Built By Endurance

Nicholas Delmonico
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Built By Endurance The mental toughness it takes to cross a finish line after hours of suffering doesn't stay at the race course. It follows you into the boardroom, the startup, the deal, the hard conversation. Built By Endurance sits down with high-performing athletes who are also building something meaningful in business. Each episode digs into the real connection between what endurance sports demand of you and how that shapes the way you lead, make decisions, and handle adversity at work. No highlight reels. No motivational fluff. Just honest conversations about what the grind actually teaches you and how it compounds over time.

  1. 1d ago

    From the Naval Academy and Kona to Coaching the Next Generation with Damon Dixon - #13

    Damon Dixon spent 29 years in the Navy. He came in as an undersized kid chasing a Division I football dream, walked on at the Naval Academy, and went on to break receiving records that still stand. Along the way he helped coordinate the evacuation of 14,000 Americans from Lebanon and finished the Ironman World Championship in Kona twice. In this conversation Damon talks about the mentor who told him the military was a laboratory of leadership, the moment both his quads locked up at mile five in Kona, and the years it took to find the purpose that now drives his leadership and coaching work. He gets into why he believes a leader's real job is developing people until they can replace you, and shares the story of coaching a BYU miler to a national title. Takeaways A leader's job is to develop their peoplePurpose is something you have to go findHow you respond on the bad days is what defines youGood coaching leads people to their own answers Chapters 00:00 The Journey to the Naval Academy06:30 Leadership Lessons from the Navy12:45 Overcoming Challenges in an Ironman21:26 Coaching and Leadership Perspective

    29 min

  2. 6d ago

    Ben Kepes on Staying the Course: Lessons from Leadville 100 and 35 Years of Entrepreneurship - #12

    Ben Kepes dropped out of high school, became an electrician, and ended up co-founding an outdoor apparel brand in New Zealand before "entrepreneur" was even a word people used. Thirty-five years later, he's made 50 to 60 angel investments across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, earned a big buckle at the Leadville 100, and is one of only five "originals" to have run all ten editions of New Zealand's Old Ghost Ultra. In this conversation, Ben covers why he never sits down at aid stations, how a forgotten 1840s gold rush map became an 85km trail that revived a struggling town, the blogging career that accidentally turned him into a tech insider, and the two investments that taught him to trust his read on founders over FOMO. He also gets honest about what's been lost as ultrarunning has gone mainstream, why he'd now pick a Silicon Valley deal over a hometown one, and his next challenge: learning how to slow down. Takeaways Great startups come down to the people. A strong team with a weak idea will pivot; a weak team with a great idea won't execute.Running is a problem-solving tool. Ben's hardest business decisions get worked out on the trail, not at the desk.Don't invest off FOMO. Both of Ben's worst deals came from outsourcing his judgment instead of building rapport with founders.Chase interesting, not money. Ben's career was built on following curiosity and letting the monetization come second.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ben Kepes06:21 Evolution of the Ultra Community13:10 The Old Ghost Trail Experience20:16 Investing in Startups27:23 Investing in Different Regions

    34 min

  3. Jun 8

    Pigeons, Ultras, and Private Equity: The Many Lives of Elton Dinga - #11

    Elton shares his remarkable journey from Albania to Dallas, highlighting his experiences in endurance racing, career in finance, and passion for pigeon racing. His philosophy of 'La Vita è Bella' reflects his pursuit of satisfaction and achievement in life, while his active participation in hobbies and endurance sports shapes his approach to perseverance and patience. Takeaways Diverse experiences shape a unique journeyPassion for endurance racing and pigeon racing.Active participation leads to satisfaction and achievement Chapters 00:00 The Journey from Albania to Dallas08:16 Career in Finance and Venture Capital19:12 Pigeon Racing Passion26:19 Life Lessons and Active Participation

    32 min

  4. Jun 3

    From a Career-Ending Rugby Injury to Ironman Worlds with JG Brasier - #10

    JG shares his journey from competitive rugby to endurance sports and off-road racing, as well as his career as a senior data scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He discusses the challenges and rewards of both pursuits and provides valuable insights into the application of AI in the biotech industry. Takeaways Endurance sports and off-road racingTransition from rugby to endurance sportsInjury and its impact on training and lifestyleCareer in data science and AI in biotech industry Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Endurance Sports06:08 Injury and Lifestyle Impact10:53 Career in Data Science and AI in Biotech

    30 min

  5. Jun 1

    From the Football Field to the Pain Cave: Spencer Lynn on Reinventing the Athlete Within - #9

    The conversation covers Spencer's background in endurance sports, his involvement in Mission 22 and the Ruck 100 event, the impact of endurance events on mental health, leadership lessons and career, the parallel between endurance sports and business, adapting and pivoting in endurance events, mental toughness and motivation, and the impact of fatherhood on perspective. Takeaways Endurance sports as a form of mental and physical challengeThe impact of endurance events on mental health and camaraderie Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Athletic Background05:42 Leadership Lessons from the Military14:30 Self-Motivation and Endurance20:18 Ultra Community vs. Ironman Community Social Media Links https://www.instagram.com/slynn46/ https://www.instagram.com/priceplow/ https://www.youtube.com/@PricePlow/podcasts https://www.youtube.com/@BevlabMedia/podcasts

    24 min

  6. May 27

    From Rock Bottom to 100 Miles: Jackie Clark's Story of Running and Recovery

    Jackie, an endurance athlete, shares her journey from half marathons to ultra marathons, the challenges of training, and the role of running in her recovery from alcohol addiction. She offers advice, discusses future goals, and shares motivational strategies for overcoming challenges during races. Takeaways Transition from half marathons to ultra marathonsRunning as a form of recovery Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background05:23 Night Training and Trail Running12:22 Future Goals and Challenges Social Media TikTok - @jackiefromtiktok Insta - @jackie_91018

    18 min

  7. May 25

    Schalk Grobbelaar: Ultra Running, Timber Tech, and the Reality of Entrepreneurship

    The conversation covers the journey of Schalk Grobbelaar, an endurance athlete and entrepreneur. He he discusses his involvement in ultra racing, training for endurance, balancing training with work, his transition to the timber tech and innovation space, the challenges and lessons learned in entrepreneurship, and his future plans for WoodTechie. Schalk shares insights into his training methods, the challenges of ultra racing, and the complexities of entrepreneurship in the timber industry. Takeaways Ultra Racing and EnduranceTimber Innovation with WoodTechie Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background12:38 Balancing Training and Work18:29 Involvement in the Timber Tech and Innovation Space27:29 Future Plans for WoodTechie Social Media: https://www.woodtechie.com/ https://www.growingtimberconnections.com/home/ https://www.up.ac.za/york-timbers

    30 min

  8. May 20

    From Bankruptcy to Ironmans: Earl M. Furfine on Endurance Racing, Building Startups, and Devil Road

    Earl M. Furfine shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, accidental entry into Ironman, the similarities between project management and endurance racing, and lessons in compassionate leadership. The conversation delves into the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships in business, the journey into the whiskey business, the significance of appreciating what you have and who you're with, and the impact of influential books like 'Ego Is the Enemy' and 'Start with Why' on personal and professional growth. Takeaways Endurance and resilienceLeadership and compassion is crucial for business success.Effective communication and responsiveness are key to maintaining relationships. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur11:20 Startup Lessons and Compassionate Leadership17:31 The Power of Relationships and Networking23:36 Venturing into the Whiskey Business30:14 Appreciating What You Have and Who You're With Social Media: www.devilroadwhiskey.com

    38 min
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About

Built By Endurance The mental toughness it takes to cross a finish line after hours of suffering doesn't stay at the race course. It follows you into the boardroom, the startup, the deal, the hard conversation. Built By Endurance sits down with high-performing athletes who are also building something meaningful in business. Each episode digs into the real connection between what endurance sports demand of you and how that shapes the way you lead, make decisions, and handle adversity at work. No highlight reels. No motivational fluff. Just honest conversations about what the grind actually teaches you and how it compounds over time.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicholas Delmonico
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nicholas Delmonico
  • Show Website
    Built By Endurance