The Psychology of Endurance: What entrepreneurs can learn from athletes about passion, overcoming mental obstacles, and the courage to get started
Release Date: 08/12/2016
Introducing: Channel Mastery from Kristin Carpenter-Ogden
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Thank you so much for all your support throughout the years at Intrepid Entrepreneur. I want to make you aware of my latest project, Channel Mastery. Check it out at: And subscribe in iTunes . Thank you, and I will see you over there!
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info_outlineWhat is it that first drew you to the outdoor sports markets? Where did that first spark of passion for entrepreneurship in the outdoor markets come from? For so many of us, the answer is simple: we love outdoor sports, and we had a great idea for how to improve the experience!
What isn’t often discussed is the overlap in the psychology of being an entrepreneur, and that of an endurance athlete. So many of the skills that we learn from athletics and the outdoors are directly relevant to the experience of getting a business started and sustaining it.
To shed even more light on this overlap, I’m taking with Matt Fitzgerald, author of How Bad Do You Want It, on what he’s learned about “endurance psychology”, the psychology of mind over muscle that gets people through tough physical competitions.
In writing this book, Matt did case studies of athletes like Ned Overend, Siri Lindley and John "The Penguin" Bingham. He’s discussing what it is that motivates and sustains them to such high levels. We’re talking about passion, drive, and the “why” that are necessary to win races, and to start a business.
Matt and I are also discussing something that I personally struggle with – the courage to start! Just getting started on a business idea or in a sport can be daunting, to the point that some of us have ideas we’ve never looked into, sports we’ve never explored for fear of failure.
These fears are limiters and obstacles that will come out in any stressful situation, and what has more potential for stress than the pursuit of our goals? Matt’s looked at endurance athletes that have overcome negative mentalities to go on to amazing careers, and he’s sharing what he’s learned.
Endurance psychology is crucial for athletes in outdoor sports, entrepreneurs, or anyone with an achievement goal. I’ve already read Matt’s book three times, and I’m thrilled with the insights he’s bringing to this week’s podcast.
Bravery in Business Quote
"The greatest athletic performances spring from the mind, not the body." - Matt Fitzgerald
(Click to tweet)
Cliff Notes
- There is a ton of overlap between endurance sports and being a passion-driven entrepreneur, and not just because a lot of entrepreneurs in the outdoor markets got into them through a love of outdoor sports.
- Any high performer in any kind of endeavor needs to know how to maintain passion. Make sure you’re taking the time to nurture that passion and do what you enjoy outside, to bring that creativity back in and remember why you got into outdoor sports entrepreneurism in the first place.
- Working on a business with another person/ team sports/ mastermind groups can help you to aim for high performance goals, when team work & competition are on your side. Working in a competitive group can serve self-interest and personal goals, while also serving the goals of team mates.
- Everyone has limiters and obstacles and when we’re stressed in pursuit of difficult goals, these limiters in our psychology will come out, and then we have to figure out how to overcome them.
- You have to know what personally motivates you in order to perform at the highest levels. What is the meaning of this story/event/business, for you? These answers are not the same for every person, so you need to know what yours are.
- It can sometimes take the most courage just to start running, start expanding on or just looking into your business idea. You might not be the best at whatever sport, might not be the biggest in the industry, but you have to decide what the point is for you to work your hardest so that it’s worth even beginning.
- You can start for any reason you want. As long as you know what your reason is, this can give you the courage to begin.
- Kristin is giving away 5 signed copies of book
“You need a fit body to be able to perform well as an endurance athlete, but your real fundamental limiter is your mind.” - Matt Fitzgerald
(Click to tweet)
Resources:
MattFitzgerald.org
VeloPress.com