How CEOs Train Like Elite Athletes to Lead at Peak Performance

The world’s best CEOs don’t just lead — they train. They approach leadership the same way elite athletes approach competition: with discipline, focus and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. In fact, how CEOs train like elite athletes says a lot about their leadership success. These top-performing executives don’t wait for challenges to arise. They prepare for them — mentally, physically and strategically.

As a former All-American distance runner at the University of Colorado Boulder, I learned that mindset and preparation are the key to the difference between merely showing up and truly excelling. When an injury ended my athletic career, I had to rebuild — an experience many CEOs face when disruption strikes. What stuck with me from the track to the boardroom was this: peak performance doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built through daily, deliberate effort. That’s exactly how top CEOs lead — and why they perform like elite athletes.

Based on my experience as both a competitive athlete and a CEO working with high-performing leaders around the world, here are 5 ways CEOs can train like elite athletes to lead at their best.

1. Set Personal Goals Like You’re in Training Camp

Great CEOs don’t leave growth to chance. They treat each week like an athlete entering training camp — focused, intentional, and goal-driven. One of the most powerful pieces of advice I ever received came from my high school track coach, Bob Brown: “Pick a goal at the start of every season.” That lesson changed how I approached everything.

Today, I use what I call the 6 Fs — family, finances, function, faith, fitness, and future — to set goals that keep me grounded and improving. This ritual is common among elite leaders. It’s not just about goal setting—it’s about training your discipline muscle. How CEOs train like elite athletes often starts with setting targets that matter.

2. Box Yourself In With Standards and Stick to Them

Whether on the track or in the boardroom, standards matter. Elite athletes create accountability by declaring their goals out loud. CEOs can do the same. When you share your expectations, you invite accountability from your team — and yourself.

But accountability doesn’t thrive in isolation. Even Olympians have coaches. The best CEOs build similar support networks — mentors, advisors and peers who challenge them to level up. It’s another powerful example of how CEOs train like elite athletes: by surrounding themselves with people who elevate their game.

3. Train Through Discomfort: Discipline > Motivation

It’s easy to perform when everything’s going your way. But true leadership shows up in the hard moments — when you’re tired, uncertain or stretched thin. Elite CEOs know that motivation is fleeting. Discipline is what gets results.

There’s a saying in sports: “You don’t know who your best players are until your team gets its butts kicked.” In business, adversity is the ultimate test. How CEOs train like elite athletes comes down to this principle: show up, no matter what. The best leaders push through discomfort because they’ve trained for it.

4. Build a Real Team — Not Just Departments

The strongest organizations operate as one team with a unified vision. That starts at the top. In companies, just like in sports, silos kill momentum. Great CEOs build teams that collaborate, support one another, and share ownership of outcomes.

This is another area where CEOs train like elite athletes — they foster a culture of shared goals and mutual respect. They know that unity isn’t just nice to have; it’s a competitive advantage.

5. Embrace Diverse Thinking Like a Winning Locker Room

Winning teams don’t all think the same. They bring together diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions, and rally around a shared purpose. The best CEOs encourage dissent, not discourage it. They create space for tough conversations and alternate viewpoints.

When you build a team that values different ways of thinking, you unlock better decisions and stronger results. It’s yet another way how CEOs train like elite athletes — by building dynamic, inclusive cultures where everyone gets better together.

Train Like an Athlete. Lead Like a CEO.

The top CEOs in the world don’t rely on talent alone. They train. They build systems around goal setting, discipline, accountability and teamwork — just like elite athletes. They embrace discomfort, seek feedback, and surround themselves with people who challenge them to improve.

You don’t need to be an athlete to lead like one. However, if you want to win, you must train like one. That’s the key to staying competitive in today’s business environment.

So build your habits. Strengthen your mindset. And commit to consistent improvement. That’s how CEOs train like elite athletes — and why it works.

This story first appeared in Entrepreneur.

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