Think Like an Athlete: Leadership Lessons from a 28,000 KM Run
What does it take to run 28,000 kilometers across four continents in under 700 days? Grit, resilience, and a mindset leaders can learn from.
In a powerful episode of Sal Silvester on the Future of Leadership, record-setting endurance athlete Marie “Lootie” Léautéy shares the mental frameworks and disciplined practices that helped her become the fastest woman to run around the world. But this conversation is not just about extreme physical performance. It is about the kind of leadership required to stay focused, grounded, and adaptable through any challenge.
Lootie opens up about the moment that sparked her transformation, the systems she developed to test and expand her limits, and how she stayed emotionally resilient through long stretches of solitude. From injury prevention to daily mindset resets, her journey offers a fresh perspective on leading with intention.
As part of Season 7, focused on Elevating Human Performance at Work, this episode highlights practical takeaways leaders can apply right away:
- Build sustainable routines that grow capacity over time
- Practice recovery and self-regulation under pressure
- Reconnect with purpose when motivation fades
- Lead with identity and values instead of ego or fear
Lootie’s story reminds us that leadership isn’t about intensity – it’s about consistency, self-reflection, and showing up with purpose.
Ready to lead like an athlete?
Download our free Ultimate Goal Setting Guide to build intentional routines, stay focused under pressure, and achieve meaningful progress, just like Lootie did on her journey across four continents.