There’s something about running that brings clarity. It’s just you, your breath, the pavement, and your thoughts. No boardroom distractions. No email pings. No noise.

I’ve been running almost every day for years now. I’ve completed two half marathons and logged thousands of miles, whether on Toronto streets, hotel treadmills, or trails during weekend escapes. It’s become more than a hobby — it’s a leadership tool.

You might not immediately connect pounding the pavement with building a business. But I firmly believe that running — and endurance sports in general — is one of the best forms of training for any CEO or entrepreneur. Here’s why.

Mental Resilience Starts on the Road

In business, you’re constantly thrown into uncomfortable situations: declining markets, tough negotiations, hiring dilemmas, and pressure to perform. You can’t always control outcomes — but you can control how you respond.

Running teaches you that.

When you’re at kilometer sixteen of a half marathon, your legs may get tired, but your mental toughness reminds you why you are doing it. You keep going. You learn to run with discomfort. You learn that pain is part of growth.

That mindset transfers directly into how I lead. When a deal falls through or we hit a major obstacle at CTS, I don’t spiral. I breathe. I analyze. And I push through. Because I’ve trained myself to be mentally tough — one step at a time.

Discipline Over Motivation

People always ask how I stay “motivated” to run. Truth is, I’m not always motivated. Some mornings, I don’t want to lace up my shoes. But I do it anyway. That’s called discipline.

Running teaches you that discipline is more powerful than motivation. And as a CEO, that’s a lesson worth holding onto.

Motivation is great when you’re pitching a new idea or launching a fresh initiative. But what about the mundane work? The late-night spreadsheets, the difficult one-on-one meetings, the endless revisions to a product roadmap?

That’s when discipline kicks in. You do the work because it’s what needs to be done — just like you run when it’s cold, or raining, or when your muscles ache.

Running Clears the Mental Clutter

Some of my best ideas come when I’m running.

When you’re in motion, your brain processes things differently. Problems that seemed tangled the day before suddenly unraveled. You find simplicity. Patterns emerge. You gain perspective.

I’ve come back from runs with solutions to tough business challenges, clarity on hiring decisions, or new angles on strategic partnerships. And it’s not magic — it’s just movement. Running gives your mind space to think without interruption.

In a role where you’re constantly bombarded with decisions and distractions, having a regular space to mentally declutter is invaluable.

Progress Is Slow — And That’s the Point

One of the most humbling things about running is how slow progress can feel.

You don’t go from zero to 21 kilometers overnight. You build. You run a little farther each week. You get injured, recover, recalibrate. You learn patience.

That’s the exact same process you go through when building a business. At CTS, our growth from $850,000 to over $17 million didn’t happen with one big break. It happened brick by brick — careful execution, consistent action, and relentless improvement.

Running reminds me that progress isn’t linear, and success isn’t instant. It’s earned. Slowly.

Health Is a Leadership Asset

Let’s talk about energy. As a CEO, your energy is your most valuable currency. If I’m not feeling sharp, my decisions suffer. My presence drops. My ability to lead takes a hit.

Running keeps me mentally sharp and physically energized. It’s not about looking a certain way — it’s about feeling good. When I run regularly, I sleep better. I handle stress better. I have more stamina to be present for my team, my family, and myself.

Health isn’t a vanity metric — it’s a leadership multiplier.

Leading by Example

I’m a big believer in leading from the front. That doesn’t just apply to sales targets or strategic execution — it applies to how I take care of myself too.

When people see their CEO prioritizing health and discipline, it sets a tone. It shows that high performance isn’t just something we demand at work — it’s something we live.

You don’t have to run marathons to be a good leader. But you do have to model consistency, self-care, and accountability. Running just happens to be my way of embodying those values.

Last Lap: Start With One Step

You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from running. You don’t even need to be fast. Start with one block. One lap. One habit.

What you’ll discover is that running isn’t just about fitness — it’s about training your mind, building discipline, and finding the clarity to lead better.

For me, running isn’t just part of my morning routine. It’s part of how I’ve built businesses, made tough calls, and stayed grounded when things got messy.

So if you’re a founder, an executive, or someone grinding through the chaos of building something from scratch — lace up your shoes. Hit the pavement. You might be surprised at what you find out there..