Run A Mile Before A Marathon - Crystal Hadnott - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - # 168

Crystal Hadnott was told she would need a cane for the rest of her life after a devastating accident left her partially paralyzed. Nine months later, she ran her first marathon.That decision sparked a journey that has now taken her through more than 150 marathons and ultramarathons, up Mount Kilimanjaro, and into a career helping organizations build sustainable growth through strategy, systems, and leadership.Crystal joins Greg to discuss how endurance training shaped her approach to fundraising and business, why every high performer needs "aid stations" for recovery and reflection, and the lessons she's learned from constantly challenging herself in sport and in life. She also shares how an accident led her into fundraising, why nonprofits need to think like businesses, and how maximizing your current strengths often matters more than chasing the next opportunity.Takeaways:Success is not built by pushing nonstop. Leaders need intentional aid stations for reflection, recovery, and recalibration if they want to perform over the long term.The goals you set at the beginning of the year should not be treated as permanent. Markets shift, industries change, and strong leaders reassess their plans often.Before pursuing the next shiny opportunity, make sure you've fully maximized the systems, strategies, and resources you already have.Funding is the fuel that keeps organizations moving. The challenge is identifying which revenue strategies truly support your mission and which ones create unnecessary strain.Building a strong core, both physically and professionally, creates longevity. The foundations you strengthen today support your performance years down the road.Difficult experiences can become your greatest teachers. Crystal's injury, recovery, and marathon journey all became data points that helped her better understand herself and her capabilities.Quote of the Show:"The addiction of accomplishing something that someone tells you you can't do became very real for me." - Crystal HadnottLinks:Crystal Hadnott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalhadnott/CH Philanthropy & Fundraising’s Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crystal-hadnott-philanthropy-fundraising/Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/580aLDKac1ld031W4nWDtp Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-endurance-officer/id1680214218?uo=4Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2NoaWVmLWVuZHVyYW5jZS1vZmZpY2Vy Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c96880f-8dcd-4a6e-b1c8-fda816f872a9 Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4340732 Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/5897357 Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3462719 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-5250102 Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-ringmaster-KMdv2I8XwkN/ Keep up to date on our social accounts:Check out our Website: http://enduranceofficer.com/ Community Discount Link: https://ceopodcast.myezrewards.com/signup/chief-endurance-officer-podcast  Join my Endurance Leadership Community: https://endurance-leadership-community.mn.co/share/_C3ZDRz7OX2vbCme?utm_source=manual Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/