EP 30: Insights from the NBA: Leadership, Longevity & the Contagion of Stress with Jesse Wright

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Vitality Collective Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Bettle is joined by performance coach, author, and leadership mentor Jesse Wright to explore how leadership behaviors influence personal health, team performance, and organizational culture. Drawing from years in the NBA and his current work in leadership coaching, Jesse dives deep into the concept of stress as a social contagion and the often-overlooked health habits of leaders. The conversation flows through the value of structure, sleep, strength training, and routines—and how high performers can build lasting systems that enhance both vitality and performance.

 

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👤 Guest Bio:

Jesse K. Wright is a seasoned high-performance coach and mentor with over two decades of experience, including 14 years in the NBA. He is the founder of Balance the Bar, an educational platform that teaches interpersonal skills to aspiring professionals. Jesse is also the author of The Intent Is to Grow, a business parable designed to help emerging practitioners navigate the soft skills critical to career success. His work now bridges the worlds of elite sport and executive leadership, helping individuals and teams thrive through performance-driven health strategies.

 

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🔗 Links & Resources:

• Instagram: @jessekwright
  
  

• Website: www.balancethebar.com
  
  

• Book: The Intent Is to Grow – Available on Amazon
  
  

• LinkedIn: Jesse K. Wright
  
  

 

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✅ 3 Actionable Takeaways:

1. Establish a Performance Primer: Begin each day with a simple, repeatable action (e.g., journaling, prepping your workspace, or organizing your gear) to set the tone for performance and focus.
   
   

2. Prioritize Sleep as a Strategic Advantage: Treat sleep as a tool for peak decision-making, emotional regulation, and high-stakes leadership—not a weakness or expendable resource.
   
   

3. Color Your Plate: Aim for colorful vegetables and fruits with every meal to improve energy, brain health, and emotional resilience.
   
   

 

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📌 Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• Stress is contagious—leaders set the emotional climate for their teams and families.
  
  

• The most impactful leaders model their values through healthy routines.
  
  

• Lack of sleep and poor recovery undermine both executive and athletic performance.
  
  

• The “badge of honor” culture around overwork is a silent killer of productivity.
  
  

• Routines, even as small as laying out your clothes, can prime high performance.
  
  

• Strength training adds life to your years; cardiovascular training adds years to your life.
  
  

• Pro athletes don't rely on hacks—they double down on the basics done consistently.
  
  

• Leaders need game-day routines just as athletes do—peak performance is prepared.
  
  

• Decision-making capacity, creativity, and emotional intelligence are all tied to health habits.
  
  

Healthy habits aren’t soft—they’re what enable sustained elite performance.