Chief Endurance Officer

What can endurance athletes teach us about staying calm under pressure in leadership? In this episode of The Chief Endurance Officer, host Greg McDonough sits down with Kris Swarthout, a competitive athlete, coach, business owner, mentor, and retired police officer whose diverse career path offers powerful lessons in mindset, preparation, and adaptability. From high-stakes moments in law enforcement to training athletes for race day, Kris shares how endurance principles shape his leadership approach. He also dives into his entrepreneurial ventures, including Final K Sports Services and Minnesota Hockey Lockers, highlighting how combining passion and purpose can fuel sustainable success.

Key Takeaways for Leaders
  • Visualize and prepare. Coaching athletes with scenario planning and visualization mirrors how effective leaders prep teams for the unexpected.
  • Lead with purpose. Knowing your “why” creates focus and clarity, whether you're coaching athletes or guiding a business.
  • Support your team by offloading burdens. Final K enables coaches to focus on their strengths by removing administrative friction. Leaders should do the same for their people.
  • Explore passion projects. Kris’s custom hockey locker business started as therapy but became a creative, revenue-generating outlet. Leaders benefit from fulfilling side ventures.
  • Don’t obsess over the data. Execution matters more than perfection. Leaders should focus on the big picture and not get derailed by minor deviations.

Quote of the Show:
  • " Don't try to be everything to everybody." - Kris Swarthout

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Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

Creators and Guests

Host
Gregory McDonough
Greg McDonough is a seasoned executive who has owned and operated businesses in the professional services sector, navigating them through both good and tough times. He brings his personal experience of knowing what it’s like to be ‘in the owner’s seat’ when working with clients, taking time to ask the questions others may not.
Producer
Rebecca Leberman

What is Chief Endurance Officer?

Join host Greg McDonough on a transformative journey as "The Chief Endurance Officer" explores the incredible power of positive energy and sustained effort. This podcast delves into the real-life stories of individuals who have harnessed the endurance mindset to achieve remarkable goals in every facet of life – personal achievements, professional success, and athletic triumphs. Visit our website www.chiefenduranceofficer.com for additional resources and exclusive content, and subscribe to hear these inspiring episodes every Friday!