Last Place to First: Run Your Race and Win

A horse named Great Tempo was completely off the screen with less than half a mile left in the 2026 Kentucky Derby and still won the race — and that moment broke something open for me about what it means to stay in your race when everything looks hopeless. In this episode, I break down three powerful lessons from that comeback that apply directly to your business, your goals, and your life. If you're still breathing, you're still in the race, and that means you still have a shot. Key Takeaways Being last does not mean you are out — the only position that matters is where you are at the finish line, not the halfway point. Human odds and outside opinions are not facts — somebody has to win, and that somebody can always be you. While everyone else fights for position and burns energy bumping into each other, running your own race without the noise can be your biggest advantage. Being in the back early is not a weakness — it can mean you arrive fresh, conserved, and ready when it counts most. Sometimes winning requires swinging wide, going the extra distance, and being comfortable being alone on the outside while everyone else crowds the middle. Action Steps Write down the one goal or race you have been quietly giving up on because you feel too far behind, then ask yourself honestly: am I still in the race? If yes, recommit today. Identify where you have been burning energy trying to keep up with others or chasing validation instead of running your own strategy, and cut one of those distractions this week. Get comfortable with the outside lane. Pick one area of your life where you are willing to go farther than everyone else, even if it looks unconventional on paper, and commit to that path. Notable Quote It doesn't matter what place I'm in at the one mile mark — it matters what place I'm in at the one point two five mile mark.