
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

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.

7 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!

Mar 19, 2025 • 40min
Summize CEO Tom Dunlop asks: How are you controlling the uncontrollables?
Ep. 222: Europe’s top badminton player turned founder and CEO of the AI-powered platform revolutionizing contract management joins the show! You'll learn how to: - Use customer feedback wisely – Stay true to your vision without trying to please everyone. - Prioritize progress over perfection – Keep moving forward instead of getting stuck on minor setbacks. - Stay competitive – Track ideas, obstacles, and strategies to anticipate challenges before they happen. 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 Dave Calder for making this episode possible.

Mar 12, 2025 • 38min
Nucor Executive Tabitha Stine was taught, “Pick up your hammer and do your job.”
Ep. 221: As an executive at the largest steel producer in the U.S., Tabitha brings her softball and volleyball experience to the world of structural engineering. 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 Andrew Levin for making this episode possible.

Mar 5, 2025 • 37min
Empower Chief Investment Strategist Marta Norton shares practical tips to avoid burnout
Marta Norton, Chief Investment Strategist at Empower and a former high school soccer fanatic, shares her journey from sports to finance. She emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities despite fears of burnout and the power of specialization and mentorship in leadership. Drawing on her athletic background, she highlights the need for collective momentum in teams and the significance of empowering junior members. Marta also offers practical strategies to overcome burnout while maintaining passion and purpose in professional roles.

Feb 26, 2025 • 31min
REI COO Cameron Janes’ coach told him, “If you have to dig a ditch, you might as well whistle while you do it.’’
Ep. 219: Brown University’s rowing team shaped Cameron as he endured grueling six-day-a-week practices under the relentless watch of Coach Scott Roop. Exhausted and frustrated, he hit an all-time low. Then, during a brutal practice, as the crew rowed endlessly with no relief in sight, Roop’s words stuck with him for life: "If you have to dig a ditch, you might as well whistle while you're doing it." Learn how he applies that to his leadership today! 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 Lilly Mae Stewart and Samantha Clark for making this episode possible.

Feb 19, 2025 • 35min
CEO Coaching International Founder Mark Moses: Are you asking yourself the right questions?
Mark Moses, Founder and CEO of CEO Coaching International, is a U.S. Squash National Champion and 12-time IRONMAN. He discusses how participation in sports enhances leadership qualities and fosters teamwork among top executives. Mark emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to clarify goals and achieve results, alongside strategies for breaking down massive objectives into manageable steps. He shares personal stories of resilience, including a poignant marathon running experience that inspired his leadership philosophy.

Feb 12, 2025 • 32min
Restaurant Executive George Tinsley Sr. asks: What’s left on your customer’s plate?
Ep. 217: After playing for the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA, George transitioned from professional basketball to business, learning from another Colonel – Founder of KFC Harlan Sanders. Sanders’ attention to detail was unmatched. He didn’t just talk to customers—he observed them, analyzing what they left uneaten, what made them smile, and what didn’t meet their expectations. His commitment to understanding his customers was one of the key reasons KFC became a global powerhouse. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode will help leaders in any industry understand their customers! 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 Ana Anzolin, Bradi Stewart, and Lilly Mae Stewart for making this episode possible.

Feb 5, 2025 • 39min
GFI CEO Eric Olson asks: What if everything you've done prepared you for this moment?
Ep. 216: Instead of dwelling on the disappointment that his San Jose State Football career was cut short due to injury, this CEO chose to view his past experiences as preparation for his next chapter. He leaned into the discipline, teamwork, and mental toughness learned on the field to build one of the fastest-growing organizations in the financial services industry. 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 Ana Anzolin and Bradi Stewart for making this episode possible.
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