#41: Running the Distance in Life & Leadership: A Conversation with Nick Thompson
Thu Feb 05 2026
Chris Duffin sits down with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, elite masters distance runner, and author of "The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports." As they dive into Nick's multifaceted journey—from leading award-winning journalistic organizations to breaking running records after 40—you'll hear how the discipline and lessons from athletic pursuits translate directly into personal growth, leadership, and resilience.
Throughout their conversation, Chris Duffin and Nick Thompson (speaking on behalf of Nick) explore the intersections of family, career, and performance, drawing parallels between pushing physical limits and professional success. Nick shares candid stories about motivation, self-doubt, parenting, and the unique influence of his father—a journey marked by extraordinary accomplishments and deeply human challenges.
🙏 For more insights like this, grab Nick Thompson's new book "The Running Ground," and check out the full Architect of Resilience episode.
Nick Thompson: https://www.nickthompson.com
#Resilience #Leadership #Endurance #Podcast #LifeLessons
Here are 3 key takeaways worth sharing with you:
Push Past Perceived Limits: Nick shared how his breakthroughs in running (and in leadership) often came when he challenged long-held beliefs about his own limits. Growth lies beyond what we think we're capable of.
Resilience Requires Both Hard Work and Recovery: It's not enough to just "take care of yourself"—you have to get uncomfortable, stretch, sometimes fail, and then recover. That's where true resilience is built, whether in the boardroom or on the track.
Lead by Example, Not by Force: As a parent, Nick emphasized living your values instead of preaching them. Kids (and teams) are most inspired when they watch you do the work, not when you tell them how it's done.
00:00 "Resilience and Balance with Nicholas"
07:49 "Progress Through Persistence"
12:07 "Value of Expertise"
17:45 "Discovering and Pushing Your Limits"
20:36 "Running, Defeat, and Resilience"
25:46 Advancements in Health and Performance
27:23 "Benefits of Barefoot Footwear"
31:35 "Creatine Myths and Media Shifts"
32:59 "Trends in Endurance Training"
40:58 "Leading by Example for Kids"
42:21 "Solo Marathon's Unexpected Impact"
49:41 "Lessons from a Tough Team"
52:49 "Confidence Without Overreach"
Learn & Connect at https://chrisduffin.com/
• SHOP: Explore my books and products in the store.
• EDUCATE: Unlock access to my incredible Education Portal featuring hundreds of hours of courses and thousands of guided movement videos, all conveniently indexed for easy navigation.
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Chris Duffin sits down with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, elite masters distance runner, and author of "The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports." As they dive into Nick's multifaceted journey—from leading award-winning journalistic organizations to breaking running records after 40—you'll hear how the discipline and lessons from athletic pursuits translate directly into personal growth, leadership, and resilience. Throughout their conversation, Chris Duffin and Nick Thompson (speaking on behalf of Nick) explore the intersections of family, career, and performance, drawing parallels between pushing physical limits and professional success. Nick shares candid stories about motivation, self-doubt, parenting, and the unique influence of his father—a journey marked by extraordinary accomplishments and deeply human challenges. 🙏 For more insights like this, grab Nick Thompson's new book "The Running Ground," and check out the full Architect of Resilience episode. Nick Thompson: https://www.nickthompson.com #Resilience #Leadership #Endurance #Podcast #LifeLessons Here are 3 key takeaways worth sharing with you: Push Past Perceived Limits: Nick shared how his breakthroughs in running (and in leadership) often came when he challenged long-held beliefs about his own limits. Growth lies beyond what we think we're capable of. Resilience Requires Both Hard Work and Recovery: It's not enough to just "take care of yourself"—you have to get uncomfortable, stretch, sometimes fail, and then recover. That's where true resilience is built, whether in the boardroom or on the track. Lead by Example, Not by Force: As a parent, Nick emphasized living your values instead of preaching them. Kids (and teams) are most inspired when they watch you do the work, not when you tell them how it's done. 00:00 "Resilience and Balance with Nicholas" 07:49 "Progress Through Persistence" 12:07 "Value of Expertise" 17:45 "Discovering and Pushing Your Limits" 20:36 "Running, Defeat, and Resilience" 25:46 Advancements in Health and Performance 27:23 "Benefits of Barefoot Footwear" 31:35 "Creatine Myths and Media Shifts" 32:59 "Trends in Endurance Training" 40:58 "Leading by Example for Kids" 42:21 "Solo Marathon's Unexpected Impact" 49:41 "Lessons from a Tough Team" 52:49 "Confidence Without Overreach" Learn & Connect at https://chrisduffin.com/ • SHOP: Explore my books and products in the store. • EDUCATE: Unlock access to my incredible Education Portal featuring hundreds of hours of courses and thousands of guided movement videos, all conveniently indexed for easy navigation.