The Black Belt in Leadership From Olympic Dreams to AI Leadership: Stefan Gogoll on Discipline, Identity, and Building Teams That Last
Stefan Gogoll is a German tech entrepreneur, visionary leader, and former professional athlete with over 25 years of experience driving software innovation and AI adoption. As the founder of andagon Holding and the creator of aqua cloud, his companies has played a role in modernizing QA, compliance, and test management strategies for global clients such as Google, IBM, and Deutsche Telekom.
In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host and leadership strategist Aslak de Silva talks with Stefan Gogoll, a former professional cyclist who transformed his career to become a leading tech entrepreneur. Stefan is the founder of andagon Holding and the creator of aqua cloud, a quality assurance and compliance platform used by global companies such as Google, IBM, and Deutsche Telekom.
But this conversation is not about code or corporate strategy. It is about identity, personal transformation, and the discipline it takes to start again.
Stefan shares his journey from national-level athlete to founder of seven companies. He opens up about what it felt like to walk away from the sport he dedicated his life to, how he found purpose in the business world, and why pushing too hard can sometimes backfire in leadership.
In this episode, you will learn:
- What Stefan learned from elite cycling that still guides him today
- Why letting go of overachieving helped him grow as a leader
- How to lead high-performing teams that stay for decades
- The difference between physical and emotional endurance
- How meditation, deep focus, and “thinking time” shape his day
- What it means to fight for something beyond winning
This is a powerful story about resilience, leadership, and evolving with purpose. If you are a founder, athlete, or leader in any field, Stefan’s insights will challenge and inspire you.
Tune in and discover what it really takes to unlock the black belt in leadership.
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