Some call it mental toughness. Others think of it as mental strength or endurance. By any name, “mental stamina” refers to our ability to cope with stressors, challenges, and a heavy cognitive load. It impacts performance under pressure, the rate at which we mentally tire out, and the ability to maintain focus and concentration.

The importance of quality rest can’t be overstated. Studies show that not getting enough sleep – or not sleeping well – can contribute to a host of health problems ranging from mental health conditions to heart disease. Of course, I’m not just talking about sleep quality. As athletes, we must remember to rest well. Overtraining can cause serious problems, not only hindering your performance but contributing to potentially long-term health issues.

Self-sabotage is a common behavior. We’ve all been guilty of it at some point, whether in our relationships, career, or inner self. Self-sabotage refers to behaviors and patterns that hinder you from achieving your full potential. These habits may not lead to loss or failure, but they prevent you from thriving. 

Running has been a part of my life for years. I’ve run the races, put in the time, and found the sweet spot that combines achievement and enjoyment. But it wasn’t always like that. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes as an endurance runner. 

Charity runs and marathons are a big deal. Search for a charity run in your area and you’re bound to find a host of options throughout the year, each supporting causes ranging from cancer research to bringing clean water to remote villages in Africa.

Now, I could make a list of runs for you – but honestly? The ones you can do often depend on where you are. And we all know, for example, how big of a deal something like the St. Jude 5k Weekend is. 

I will quickly mention a run near and dear to my heart: The Cancer Kickers Big Buffalo 50! This 50-mile run directly benefits The Cancer Kickers Soccer Club, a charity my wife and I founded to provide community, care, and support for children battling cancer around the world. The 2024 race will be held Saturday, March 23, so I wanted to put it on your radar! 

With that said, how do charity 5Ks, runs, and marathons work? Here’s what you need to know and how to make the most of your participation!

As a leader and entrepreneur, growing pains are one of the most challenging things you’ll encounter. With success comes rapid growth, which demands accommodations you may not be prepared for. You may not have enough employees to handle the new workload, resources to manage it all, space to operate, or systems to work efficiently.

Growing your business is always exciting, but it comes with its challenges. At a crucial juncture, you’ll realize that you need more hands on deck to accomplish your goals. But adding someone to your team isn’t as easy as throwing up a job listing and scheduling interviews. 

Many times, leadership involves building successful, high-performance teams of professionals. A cohesive, effective team is arguably more important than the head honcho. Leaders must do everything in their power to avoid dysfunction and encourage excellence.

If you’ve ever tried to improve your eating habits, you know how challenging it can be. The diet industry is a multi-billion dollar business, and they’re constantly marketing new things as the answer to our wellness woes.

Sometimes our best intentions go awry. We want to get in shape, stick to our fitness routine, and achieve our goals. But let’s be honest: sometimes, life gets in the way. Between crunch time at the office, illnesses, or other disruptions in our routine, hitting the gym can be easier said than done.

Knowing when you’re ready to strike out on your own as an entrepreneur is a challenge in and of itself. So many new business ventures fail due to a lack of proper planning and foresight – and you certainly don’t want to be part of that statistic!

Sometimes it’s difficult for busy professionals to have an objective perspective on their lives. If we’re not careful, we can get so caught up in the daily grind that we don’t see clearly. This is especially true where work-life balance is concerned. Unfortunately for us, we can operate out-of-balance for quite some time – only recognizing the problem when it culminates in catastrophic burnout.

A lot of leadership content I see is geared toward handling crises. And to be fair, having guidance on hand for unprecedented challenges is extremely valuable. I do see, though, that this approach can put us in a “damage control” mode versus prevention. We’re focused on putting out fires rather than fireproofing.

Summer is in full swing here in Tennessee. The South has been under a heatwave lately, making outdoor activities more untenable than usual. I’m used to running in year-round conditions, hot or cold, but even I have to admit that things are getting toasty!

Our bodies are highly efficient machines. They’ll give us everything we need – if we treat them well and offer quality fuel. The best types of fuel for your body (especially for exercise) are complex carbohydrates.

Regret is a natural part of the human experience. There will always be things left undone and unsaid, time wasted, words fumbled, and mistakes made. Regret can be used to avoid future missteps: part of the entrepreneurial trial by fire that leads to refinement.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to reach the next level of success or an aspiring athlete hoping to crush your fitness goals, self-discipline is a key component of success. Unfortunately, being disciplined is often easier said than done.

As a leader of any kind – a boss, a CEO, a manager, or an entrepreneur – it’s never easy when someone leaves. Losing a valuable team member will always come with some sort of upheaval even in the most ideal circumstances.

I don’t know a single athlete that rushes to the doctor at the first sign of trouble. I’m certainly not one of them! It may not make logical sense, but I think there’s a part of ourselves that believes if we avoid getting an official diagnosis, we can get moving forward. But trust me, any real injury is going to stop you from keeping up with your training schedule – whether or not you visit a physician.

As much as I talk about how important it is for leaders to support their teams, I think we must acknowledge the other side of the coin. Leaders need support too, and when they don’t have it, they can grow bitter, unmotivated, and ineffective. After all, getting anything done when everyone else seems to be working against you is like Sisyphus eternally pushing the boulder up a hill.