# How a CEO Got Faster in His 40s The story of a CEO who improved his marathon performance with the right coach, mindset, and routine. - **Source:** [McKinsey Insights](https://www.mckinsey.com/insights) - **Published:** 2026-07-20 - **Topic:** [Career Growth](https://brifing.si/c/growth) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0c52cce7-ba36-43ff-9f4c-05dfb9c39b22 ## A Decade of Stagnation Nick Thompson ran marathons at the same pace for ten years. This plateau pushed him to seek new methods. The process also made him question his leadership skills as a CEO. ## The Impact of the Right Coach Everything changed when Nick started working with the right coach. The coach provided not just physical but also mental strategies. This approach helped Nick gain a new perspective in both running and business. ## Mindset Transformation Nick learned to surpass his limits by changing his mindset. His self-belief and discipline played a critical role in improving his performance. This transformation positively influenced his leadership style. ## The Power of Routines Nick optimized his daily routines to become more efficient. His training schedule, nutrition, and rest routine maximized his performance. This discipline also increased his productivity at work. ## Leadership Lessons His marathon success taught Nick important lessons about leadership. He reaffirmed the importance of teamwork, goal-setting, and perseverance. This experience created a positive impact in his company. ## Breaking Boundaries Nick's story shows that it's possible to break boundaries regardless of age or circumstances. With the right approaches, significant strides can be made in both personal and professional life. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-how-a-ceo-got-faster-in-his-40s — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._