Is there an analogy between fitness and leadership when we consider how we refuel our bodies and our minds? 

This was a question I posed in a Coaches in Mind blog back in 2022. I’ve recently been reminded of it whilst undertaking a course in ‘Nutrition for Sport and Exercise Performance’. Having a nutrition plan in place to optimise performance is crucial. But equally important is the recovery refuel that needs to take place to ensure that the performance can be repeated and improved on. As leaders do we need a similar approach? 

Here is an updated version of the blog I wrote in 2022.

I wouldn’t call myself an athlete but during the past few years I’ve trained for a number of fitness events including, most recently, four Hyrox competitions. Having a focused training programme is vital but just as important is the rest and recovery between sessions. It is when we rest that the training does it’s magic. 

Pounding the pavements, doing intense interval training, lifting heavy weights causes micro tears in the muscles. Resting and good nutrition allows the body to repair these tears, making them stronger over time. It is exercise that stimulates physiological change but it is the rest and recovery that capitalises on the hard work.

It can be tempting when progress is slow to increase the volume of training. But doing too much can result in overtraining which will have the reverse effect. Performance will decline.

But is there an analogy between fitness and leadership when it comes to rest and recovery? Can we compare overtraining with burnout? What rest and recovery needs to be put in place to stop leaders becoming overwhelmed with the demands of their role?

In the same way that an athlete will create a bespoke recovery plan that is informed by multiple considerations how a leader refuels is going to be very personal to them. But here are two of my top suggestions: exercise and coaching. You won’t be surprised by this. I’m a personal trainer and a professional coach. Both, I believe, can play a crucial role in you having the resilience, the courage, the inspiration to be a dynamic leader.

Exercise improves mental focus and self esteem, the ability to cope with stress and increase energy levels. It fills your tank. In Change Your Habits, Change Your Life, author Tom Corley found that 76% of business leaders and self made millionaires made time for exercise every day. This compares to less than 10% of the general population. 

As well as being more likely to exercise, CEOs also are more likely to use a coach. The Hay Group found that 25 to 40% of CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies use a coach. There was a time when it was only very senior leaders that had access to coaching. Fortunately, times have changed. Coaching should be for everyone. From students to CEOs. How many students would need to change their university course if they had the opportunity to explore their career ambitions with a coach?

And whilst coaching will give you the space to identify goals, challenge assumptions, maximise performance it also allows the coachee to reflect,‘absorb and integrate their experience, which leads to them feeling more relaxed, confident, and content in their work’.* 

Whether you are an athlete, a recreational runner, training for Hyrox or an inspirational leader, making time to refuel is an essential component for success.

*Smith, J. Nurturing Maternity Staff (2021) p.49