Beyond the Waves - Ryan Stramrood - Chief Endurance Officer

Having an endurance mindset really impacted Ryan’s life in unexpected ways, beginning with his realization of possessing such a mindset when he started open water swimming, despite not being aware of it earlier. This allowed him to confront challenging situations which he believes others can benefit from.

Ryan discusses his mental strategies when dealing with extremely cold swims, which involves him breaking the swim into manageable parts and expecting and accepting pain as a part of the process. He also uses humor and positive talk to fend off negativity.

Including hydration and food consumption during swims forms a crucial part of Ryan's long-distance swimming endeavors. This reinforces the importance of taking care of one's physical health alongside mental wellbeing, particularly during challenging periods.

Ryan highlights how our mind often tries to keep us in a safe zone, which can limit our abilities to get outside our comfort zone and grow. Taking risks and pushing past the comfort zone led to growth in his life and business, offering insights for leaders and individuals aiming to expand their personal or professional boundaries.

The transition from being a salesperson to an inspirational speaker was challenging, especially given the onset of COVID-19, but Ryan persevered, which serves as a lesson for individuals and leaders navigating career transitions or profound changes in their sectors.

Visualization techniques have been found to be helpful in preparation for swims. Ryan goes through what he expects to feel before it happens and figures out how he will manage these situations. These techniques can be beneficial to leaders as well, preparing them for different scenarios and aiding in creating responses.

Beyond the Waves - Ryan Stramrood - Chief Endurance Officer - Episode # 032