Pressure is something I’ve learned to live with—and even appreciate. Whether it’s standing at the starting line of a marathon, preparing for a long-distance swim, or watching the markets move during a volatile trading day, that familiar tension always appears. It’s the same mix of excitement, focus, and fear that tests your limits and defines who you are when it matters most. Over time, I’ve realized that what I’ve learned from endurance sports applies directly to business, trading, and life itself. Performing under pressure isn’t about avoiding stress—it’s about learning to master it.
The Power of Preparation
In sports, preparation is everything. No one wakes up one morning and decides to run a marathon successfully. It takes months of training, early mornings, strict nutrition, and countless hours of practice. I’ve spent years pushing my body to its limits through running, cycling, and swimming, and I’ve learned that consistent preparation is what gives you confidence when the pressure hits.
Trading and business work the same way. The pressure doesn’t come from the markets—it comes from being unprepared. When you’ve done your research, studied your strategies, and know your goals, you can stay calm even when prices swing or opportunities seem uncertain. Preparation turns fear into focus. It allows you to act with clarity, not emotion.
I’ve always believed that success under pressure starts long before the moment of truth. It’s built quietly, in the hours no one sees, when you’re studying, training, or fine-tuning your craft.
Controlling the Mind When It Wants to Run
During an endurance event, there’s a moment when your body starts to rebel. Your legs ache, your lungs burn, and your mind begins whispering that it’s easier to quit. That’s when the real race begins—not against the clock, but against yourself.
The same thing happens in trading or entrepreneurship. When the market dips, when a deal falls through, or when something you’ve built faces setbacks, the instinct is to pull back and give in to fear. But growth only happens when you push through that discomfort.
I’ve trained my mind to handle pressure by embracing discomfort rather than running from it. Every time I cross a finish line after hours of pain and doubt, I’m reminded that strength isn’t about never feeling fear—it’s about acting despite it. The same principle helps me stay composed when facing financial risks or complex decisions.
Focus Is a Skill, Not a Gift
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from both sports and trading is that focus is not something you’re born with—it’s something you build. The human mind loves distractions, especially under stress. In the middle of a race, it’s easy to think about how much distance is left. On the trading floor, it’s tempting to think about what might go wrong. But focus means narrowing your attention to the present moment—to the next stride, the next decision, the next move.
When I trade or invest, I remind myself of what I learned on the track: control what you can, and let go of what you can’t. I can’t control the markets any more than I can control the weather during a race, but I can control my reactions. That’s what separates successful performance from chaos—the ability to stay steady while everything else moves around you.
Turning Pressure Into Performance
I’ve come to see pressure as a privilege. It means you’re doing something that matters. The butterflies in your stomach before a race or a big financial decision aren’t a sign of weakness—they’re a sign that you care.
In both trading and athletics, pressure sharpens you. It pushes you to think faster, react smarter, and dig deeper. But that only works if you’ve built the foundation. Without preparation and balance, pressure can overwhelm you. With the right mindset, it becomes fuel.
There’s a saying in sports: “You don’t rise to the occasion—you fall to the level of your training.” I’ve seen that proven true countless times. When markets swing wildly, I don’t rely on instinct alone—I rely on the systems, discipline, and emotional control I’ve built over years of experience.
The Role of Balance and Recovery
Performing under pressure doesn’t mean living under pressure all the time. Just like an athlete needs recovery days, a trader or entrepreneur needs balance. For me, that balance comes from art, wine, backgammon, and time spent with family and friends. Those moments recharge me and keep me from burning out.
I also find recovery in creative outlets like resin and Huichol art. When I work on a piece, I’m reminded of patience and precision—the same qualities that help me handle high-stress environments. Art quiets the noise and brings perspective, reminding me that not every part of life needs to be a competition.
Lessons From the Journey
If there’s one thing endurance sports have taught me, it’s that pain is temporary, but pride lasts. The same goes for moments of financial stress or professional challenges. Pressure will always be part of the journey, but it’s how you respond to it that defines your success.
Every race, every trade, every project has taught me something about resilience. The key is to approach challenges with the same mindset: respect the process, trust your preparation, and stay calm when others panic. That’s where growth happens—right on the edge between comfort and chaos.
From the track to the trading floor, pressure is a constant companion. It doesn’t go away, and truthfully, I wouldn’t want it to. It’s what keeps life exciting and meaningful. It’s what reminds me that every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger, sharper, and more self-aware.
What I’ve learned is simple: pressure doesn’t break you—it reveals you. And when you face it with discipline, focus, and a balanced mind, it becomes the very thing that pushes you toward your best self.
So whether I’m running a marathon or analyzing the markets, my approach is the same: breathe, trust the work I’ve done, and keep moving forward. Because at the end of the day, performance under pressure isn’t about avoiding the storm—it’s about learning to move confidently through it.