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the lessons from one area of life, you'll find those lessons carry over to every other aspect.
So, what's your next "scary" step?
On November 5th, I am hosting a free workshop to help you navigate the holiday season while staying on track with your fat loss goals—without missing out on the fun! In this workshop, you'll learn practical strategies for enjoying your favorite holiday foods, managing stress, and exercising while staying focused on your health. We'll cover sustainable nutrition tips, mindset shifts for long-term success, and simple ways to keep active during the busiest time of year. Don't just survive the holidays—thrive through them! Save your spot here!
Hope to see you there!
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Questions? I’d love to help.
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