COURAGE

Podcast Version
(with NotebookLM AI)

COURAGE: The Catalyst That Ignites Success (part of TFOS)

You can have the best-laid plans (Preparation) and be aware of any and all opportunities (Vision), but without Courage, they remain locked in your notebook, safe and useless. In the equation Preparation × Vision × Courage = Success, courage isn’t the cherry on top, it’s the ignition key. If C (Courage) = 0, then it all equals zero.
​
COURAGE is the multiplier. It’s the bold move. The committed step. The trait that turns potential energy into kinetic action. In triathlon terms, it’s jumping into cold, choppy water when your brain screams “not today.” In the boardroom, it’s signing that deal, launching the new strategy, or saying no to an overpaid comfort zone.

1. Grit and Resilience: The Daily Fight

Courage shows up not in grand moments, but in the grind. Grit means choosing to get into the ring every day. It means giving that presentation, even if the last one did not go great. It means getting into the open water, even when there are waves.

Resilience? That’s the comeback story. Fall down seven, get up eight. It’s not heroic. It’s habit. In sport and business, you won’t avoid setbacks. Courage is what keeps your feet moving forward even when your confidence is taking body blows.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas A. Edison

2. Risk-Taking and Overcoming Fear: Playing Beyond the Comfort Zone

Every promotion, every race, every investment in yourself or others carries risk. Courage isn’t being fearless, it’s being willing to act despite the fear.
Fear says: “What if I fail?”

Courage says: “What if I don’t try and regret it forever?”
Taking smart, calculated risks is essential in both sport and boardrooms. Think Ironman debuts, startup launches, or take a sabbatical to reset your life strategy. These aren't reckless. They're necessary inflection points.

If you never feel fear, you’re not playing a big enough game.

3. Strategic Action: Boldness Without Blindness

Courage isn’t the loudest person in the room or the first to jump. Real courage is calculated.
You don’t storm the battlefield without recon. You train hard, assess risks, and then you take the leap. That’s the intersection of Preparation, Vision, and Courage. It’s not impulsive, it’s informed bravery. It is calculated decision making under uncertainty, just like management.

Be bold. But be smart.

4. Emotional Intelligence: Strength with Self-Control

Courage is also quiet. It's walking into conflict and leading with empathy. It’s receiving feedback without defensiveness. It’s holding the mirror up to your own leadership flaws without cracking.
In high-stress situations, on the racecourse or in crisis meetings, emotional courage keeps the team together. It’s what separates explosive egos from composed commanders.

Want to lead under pressure? Get comfortable being uncomfortable with yourself.
 
5. Accountability and Ownership: No More Excuses

The courageous don’t hide behind circumstances or teams. They own the outcome, win or lose.
You missed a deadline? Own it. Your athlete didn’t perform? Analyze your coaching. You bonked at kilometer 28? Learn, adapt, and move forward.

Excuses are a virus. Courage is the cure.
 
6. COURAGE IS THE MULTIPLIER

Without courage, the equation collapses. Preparation × Vision × 0 = zero. You need courage for the breakthrough, not just the blueprint.

So, what does COURAGE look like today?

• Signing up for the race before you're fully "ready"
• Saying no to projects that drain you
• Saying yes to help, even if it bruises your pride
• Having the difficult conversation
• Admitting you were wrong

That’s not weakness. That’s growth. That’s movement. That’s COURAGE.

Don’t forget: It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey!

BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN:
​
The beauty about courage is that it is addictive and there is no turning back. Once you get the courage to overcome your fears, the adrenaline will keep you from falling behind ever again. You just proved to yourself that you CAN DO IT ! So next time, you can take it just one more step further.

✅ Pick one thing today that scares you and do it.
✅ Reflect on a time you acted with courage. What did it unlock?
✅ Write down one bold thing you’ve been avoiding—and take one step toward it.
✅ Ask yourself: "If I weren’t afraid, what would I do right now?"

Share this blog/newsletter with your friends, family, and colleagues who are also pursuing a sportier and healthier lifestyle!