Navigating from high level sport to business. In this episode Judith Germain speaks to Kasia Siwosz about the overlap between high-level sports and business.
You can listen to Episode 444 on any of the popular podcast platforms or apps (including Spotify, and Audible). If you prefer to listen to your browser you can do that below. Enjoy!
Key Takeaways
- Kasia’s journey from professional tennis player to entrepreneur and coach, highlighting transferable skills
- The importance of grit, hard work, and pushing one’s comfort zone for high performance
- Building a supportive team/environment is crucial for sustained success at the highest levels
Topics
Introduction and Background
- Kasia grew up in post-communist Poland, where sports provided opportunities to travel
- Quickly excelled in tennis, competing internationally and reaching top 400-700 in rankings
- Transitioned to college tennis in the US on scholarship, then investment banking and entrepreneurship
Overlap Between Sports and Business
- Mindset is key – being open to feedback on weaknesses as areas for improvement, not taking it personally
- Grit and hard work are essential, but need to be balanced with strategy and self-awareness
- Athletes learn to constantly push their comfort zones in training to expand their limits
Importance of Support System
- At the highest levels, the journey can feel lonely – having a strong support network is vital
- In sports and business, top performers set the standards and create an uplifting environment
- Seeing elite performers motivates others to strive higher, even if not reaching the pinnacle
Finding Joy in the Process
- While training/work itself may not always be enjoyable, celebrating small wins keeps one motivated
- Balancing the grind with an appreciation for successful outcomes prevents burnout
In this conversation Kasia describes how she eventually had to stop playing professional tennis due to the high costs, and instead pursued an education in the US on a scholarship. She then tried to break into investment banking, first in the US and then in London, where she met her husband. Kasia also started a restaurant business for a few years before moving into venture capital.
Kasia work exclusively with hustlers. People who are already in the top 1% or are on their way there. My clients are like elite athletes in their respective fields who hate to lose and refuse to accept mediocrity. Nothing about them is ordinary.
Kasia Siwosz can be found on LinkedIn here. Her website can be found here.
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