Chief Endurance Officer Crafting Passion - Kris Swarthout - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode # 117
What can endurance athletes teach us about staying calm under pressure in leadership? In this episode of The Chief Endurance Officer, host Greg McDonough sits down with Kris Swarthout, a competitive athlete, coach, business owner, mentor, and retired police officer whose diverse career path offers powerful lessons in mindset, preparation, and adaptability. From high-stakes moments in law enforcement to training athletes for race day, Kris shares how endurance principles shape his leadership approach. He also dives into his entrepreneurial ventures, including Final K Sports Services and Minnesota Hockey Lockers, highlighting how combining passion and purpose can fuel sustainable success.
Key Takeaways for Leaders
- Visualize and prepare. Coaching athletes with scenario planning and visualization mirrors how effective leaders prep teams for the unexpected.
- Lead with purpose. Knowing your “why” creates focus and clarity, whether you're coaching athletes or guiding a business.
- Support your team by offloading burdens. Final K enables coaches to focus on their strengths by removing administrative friction. Leaders should do the same for their people.
- Explore passion projects. Kris’s custom hockey locker business started as therapy but became a creative, revenue-generating outlet. Leaders benefit from fulfilling side ventures.
- Don’t obsess over the data. Execution matters more than perfection. Leaders should focus on the big picture and not get derailed by minor deviations.
Quote of the Show:
- " Don't try to be everything to everybody." - Kris Swarthout
Links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-swarthout-5914035/
- Company website: https://finalk.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kris.swarthout/
Ways to Tune In:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/580aLDKac1ld031W4nWDtp
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-endurance-officer/id1680214218?uo=4
- Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2NoaWVmLWVuZHVyYW5jZS1vZmZpY2Vy
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- Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4340732
- Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/5897357
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- Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-ringmaster-KMdv2I8XwkN/
Keep up to date on our social accounts:
- Check out our Website: http://enduranceofficer.com/
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- Join my Endurance Leadership Community: https://endurance-leadership-community.mn.co/share/_C3ZDRz7OX2vbCme?utm_source=manual
Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/