let's go there 77: from pro soccer to startup ceo: tony capasso: why letting go creates stronger leaders
more about tony:
tony capasso is an all-american athlete turned venture partner, fellow podcast host, and now ceo of an ai company in stealth mode. tony's journey spans from leading growth at global firms like andela and auctane to investing the future at a tx venture partners to building companies of his own. what makes tony remarkable isn't just the titles, but his heart, curiosity and resilience, he carries from the soccer field to the boardroom. he's a leader who believes in possibility, people, and pushing boundaries.
tony on linkedin: click here!
tony’s position podcast on instagram: click here!
let’s go there instagram - click here!
let’s go there youtube - click here!
timestamps:
00:00 – welcome and introduction
03:18 – who is tony now? stealth ai for revenue & founding story
04:58 – “i never wanted to be a ceo”…until I did: making the leap
09:49 – why this is the most fun year: flow state, autonomy, no board meetings
12:30 – managing investors with a builder’s mindset
13:16 – career design: keep one constant, force growth on purpose
15:15 – putting “tension in the system” & beating parkinson’s law
17:46 – challenging limiting beliefs; “why does everything take a week?”
19:02 – the power of noticing: recognition and coaching
22:26 – generous intent in sales
25:27 – kind vs. nice; telling the truth, spending leadership equity
27:52 – when you hit a plateau: owning misses & moving on
30:12 – athlete → sales: time & space and ripple effects
34:07 – coaching women: same emotions, different expression; development > scoreboard
44:45 – culture of recognition vs. “visibility”
49:18 – health as a leader’s duty: pit crew, “i don’t miss,” 250 workouts/yr
54:14 – quad rupture: dark night, control vs. surrender, comeback mindset
1:02:16 – wu-wei in business: stop squeezing quarters; let deals happen
1:04:27 – fatherhood: believing in your kids, empowering contribution
1:09:55 – advice to grads: go for it