
Corporate Competitor Podcast
What do most Fortune 500 executives have in common? They learned important lessons on the fields and courts of their high school and collegiate sports teams. This is true for both men and women. Ernst & Young found that a whopping 94% of women holding a C-suite position, played sports.
Join 11-time New York Times Best-Selling Author Don Yaeger on his journey to sit with some of the brightest executives in the world as we discuss how sports shaped their professional trajectory in life.
Latest episodes

May 28, 2025 • 45min
CEO of EF World Journeys USA Heidi Durflinger on How to Stop Treating Customers Like Transactions
Ep. 232: Training for her ultramarathon in Spain helped Heidi break big goals into small, achievable steps. Her approach offers a compelling blueprint for building trust, inspiring teams, and elevating the customer experience. Rooted in small-town Kansas values and shaped by global experience, you will learn in this conversation how to stop treating customers like transactions. 1. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. 2. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ 3. Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Alissa Pupich and Karson Hills for making this episode possible.

May 21, 2025 • 38min
The New Science of Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark - Featuring Gen. Bernard Banks
Ep. 231: How does a moment become momentum? You will learn the model to capture, accelerate, and reverse momentum as featured in my new book with Gen. Bernard Banks. From commanding in Desert Storm to teaching at West Point and Rice University to transforming organizations, Bernie’s perspective is battle-tested, data-backed, and built to help leaders at every level create their own momentum shift. 1. Order your copy of the book here! 2. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. 3. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ 4. Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness.

May 14, 2025 • 48min
Acrisure President John Tuttle encourages you to be a student of excellence
In this conversation, John Tuttle, President of Acrisure and former leader at the New York Stock Exchange, shares insights from his competitive journey. He emphasizes the power of trust and relationships in networking, advocating for a proactive approach to career advancement. Tuttle also discusses instilling a strong work ethic in teams and highlights the importance of resilience and learning from failures. With personal anecdotes, he connects sports teamwork to corporate leadership, underlining the value of accountability and meaningful partnerships.

May 7, 2025 • 40min
Kitson & Partners CEO Syd Kitson asks: Are you willing to drive in the storm?
Ep. 229: Playing for The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys shaped the creator of Babcock Ranch—America’s first solar-powered town. You will learn: Why Syd requires every team member to sign a Team Agreement—and what happens when they don’t. How a quarterly Day of Service strengthens company culture and community impact. Why great leadership means turning observations into innovations. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Karson Hills and Anthony Dickinson for making this episode possible.

Apr 30, 2025 • 31min
Technology Executive and Thoroughbred Owner Mark Kornegay encourages you to run your own race
Ep. 228: Get excited for the Kentucky Derby with Spectrum Vice President Mark Kornegay! “Horses are like people—they can burn themselves out trying to keep up with the fastest ones, instead of running their own race,” he shared on this episode. Mark’s career also includes leadership roles at Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, and he served as a Special Agent for the FBI and an Assistant U.S. Attorney. You will learn why preparation is everything and the best performers understand their strengths and craft a strategy that suits them. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Samantha Clark and Guillermo Orellana for making this episode possible.

Apr 23, 2025 • 56min
Former Cal Rugby Player Robert Paylor asks: What is paralyzing you?
Ep. 227: A devastating injury during the National Championship game left Robert paralyzed from the neck down. Told he’d never walk again, he began a new journey, one fueled by his three-word mantra: “Compared to what?” Robert shares how that question helped him shift from victimhood to victory—and how you can use the same mindset to lead through adversity. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why asking “Compared to what?” cuts big challenges down to size. How to reframe your pain into purpose and lead from a place of strength. What it means to truly forgive—and how it frees your energy to focus forward. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Alissa Pupich and Karson Hills for making this episode possible.

Apr 16, 2025 • 44min
Amway CEO Michael Nelson teaches you how to embrace change
Ep. 226: Running marathons shaped this CEO’s 35-year rise from “Amway Project Intern” to the corner office. From his first days at Amway to overseeing 14,000 employees in 100 countries, Michael reflects on his journey to teach you: How to avoid creating a culture where people are panicked to fail Why raising your hand opens the door to leadership growth—and what it really means to say yes to opportunity What running marathons taught him about clarity and leadership Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Joey Morris and Anthony Dickinson for making this episode possible.

Apr 9, 2025 • 33min
PART 2 - Legendary Turnaround CEO Alan Mulally Reveals How ‘Working Together’ Saved Ford
Ep. 225: Our conversation explores powerful leadership lessons in radical transparency—revealing why honest reporting, even when the news isn’t good, is essential for real progress. Learn how the Ford executives brought challenges to the table to solve them together. If you missed part 1, listen here: https://donyaeger.com/corporate-competitor-podcast/episode-224/ Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Dave Calder and Dillon McDonald for making this episode possible.

Apr 2, 2025 • 33min
PART 1 - Legendary Turnaround CEO Alan Mulally Reveals How ‘Working Together’ Saved Ford
Ep. 224: Former Boeing and Ford CEO went to Kansas on a gymnastics scholarship and later competed in a semi-pro tennis circuit. Learn how sports shaped one of Fortune’s "World’s Greatest Leaders." To listen to PART 2 of the conversation, visit: https://donyaeger.com/corporate-competitor-podcast/episode-224/ Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we’re making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Dave Calder and Dillon McDonald for making this episode possible.

9 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 35min
Coach K shares two questions you should ask to elevate team performance
Mike Krzyzewski, a legendary basketball coach and five-time national champion, shares invaluable leadership insights. He discusses the importance of fostering trust and a shared mission to enhance team performance. Coach K highlights the art of team communication, emphasizing the need for active listening and interpersonal connections. He also dives into the legacy of Jim Valvano and the impact of the V Foundation in cancer research. Prepare to be inspired by his wisdom on elevating team dynamics and creating a culture of respect and empowerment!