While there have been many displays of grit at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris, one in particular will remain etched in my memory -- Britain’s Tom Pidcock's mountain bike race to victory. If you missed it, here are the highlights. Pidcock had to make an unplanned pit stop on his third lap (in this 8-lap event) to replace a flat tire, which put him way behind the leaders and almost certainly out of the running for a stellar finish. With five laps to go, he jumped back in and is quoted as telling himself, “There’s no point in stressing over it, is there? That’s not going to get me back to the front.” Pidcock gave it his all. Fast forward to the final lap of the 22-mile race, and Pidcock was in the number two position, following the top-ranked mountain biker in the world. When the leader had an unlucky break, Pidcock jumped to the lead to claim the gold for Great Britain. You can check out the details here: https://lnkd.in/gxsp7q2k. I have an observation from Pidcock's surprising comeback that I believe applies to us as business leaders. With so much uncertainty in our environment, a catastrophe in the early stages of a project or career isn't always fatal. But it does require grit -- including an abundance of mental toughness -- to make a comeback. If you've got a personal comeback story, I'd love to hear about it over a cup of coffee.
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Watching the Olympics this weekend, I remembered when Michael Phelps absolutely dominated at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and this photo was in almost every magazine and newspaper around the world. Initially, the rivalry between de Clos and Phelps was my main interest (and it's an interesting story; you can read more via the link below), but as I looked more closely at the image, something else struck me...the singular focus by Phelps on the task at hand. He and de Clos had trash-talked each other and had waffled between being friends, enemies and "frenemies," but if you look closely, de Clos is more interested in taunting Phelps than in winning, and Phelps is wholly focused on his end goal...being the best he can be. This is a fantastic metaphor for life...don't worry about anyone else, their victories...or failures...just concentrate on the task at hand. You may not win the race (or maybe you will), but the race isn't the end goal; being better than you were before is the ultimate win. #MotivationMonday #focus #goaldigger #motivation #goals #mindset #success #business #LeaderofthePack #DontLookBack #concentration Phelps/de Clos Rivalry: https://buff.ly/4c2HEGH
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LSSMBB | MBA | TQM | COPC-HPMT | Business Analytics | Architect of Business Excellence | Top LinkedIn Voice
Success is constantly evolving! Carl Lewis was a superstar in the 1980s and 1990s, winning nine Olympic gold medals and setting an astounding 100-meter record of 9.92 seconds. At this year's Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville matched that time, but finished last. What's the lesson here? Success is a dynamic concept. What was remarkable yesterday is now the norm. To succeed in sports, business, or personal ambitions, we must constantly push our limits and embrace new techniques. #success #constancy #outstanding #sustainability #Numbers_always_talk.
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Marketing | Isostatic & Flow Control Refractories | Marathon Runner | Fitness Enthusiast | Nutrition Advisor | AI aficionado
Kaizen is a Japanese term that translates to “change for the better” or “continuous improvement.” It is a philosophy and a methodology that focuses on making small, incremental improvements in processes, products, or systems over time. Kaizen is widely practiced in various industries, particularly in manufacturing, but it can be applied to any area of business or personal life. What an example below 🙏🏻🙏🏻
MD CBEPL Group of companies, Dy. Director American Society for Quality (Russia, Asia, India, Australia, Newzealand), Chairman ASQ India Section, Vice President Baroda Management Association (2023-24)
In the summer of 1988, the world watched in awe as Carl Lewis, a legendary athlete, sprinted down the track at the Seoul Olympics. The air was thick with anticipation as he lined up alongside the fastest men on the planet. The starter's pistol cracked through the silence, and like a bolt of lightning, Lewis surged forward. Every stride was a testament to his years of dedication, training, and unwavering belief in his abilities. As he crossed the finish line, the clock stopped at 9.92 seconds. The crowd erupted in cheers. Carl Lewis was crowned the fastest man in the world, his name etched in history. Fast forward to the year 2024, the Olympics were now a dazzling spectacle of athletic prowess, where the standards had been pushed to extraordinarily new heights. Among the competitors stood a young sprinter named Seville, his heart pounding with the same hopes and dreams that had fueled athletes for generations. He knew the history, the legacy he was up against. The names of champions like Carl Lewis were not just stories but benchmarks, reminders of what greatness looked like. The race began, and Seville poured every ounce of energy into each stride. The finish line drew closer, and with one final burst of speed, he crossed it. The scoreboard flashed his time: 9.91 seconds. He had run faster than Carl Lewis had in 1988. But as Seville caught his breath, he looked up to see the names ahead of him. He wasn’t first. He wasn’t even second or third. Seville had finished last. The weight of this realization settled in, a mix of pride in his accomplishment and the sting of falling short. But as the initial disappointment faded, a new understanding dawned on him. What had once been a world record was now the baseline. What had once been extraordinary was now the standard. Lesson: Don't be complacent. Your biggest competition is your own self. You don't lose, someone who deserves wins. #Olympic #Paris #Inspiration Story courtesy: My friend Kamal Sehgal
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This encapsulates the premise of continuous improvement to establish new benchmarks. #benchmarks #kpi #training #lean
MD CBEPL Group of companies, Dy. Director American Society for Quality (Russia, Asia, India, Australia, Newzealand), Chairman ASQ India Section, Vice President Baroda Management Association (2023-24)
In the summer of 1988, the world watched in awe as Carl Lewis, a legendary athlete, sprinted down the track at the Seoul Olympics. The air was thick with anticipation as he lined up alongside the fastest men on the planet. The starter's pistol cracked through the silence, and like a bolt of lightning, Lewis surged forward. Every stride was a testament to his years of dedication, training, and unwavering belief in his abilities. As he crossed the finish line, the clock stopped at 9.92 seconds. The crowd erupted in cheers. Carl Lewis was crowned the fastest man in the world, his name etched in history. Fast forward to the year 2024, the Olympics were now a dazzling spectacle of athletic prowess, where the standards had been pushed to extraordinarily new heights. Among the competitors stood a young sprinter named Seville, his heart pounding with the same hopes and dreams that had fueled athletes for generations. He knew the history, the legacy he was up against. The names of champions like Carl Lewis were not just stories but benchmarks, reminders of what greatness looked like. The race began, and Seville poured every ounce of energy into each stride. The finish line drew closer, and with one final burst of speed, he crossed it. The scoreboard flashed his time: 9.91 seconds. He had run faster than Carl Lewis had in 1988. But as Seville caught his breath, he looked up to see the names ahead of him. He wasn’t first. He wasn’t even second or third. Seville had finished last. The weight of this realization settled in, a mix of pride in his accomplishment and the sting of falling short. But as the initial disappointment faded, a new understanding dawned on him. What had once been a world record was now the baseline. What had once been extraordinary was now the standard. Lesson: Don't be complacent. Your biggest competition is your own self. You don't lose, someone who deserves wins. #Olympic #Paris #Inspiration Story courtesy: My friend Kamal Sehgal
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Sports nutritionist • Speaker • Author • I teach athletic people how to choose an effective food plan for high energy, optimal performance, and weight management—as well as resolve any food/body image concerns.
Tips for athletic people who want to perform at their best...
How to Eat Like the Champions
nancyclarkmsrdcssd.substack.com
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I am a native speaker of English, Spanish and Greek and I majored in English Pedagogy in UDLA, Viña del Mar.
## Jim Thorpe’s Disqualification: A Tale of Triumph and Injustice 🌟🏅 Jim Thorpe, often hailed as the greatest athlete of his time, made history at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics by winning gold in both the pentathlon and decathlon. His unparalleled athletic prowess and iconic moments, like winning the high jump in mismatched shoes, cemented his legendary status. Yet, Thorpe's achievements were overshadowed by a significant controversy. ### 🏅 The Golden Era Thorpe's feats were nothing short of extraordinary. The King of Sweden himself dubbed him the greatest athlete in the world. His Olympic performances set records that lasted well into the 20th century, showcasing his versatility and dominance across multiple sports. ### 🚫 Disqualification Drama However, Thorpe’s Olympic success was marred by the IOC's rigid and, at times, discriminatory rules on amateurism. The IOC disqualified him, citing violations of their Victorian-era standards—rules that were frequently bent or ignored by white athletes without consequence. This decision was seen as elitist and racially biased, casting a shadow over Thorpe's accomplishments. ### ⚖️ A Long Road to Justice Despite the initial disqualification, Thorpe’s legacy remained a point of contention. After significant pressure from supporters and a reevaluation of his case, the IOC finally returned his medals in the early 1980s, acknowledging the injustice. Jim Thorpe’s story is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by athletes of color and the ongoing struggle for fairness in sports. #JimThorpe #OlympicHistory #Stockholm1912 #AthleticLegend #IOCControversy #DisqualificationDrama #AmateurismRules #SportsInjustice #ThorpeMedals #LegacyRestored
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LinkedIn Top Voice • Speaker • Wellbeing Advisor and Advocate • Stage IV Cancer Thriver • Auntie • Dancer • Ex: Booz, Time Warner, NBCUniversal • Alum: Harvard, Stanford GSB • Empowering others to flourish in work & life
While Simone topped the podium again, her journey between Olympic wins has golden lessons for us all: - If Simone could take time off, so can you. - If Simone can bounce back better, so can you. - If Simone can defy age as much as gravity, so can you. - If Simone cheered teammates stepping up, so can you. While most of us won't ever be Olympians, we'll each have moments when we need to live these lessons. And, equally importantly, support others as they do. Part of why Simone is the best is her self-awareness. Her ability to make a tough decision on a world stage. Her bravery to pause in order to be able to keep going. All of that, pause included, carried her from gold to gold. And she isn't alone. Suni Lee's health struggles were less public as they weren't at the Olympics, but she also needed a long break that threatened her ability to return. Let's choose to learn as much from these champions' pauses as we do from their podium glory: - You know yourself best - trust your gut - It's ok to step away when you need to - Self-advocacy is an act of bravery - Invisible struggles are no less real - Believing in oneself --> possibility None of these are easy. A search of headlines from 2021 will remind how many were initially unkind to Simone. But Simone knew what most of us need to remember: No one knows us better than we know ourselves. And no one is right to judge our health decisions. As we celebrate this moment, let's also celebrate the path to the podium - one full of golden lessons for us all. Which resonates most for you? And what other lessons have you learned from favorite GOATs in any domain? Photo: Shared by Nastia Liukin on IG, 2008 gold medalist, celebrating "possibly the two greatest stories ever written...that will not just inspire generations to come, but quite simply change generations forever." Simone and Suni, holding the American flag behind them, have smiles dazzling as much as their sparkly leotards. This is post-traumatic growth turned into truly magnificent glow - as historic as their podium achievement.
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Conquer your fears, overcome blocks, stop self-sabotage, stop procrastination, be seen, be heard, BUILD POWERHOUSE MINDSET | High-Performance Mindset Coaching
What Can We Learn from Cole’s Win? 🥇 Who saw the 1500m men’s final yesterday? 🏃♂️ In a thrilling race, Cole Hocker took the coveted Olympic Gold medal in the 1500m race for the USA. 🇺🇸 Josh Kerr, the British athlete, was certainly in it to win it. 🇬🇧 In the final few seconds, just when victory was so close, Hocker even Yared Nuguse closed in. In the final few seconds, it was Cole who saw an opportunity, a gap that he immediately acted upon, leading to his fantastic win. It was a strategic race with Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway setting the pace and perhaps some tension between Josh and Jakob. This race perfectly illustrates an important lesson: No matter how much you strategise, tweak and adapt, if you don't act on time, if you don't seize the moment, and make the right decision, it could be the difference between winning or losing the prize you worked so hard for. 🥇 vs 🥈 Now, reflect on your own journey. If this were a race for your business, career, or your goal, what opportunity or moment could you seize right now that might make all the difference? Is there a decision you’ve been delaying, waiting for the “perfect” time? I am guilty of this from time to time. Sometimes, success isn’t just about having a great strategy; it’s about taking action when it counts. The right moment can pass in the blink of an eye, and winners are those who recognise and act on it. 🏆 Applause to athletes! What are your thoughts? What did you think about the race? Comment below!
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What happens when you live into two basic concepts: 1. YOU are the expert on you. 2. YOU have the right to make the health decisions that are right for you right now. (That's correct: your friends, family, guru du jour, social media influencers, lawyers, courts, and policy makers need to stay out of it unless they're supporting that right.)
LinkedIn Top Voice • Speaker • Wellbeing Advisor and Advocate • Stage IV Cancer Thriver • Auntie • Dancer • Ex: Booz, Time Warner, NBCUniversal • Alum: Harvard, Stanford GSB • Empowering others to flourish in work & life
While Simone topped the podium again, her journey between Olympic wins has golden lessons for us all: - If Simone could take time off, so can you. - If Simone can bounce back better, so can you. - If Simone can defy age as much as gravity, so can you. - If Simone cheered teammates stepping up, so can you. While most of us won't ever be Olympians, we'll each have moments when we need to live these lessons. And, equally importantly, support others as they do. Part of why Simone is the best is her self-awareness. Her ability to make a tough decision on a world stage. Her bravery to pause in order to be able to keep going. All of that, pause included, carried her from gold to gold. And she isn't alone. Suni Lee's health struggles were less public as they weren't at the Olympics, but she also needed a long break that threatened her ability to return. Let's choose to learn as much from these champions' pauses as we do from their podium glory: - You know yourself best - trust your gut - It's ok to step away when you need to - Self-advocacy is an act of bravery - Invisible struggles are no less real - Believing in oneself --> possibility None of these are easy. A search of headlines from 2021 will remind how many were initially unkind to Simone. But Simone knew what most of us need to remember: No one knows us better than we know ourselves. And no one is right to judge our health decisions. As we celebrate this moment, let's also celebrate the path to the podium - one full of golden lessons for us all. Which resonates most for you? And what other lessons have you learned from favorite GOATs in any domain? Photo: Shared by Nastia Liukin on IG, 2008 gold medalist, celebrating "possibly the two greatest stories ever written...that will not just inspire generations to come, but quite simply change generations forever." Simone and Suni, holding the American flag behind them, have smiles dazzling as much as their sparkly leotards. This is post-traumatic growth turned into truly magnificent glow - as historic as their podium achievement.
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Sports nutritionist • Speaker • Author • I teach athletic people how to choose an effective food plan for high energy, optimal performance, and weight management—as well as resolve any food/body image concerns.
Tips for athletic people who want to perform at their best...
How to Eat Like the Champions
nancyclarkmsrdcssd.substack.com
