Recall the class of statistics and the concept of the correlation coefficient — this month we will explore R2 between successful entrepreneurs and successful athletes with endurance. While hard core statistics show that the odds against achieving “success” are measured by creating millions during an IPO or being the best finisher in Kona, I had the opportunity to interview 12 entrepreneurs who are very successful in their entrepreneurial endeavors, and when you layer on top of their hardy achievements, we would all agree that they are just awesome.
Although we cannot conclude that between successful entrepreneurs and endurance athletes there is a connection between scientific relationships, there is no doubt that these characteristics are embodied in both classes of people: discipline, extreme movement and vision. “Successful entrepreneurs and athletes should have a vision, as well as dedication and desire to make this vision a reality,” comments Ryan Wrurch, chairman and CEO of Motricity: “As an entrepreneur and athlete, you face the problems and intensity levels that sometimes seem too great to overcome, but in both cases you push through. "
Bud Whitmeyer, general partner of Research Triangle Ventures agreements, “Both classes of people must have a“ mentality ”. Chef Sarig Agasi knows the recipe - he takes his time in the kitchen at Zely & Ritz called Organic Style as one of America's 20 best restaurants, but not on the road. His best interventions, including special sports menus, come to mind during training to beat 3:00 in the next Boston marathon.
Donna Jensen, the former CEO of Startups.com in the Gulf and currently working at Vibrant Ventures in Chapel Hill, believes that the relationship between entrepreneurship and endurance sports is “a good and healthy endorphin reserve”; most successful entrepreneurs have a high level of energy and tremendous endurance, probably due to the powerful effect of endorphins. " She adds that she does not know any entrepreneur on steroids! Jensen always loved to run, and when she launched Startups.com in 2002, she reported on her first marathon and “discovered that the euphoric feeling was back at mile 10 and was hooked.” She discovered that she is not alone. “During the training, I met with many victims of the dot.com CEO who also studied for a marathon or a triathlon.” Thus, endurance sports are also ideal for entrepreneurs between enterprises.
This is also true for me - in 2001, after completing my one-year tour of working with OpenSite Technologies here in Durham, with Siebel Systems in San Mateo, I started training for my first marathon with the Society of Leukemia and Lymphoma; s Team In Training, and now I am a trustee and board member, where our mission is to eradicate cancer associated with blood.
Austin entrepreneur Kevin Pshibotsky, co-founder of Anue Systems, makes a strong statement that I also watched the behavior in my area of the bay, Boston and RTP-entrepreneurial collections: “This is not for fame, money or health benefits - there are many other ways to make money and get the form. For these types of activities, it is more about challenging oneself, achieving goals, and achieving what one personally satisfies. mind set, not an event. • In your blood - to be an entrepreneur or an athlete with endurance. "
David Motsinger, CTO at StrikeIron, describes his entrepreneurial goals as not focused on money first, but “to succeed in creating value that helps others, helps me and allows me to learn something new, that’s good too” .
Pete Durand, CEO of Integrian, echoes the blood of Przybocki & when he announces his entrepreneurial goal - “create a great company, successfully exit, do it again”. All the businessmen with whom I spoke, like me, do not stop - we are all energetic rabbits.
Brian Bergeron, president of Archetype Technologies, who works for Cary Cary’s medical virtual hero advisory board and at the faculty of the Harvard Academy of Health Sciences, adds this important note: “Endurance sports require the ability to work alone as a group.” Teamwork is certainly crucial for successful enterprises, and where will Lance be without the strategic planning of the peloton of the Discovery Channel team? Team cohesion can make or break a successful finish.
Individually, entrepreneurial startups and endurance sports each take a big time investment.
Together, can someone suffer from another? When asked if his endurance classes interfere with or contribute to his entrepreneurial undertakings, Ryan Wuerch commented: “My physical fitness has had a positive effect on my entrepreneurial undertakings, creating confidence, energy and discipline in me much stronger than what it was before I started to train. "
Several entrepreneurs note that Whitmeyer believes that he has “less downtime due to illness,” and he is more productive. Przybocki believes that his endurance training motivates his employees - when he started cycling to work, he encouraged other people to ride (both for commuting and for others), creating a healthy workplace.
Wuerch leads several athletes from his company to form the “Team Motricity” for the LA Triathlon - just a few days before one of the largest industry shows in the industry to be held in Los Angeles. "I think the excitement and camaraderie generated by the triathlon will be a great start for the show."
While endurance certainly takes time from entrepreneurial efforts, Bergeron believes that there is a symbiotic impulse. an effect between the two that more than compensates for the time to "lose"; and therefore makes it more efficient and effective overall.
Henry Keystner, co-founder and CEO of Bandwidth.com, who last year participated in the Kone contest, co-founder, chairman and president David Morken, states that he has the right balance: “Fortunately, work and train with a phenomenal athlete for endurance I am not at the level at which the work restrained my aspirations for the megastar. I simply do not have such an opportunity, and therefore I have no such tension. which is the end point of escalation for business tasks. ”
What are the hardy pursuits of these 12-star entrepreneurs? Whitmeyer enjoys mountain biking competitions and will participate in the Hilly Hellacious Hundred in Asheville. In addition to several triathlons, Wuer plans to launch a marathon in New York and has set a goal to participate in Ironman in 2008. Durand builds endurance on long bike races of 125 miles. Keith Boswell, vice president of marketing at rPath, turned on his family to his 7-year-old child, who has his first children's triathlon at UNC. This makes it easier to manage time, because he can train on a triathlon with his wife and children. Boswell is aiming for the Olympic Triathlon Pinehurst, the semi-marathon "Inside Out Sport" this fall and the White Ozlu Half Ironman in May 2007.
Kaestner declares: “I have an unfinished business remaining in Bloody, Potskaya and Gears Century ... the illusions of greatness made me be near the trip during the first part, only to throw significantly after only 20 miles. I will improve next time. ” Morken on his plate "Attack on the mountain." Mitchell (100 miles and several thousand feet of rock climbing), the ducal infantry of Half Ironman and the Blue Ridge Brutal (another 100 miles + sufferers with an ascent of 14,000 feet). He states: "I really enjoy the high intensity and duration of these sports, and one of the advantages is higher energy and efficiency at work."
An interesting workout for busy business travelers includes a Bergeron treadmill every other day for 90 minutes - “All you need is an iPod and a staircase in a high-rise building.” He comments that this is a great training session for the Double Dipsea adventure race in Sausalito.
How long do these entrepreneurs hope to do endurance sports and which will last longer? Bergeron praises a 90-year-old man, a former Boston marathon, whom he sees at his step in Boston. “He no longer controls the steps, but he carries a backpack filled with weights ... I hope to follow in his footsteps” ... I think he means literally! While some think their bodies will be given out in front of their brains, others hope to continue their stamina even more often when their entrepreneurial activity ends, others like Wurch, who says: “I plan to be active and be an entrepreneur for the rest of my life.
Agasi, who started participating in marathons when he was 41 years old, “my mother had just been diagnosed with cancer, and this made me decide that I need to change my lifestyle in order not only to cook and eat healthy, but also to start acting and be healthy ... I literally ran for my life.
Morken, who started his first company in high school and started triathlons, while at the United States Marine Corporation ten years ago, states precisely: “I expect both classes to die with me at the same time.” Not an amazing response from the first full finisher from North Carolina at the 2005 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
There you have it - energetic drive in entrepreneurs who suffer passionately from endurance sports. From this snapshot of 12 successful entrepreneurs and strong endurance athletes, I would say that there is a definite correlation between the two riders. I thank you and wish you all the best both at your company and at the race!
