Are Startup Founders the New Professional Athletes?

Last year, I reconnected with my former Managing Director at Jumia Tunde Kehinde during a CEO workshop. Despite working together for two years, it turned out there was still more to gain from our interactions.

It was this conversation that inspired my deep dive into this topic.

From Lagos to London to Stockholm, I’ve had conversations with founders from across the globe, and the sentiment is unanimous—startup founders operate at a high intensity, similar to an athlete. While I'm not suggesting I could compete on a soccer field for 90 minutes with 21 players, the parallels between the daily lives of startup founders and athletes are worth exploring.

Physiological Parallels

Building a company from scratch is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes a ton of dedication, just like athletes on the field. Sure, we might not be chasing footballs or scoring traditional "goals," but we're definitely pursuing something significant.

The landscape we navigate is super competitive, and we're burning the midnight oil for meetings, juggling multiple projects, and more. Our objectives might be different—like market share and brand visibility instead of soccer goals—but the intensity of our efforts is clear.

I recently joined a gym because I realized that my physical well-being was suffering due to the demands of my job. It's easy to neglect your physical health when you're focused on building a company, but I've come to understand that taking care of my body is essential to maintaining the energy and resilience I need. Just like athletes, founders require a high level of physical fitness to perform at their best.

The Mental Game

Running a startup can be a real rollercoaster, with ups and downs that can take a toll on your mental health. In fact, a Pitchbook article revealed that 72% of founders reported that launching their own business had a negative impact on their mental health. But here's the thing - only 10% of founders feel comfortable talking about their stress with investors, fearing that showing signs of vulnerability could endanger their chances of securing funding. This is a side of the journey that's not often talked about, but it's a big one.

The silence around mental health struggles among founders highlights just how intense the pressure can be. Starting a new business can feel like a lonely journey, and it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to take care of yourself. But neglecting your mental and emotional well-being can lead to some serious consequences. That's why it's so important to find a balance between work and taking care of yourself.

The Media Playbook

Another similarity is that we both handle our social media pages ourselves with no help, obviously wink.

Just like athletes, we’re seeing an increasing trend where social media and PR is advised and becoming a core part in both professions. We're advised to posture and make content, which isn't my core strength.

In a way, we've become mini-celebrities and role models ourselves. While our primary focus remains in our fields, we've had to embrace public speaking, writing (exhibit A being this article), and striking picture-perfect poses for the camera. It's all part of the job now.

Startup founders must now navigate not only numbers and strategies but also their public personas, sharing stories and values to the public eye. This added layer of scrutiny and press can be overwhelming—especially when you're introverted—however it's essential.

What Founders Can Learn From our On-Field Colleagues?

Although there are differences between the experiences of athletes and founders, founders can still learn valuable lessons from athletes' reliance on a strong support network, which significantly contributes to their success.

• Emphasize Teamwork: Just as teamwork is vital in sports, founders must recognize the importance of collaboration. Wearing multiple "hats" in business is common, but understanding the value of teamwork is paramount to success. Acknowledging that we can't do it alone is crucial, as assuming too many roles can harm both physical and mental health.
• Prioritize Physical and Mental Well-being: Athletes demonstrate the importance of caring for both body and mind. Just as athletes have dedicated professionals for physical and mental fitness, founders should prioritize their health. Seeking professional guidance, whether for physical fitness or mental health, is essential for sustaining success in entrepreneurship.
• Self-Care and Recovery is Non-negotiable: Athletes understand the significance of rest and recovery, crucial for maintaining peak performance. Similarly, founders must prioritize self-care and recovery to avoid burnout and sustain long-term success.

Taking a page from athletes' playbook, founders can pick up some valuable tips that can help them create a sustainable hustle for long-term success. Remember, you can't win that championship if you're always running on empty.