681: Dave Olsen is a CEO & Mountain Biker [podcast]

Dave Olsen, founder and CEO of Nimbl, shares how his passion for mountain biking has played a transformative role in his happiness, resilience, and approach to work. Dave began biking as a practical means of commuting during his time at BYU, but it quickly developed into a favorite release and source of therapy, helping him ground himself and train for life’s challenges. He recounts memorable biking adventures, including completing the 200-mile LoToJa race and conquering the 100-mile White Rim Trail in a single day, which gave him proof that difficult goals are achievable with determination and the right mindset. Dave explains how the mental and physical endurance he builds on the trail directly translates to his ability to handle business and personal challenges with greater confidence. At Nimbl, he intentionally fosters a culture that values the whole person, encouraging employees to pursue their own “And” outside of work and to integrate personal goals into their professional journeys. Dave emphasizes the importance of being open about hobbies and interests, noting that it not only enriches life but also helps him and his team show up as better leaders, teammates, and humans.

Episode Highlights

· Dave shared that mountain biking is not just a hobby, but a crucial source of happiness, energy, and personal grounding for him, acting as a form of release and therapy.
· He emphasized that investing time in mountain biking (or any passion) actually makes him a better leader, employee, husband, and father, as he returns to work and life “lit up,” refreshed, and more effective.
· At his company, Nimbl, Dave intentionally integrates space for employees’ personal goals and passions, aligning individual fulfillment with business needs and making it a key part of their people experience.
· Dave talked about how the perseverance, mental toughness, and training discipline developed through biking directly help him handle stressful or challenging moments at work and in life.
· He encourages sharing “Ands” at work and believes companies are more successful and people are happier when everyone is seen as a whole, multidimensional person, not just for their job titles or roles.