Built By Endurance

Kyle Black got talked into his first Spartan race at a backyard barbecue. About a dozen races later, he's finished a marathon, a 50K, and he's now attempting a backyard ultra he mapped out around his own neighborhood in the Phoenix heat. Kyle is a physical therapist and clinic director who was fast-tracked into leadership less than a year out of school. In this episode, Kyle talks about why "movem...

Daryl Klingaman was sitting one point shy of the obese category before he turned his health around, going on to run ultras, finishing half Ironmans, and getting down to 8% body fat. That same drive shows up in his business. He joined Disruptive Advertising as an early sales hire and helped grow it from under 10 employees to 160 across roles as partner, CRO, and COO. He went on to buy and later sel...

Lorenzo Gesaldi grew up as an asthmatic kid in a small Italian town who was told he wasn't good enough to compete. That line became the engine for everything that followed. In this episode he traces the path from swimming, to his first marathon in Geneva, to Ironman racing in Brazil and Italy, and finally into ultra running. He talks about the UTMB race destroying him, racing 225 kilometers in Reu...

Damon Dixon spent 29 years in the Navy. He came in as an undersized kid chasing a Division I football dream, walked on at the Naval Academy, and went on to break receiving records that still stand. Along the way he helped coordinate the evacuation of 14,000 Americans from Lebanon and finished the Ironman World Championship in Kona twice. In this conversation Damon talks about the mentor who told h...

Ben Kepes dropped out of high school, became an electrician, and ended up co-founding an outdoor apparel brand in New Zealand before "entrepreneur" was even a word people used. Thirty-five years later, he's made 50 to 60 angel investments across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, earned a big buckle at the Leadville 100, and is one of only five "originals" to have run all ten edit...

Elton shares his remarkable journey from Albania to Dallas, highlighting his experiences in endurance racing, career in finance, and passion for pigeon racing. His philosophy of 'La Vita è Bella' reflects his pursuit of satisfaction and achievement in life, while his active participation in hobbies and endurance sports shapes his approach to perseverance and patience. Takeaways Diverse experiences...

JG shares his journey from competitive rugby to endurance sports and off-road racing, as well as his career as a senior data scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He discusses the challenges and rewards of both pursuits and provides valuable insights into the application of AI in the biotech industry. Takeaways Endurance sports and off-road racing Transition from rugby to endurance sports Injury an...

The conversation covers Spencer's background in endurance sports, his involvement in Mission 22 and the Ruck 100 event, the impact of endurance events on mental health, leadership lessons and career, the parallel between endurance sports and business, adapting and pivoting in endurance events, mental toughness and motivation, and the impact of fatherhood on perspective. Takeaways Endurance sports...

Jackie, an endurance athlete, shares her journey from half marathons to ultra marathons, the challenges of training, and the role of running in her recovery from alcohol addiction. She offers advice, discusses future goals, and shares motivational strategies for overcoming challenges during races. Takeaways Transition from half marathons to ultra marathons Running as a form of recovery Chapters 00...

The conversation covers the journey of Schalk Grobbelaar, an endurance athlete and entrepreneur. He he discusses his involvement in ultra racing, training for endurance, balancing training with work, his transition to the timber tech and innovation space, the challenges and lessons learned in entrepreneurship, and his future plans for WoodTechie. Schalk shares insights into his training methods, t...

Earl M. Furfine shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, accidental entry into Ironman, the similarities between project management and endurance racing, and lessons in compassionate leadership. The conversation delves into the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships in business, the journey into the whiskey business, the significance of appreciating what you have and who y...

Fred Redd shares his journey from opera singing to becoming an Ironman athlete and founding consulting businesses. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and people skills in the consulting industry, drawing parallels between the world of opera and the world of business. The conversation covers topics such as AI disruption in consulting, critical thinking in entry-level jobs, hiring entry-le...

The conversation covers Patrick's journey from triathlons to ultra marathons, his experience with Ironman events, the challenges of endurance training, writing books, and the launch of his business, ERP Mentor. Patrick shares insights into ERP systems, the role of ERP Mentor, and his future plans. Takeaways Endurance sports require mental and physical resilience. ERP Mentor provides guidance for s...

Mason, an accomplished endurance athlete, shares his journey from starting out in endurance sports to participating in Ironman and ultra marathon races. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, support networks, and the humbling nature of endurance sports. His experiences highlight the mental and physical preparation required for racing and the enduring lifestyle it entails. The conversation cover...

Bob Reich shares his journey from childhood to becoming an Ironman athlete, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and the mental resilience required. His experiences reflect the power of dedication and determination in overcoming life's challenges, paralleling the journey of an Ironman race. The conversation covers themes of life, loss, and faith, career transition and early years, the transition...

CT shares his journey from fast-twitch athlete to endurance sports enthusiast, highlighting the impact of racing on his career. He discusses the importance of resilience, time management, and the power of marginal gains, drawing parallels between endurance sports and the business world. CT also shares insights on building a successful career, starting a business, and investing in AI startups. Take...