
Beyond the Finish Line
In this show, Dave digs deep into former athletes psyches to learn about their evolution from the top of their sport to the top of their domains. The goal is extract actionable insights for listeners to apply in their own professions.
The common thread between these guests is that they all look at everything in life as an opportunity to go and win, and they all seem to do so with an incredible mindset. Tune in to hear how.
Latest episodes

Oct 17, 2024 • 53min
Episode 6: Ashton Eaton, Mechanical Engineer and Decathlon Olympic Champion
In this episode, we discuss how to define "competitive," and explore how to have a healthy relationship with success. Ashton shares his unique trick on "leveling up", how to leverage failure, and how he applies an athlete's mindset to all areas of life.
Key Takeaways:
Competitiveness isn't about winning - it's about facing challenges head on and striving for personal growth.
Success is best measured by your own progress, specifically - the rate of progress.
Embracing failure is how to move past it.
The athlete mindset isn't limited to sports - it’s a tool for navigating all aspects of life.
Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is key to achieving personal goals.
Ashton reflects on the valuable lessons learned from both athletics and engineering, offering insights that are practical for anyone aiming to grow and improve.

Oct 3, 2024 • 58min
Episode 5: Larsen Jensen, Founder at Harpoon Ventures
Tune in to hear from Olympic Medalist to Navy SEAL to Venture Capitalist Larsen Jensen!
In this episode, we sit down with Larsen, who has taken on some of the toughest challenges in life—from the Olympic pool 🏊♂️ to the Navy SEALs ⚓ and now venture capital 💼. His story is a testament to passion, grit, and overcoming adversity.
Topics covered:
🔥 How to embrace adversity and grow from it
🔥 Navigating major career transitions
🔥 The realities of entrepreneurship
🔥 The importance of leadership and teamwork
🔑 Key Takeaway: Success is found in the journey, not just the destination.
Listen in to learn about the American dream!

Sep 19, 2024 • 39min
Episode 4: Duke Rohlen, CEO at Ajax Health
Today's guest is serial MedTech entrepreneur Duke Rohlen, sharing his 4 Q's framework for goal-setting, mastering time, and translating leadership lessons from sports into business success.
🔍 Key Highlights:
🏆 From Sports to Business: Duke shares lessons on teamwork, communication, and resilience that helped him navigate his career transition.
🔄 The Four Qs Framework: A powerful tool for self-assessment and accountability in both personal and professional growth.
⚖️ Balancing Act: Insights on juggling family, health, and work while maintaining peak performance.
💡 Leadership & Humility: How humility and a willingness to learn fuel continuous growth.
💪 Resilience in Action: Turning setbacks into opportunities, whether on the field or in the boardroom.
🗣️ Must-Listen Sound Bites:
"I don't lose, I learn."
"Elite is not a static condition."
"You have to decide what's important to you."
Tune in now to get inspired by Duke's journey and actionable insights! 🎙️

Sep 5, 2024 • 54min
Episode 3: Ed Baker, CPO at Whoop
Ed Baker, Chief Product Officer at Whoop and former exec at Facebook and Uber, shares his journey from a Harvard track star to a Silicon Valley innovator. He reveals how endurance sports shape productivity and mental clarity. Ed discusses the secrets to building viral products, emphasizing the importance of quality engagement over mere sharing. Hear him draw parallels between competitive running and startups, with insights on goal setting and self-competition that can drive personal growth and business success.

Aug 22, 2024 • 55min
Episode 2: Ryan Murphy
Tune in to learn from Ryan Murphy, 5 time Olympic Champion (this episode was filmed before the Paris games where he won 1 gold), on how to win at the Olympics and beyond. Ryan has an incredible aptitude for creating opportunities for himself given his current circumstances, and an admirable focus.
🧠 Here are some of the key insights you won't want to miss:
1. Teamwork & Mentorship: The backbone of Ryan's success, both in the pool and beyond it.
2. Managing Pressure: Ryan shares his techniques for staying calm under pressure, whether it's at the Olympics or in the boardroom.
3. Goal-Setting & Visualization: Learn how Ryan's day-to-day habits and mental visualization fuel his success.
4. Time Management & Balance: Balancing swimming, investing, and life—Ryan makes it look easy!
5. Mental Health & Perspective: The importance of recovery and zooming out to see the bigger picture.

Aug 8, 2024 • 50min
Episode 1: Maya Dirado
🎙️ Join for an inspiring discussion with Maya Dirado, former Olympic swimmer and venture capitalist fundraiser, on redefining success and goal-setting after athletics! 🏊♀️💼
Key Takeaways:
✨ Success Redefined: Maya believes success is reaching your full potential for peace of mind.
🌟 Internal Fulfillment: Discover why inner fulfillment trumps external validation.
🎓 Balancing Act: Learn how Maya balanced elite swimming with academics at Stanford.
🏅 Transitioning: From Olympic gold to venture capital—navigating life's big transitions.
🧠 Mental Well-being: Prioritize mental health, work-life balance, and strong support systems.
#podcast #spotify #olympics #goldmedal #venturecapital #motivation #productivity #business #entrepreneurship

Jul 28, 2024 • 4min
Welcome to Beyond the Finish Line
Dave gives an overview of what the podcast is about. Totally okay to skip this one - not much substance. But... welcome!