Lessons from the Ironman: What Endurance Racing Taught Me About Starting and Growing a Business

Introduction

On November 1st, 2025, I stood on the beach in Panama City, Florida, surrounded by more than a thousand athletes waiting to start the Ironman Florida race. The air was crisp, the ocean calm, and the nervous energy electric. As the waves began churning with wetsuits and arms, I reminded myself — this was never just about the race.

The Ironman is a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride, and 42.2 km run. It’s long, painful, unpredictable — and profoundly rewarding. But as I crossed that finish line late Saturday night, I realized the biggest lessons weren’t about fitness or endurance. They were about how to pursue any big, uncertain goal — like starting a business, launching a new initiative, or chasing a dream that stretches you to your limits.

Here are some of the lessons that carried me through 226 km — and how they apply to business and leadership.

1. Start with a Clear “Why”

A few weeks before the race, I heard someone say:

“You have to know your why — because on race day, when you’re tired and ready to give up, you’ll ask yourself many times, ‘Why am I doing this?’”

Your “why” fuels you when motivation fades. For me, it was about proving that consistent effort and discipline can overcome almost any limitation.

In business, your “why” is just as vital. The road is uncertain, and challenges are guaranteed. If your only reason for starting is external — money, recognition, or competition — it won’t sustain you through the rough patches. But when your “why” connects to something personal and meaningful, you’ll keep showing up.

2. Set a Vision — Then Break It Down

When I registered for Ironman Florida, the dream was exciting — I was going to do this with my son. But the thought of all the hours of training was overwhelming at times. I realized that to reach the starting line, I needed a good training plan — one that broke the 20 weeks of preparation into small, manageable pieces: weekly training goals, recovery days, and nutrition milestones. Each step built on the last.

Big goals become achievable when you break them into small, consistent steps.

Business works the same way. Launching a new venture or growing a team can feel overwhelming until you translate the big vision into practical next steps. Success rarely happens in one giant leap — it’s the result of small, deliberate actions that compound over time.

3. Follow the Plan — Even When It’s Boring

Training for an Ironman isn’t glamorous. It’s countless hours on the bike, long solo runs, and early morning swims when no one’s watching. With a solid plan, I didn’t have to think about what to do or how I felt that day.

For example, on Monday, October 13, I woke up just before 5 a.m. I didn’t need to decide what kind of workout I felt like doing. I looked at my training plan: Week 18, Day 2 — 3,500m interval swim. So I got in my car and drove to the pool.

In business, consistency beats intensity. Anyone can sprint for a few weeks; few can stay the course for years. Whether it’s refining your business model, nurturing client relationships, or improving your product — progress comes from disciplined, often unexciting, daily effort.

4. Surround Yourself with the Right Support

No one completes an Ironman alone. Behind every finisher is a network — a coach, training partners, family, friends, and volunteers who keep you going when your legs stop listening.

On race day, the swim went well, and the bike was manageable, but the run was hard. With 5 km to go, I just wanted to stop and lie down. Other athletes would say things like, “You’re doing great — you’ve got this!” or spectators would cheer, “You’re looking strong — keep going!”

But it was when I saw my son — who had finished his race a few hours earlier and came back out on his bike — that everything changed. He looked at me and said, “You’ve got this, Dad!” His words carried me through those last few kilometers.

In endurance and in leadership, you can go farther with the right people beside you.

Entrepreneurs and leaders need the same ecosystem. Mentors, advisors, and teammates provide perspective and accountability. Building a business is an endurance sport — surround yourself with people who challenge and support you in equal measure.

Do you have a coach or mentor?

5. Pace Yourself

It’s tempting to push too hard early in the race — or early in a business. I’ve learned that if you burn too much energy too soon, the marathon at the end feels impossible.

In entrepreneurship, pacing means balancing ambition with sustainability. Growing too fast can exhaust your team and strain your resources. Learn to listen to your body — and your business — and adjust your pace as you go.

6. Expect the Unexpected

During an Ironman, something can always go wrong — nutrition issues, cramps, weather, or mechanical problems. The only certainty is uncertainty.

Starting a business is no different. Markets shift, clients change their minds, funding dries up. Yes, success depends on a well-defined playbook that includes strategies, frameworks, best practices, and tools — but equally important is your ability to adapt.

Plans provide structure; adaptability ensures survival.

Flexibility and composure under stress are what carry you through.

7. Mindset Over Muscles

By hour twelve of the race, my body had little left to give. It was my mindset that kept me moving forward — one aid station, one mile at a time.

Entrepreneurship tests mental endurance more than physical stamina. You’ll face doubt, fatigue, and failure. The leaders who thrive aren’t always the smartest or most resourced — they’re the ones who keep believing, learning, and moving forward when things get tough.

8. Celebrate the Journey

Crossing the finish line was incredible — but it lasted 30 seconds. The real reward was in the journey: the months of training, the small breakthroughs, the camaraderie, and the resilience built along the way.

In business, it’s easy to chase the next milestone or metric and miss the joy in the process. Celebrate progress. Reflect often. The journey itself shapes you into the kind of person capable of crossing finish lines — in sport, in business, and in life.

Final Thought

Completing an Ironman isn’t about being the fastest. It’s about committing to something bigger than comfort — something that stretches you physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Starting and growing a business is remarkably similar. Both demand clarity of purpose, disciplined preparation, resilience in the face of setbacks, and an unwavering belief that the effort is worth it.

Your Ironman might not involve a triathlon. It could be launching a new business, leading a team through change, or taking on a personal challenge that feels beyond your reach. Whatever it is — set your goal, build your plan, stay consistent, and trust the process.

Because in the end, it’s not just about crossing the finish line. It’s about who you become on the way there.

Let’s Connect

I’d love to hear about your dream and vision.If there’s a way I can help or support you, please connect with me through this form. I look forward to hearing from you.

– Carl Drotsky

Leadership Coach | Program Manager | Ironman Finisher

www.softio.ca