RUN THE MILE YOU’RE IN: WILLIAM THOMAS ON LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE & CROSSING THE STARTING LINE

RUN THE MILE YOU’RE IN: WILLIAM THOMAS ON LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE & CROSSING THE STARTING LINE What if the hardest part of reaching a goal isn’t crossing the finish line—but convincing yourself to start? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes William Thomas, executive coach, leadership educator, retired U.S. Air Force officer, author, and marathon runner based in Singapore. William spent 21 years in the Air Force before moving into higher education, corporate leadership, coaching, and entrepreneurship. At 42, he ran his first marathon thinking it would be a one-time bucket-list accomplishment. Nearly 50 marathons later, running has taken him across 17 countries, all seven continents, the North Pole, and even the Mount Everest Marathon. In this episode, you will discover: • Why William started running at 42 • How accountability turned an idea into action • Why telling someone your goal can keep you committed • What his first marathon taught him about preparation • Why you should “run the mile you’re in” • How starting too fast can sabotage long-term success • Why resilience becomes critical when you hit the wall • What finishing last at the Everest Marathon taught him • How support from others helps us through difficult stretches • Why long-term goals create momentum • How William completed the Marathon Grand Slam • Why achieving one goal should lead to setting another • How marathon lessons apply to careers, leadership, business, and life • Why the starting line can be more intimidating than the finish line • How William’s experiences became his book Cross The Lines RUN THE MILE YOU’RE IN William Thomas learned one of his most useful life lessons through marathon running: Run the mile you’re in. If you are at mile four, worrying about mile 25 will not help you. You need to handle what is directly in front of you. The same applies to business, relationships, career transitions, and personal growth. Know where you ultimately want to go—but focus your energy on the next step. DON’T GO OUT TOO FAST William learned another lesson the hard way during the Berlin Marathon. He started too quickly. By 16 kilometers, his legs were already giving out. The experience taught him that excitement can cause us to burn energy too early. Whether you are starting a business, taking on a new leadership role, or chasing a personal goal, pace matters. You need enough left in the tank for the difficult miles ahead. LAST PLACE IS STILL A FINISHER The Mount Everest Marathon became the most physically difficult challenge William had ever attempted. He completed it in more than 14 hours, finishing the final portion in darkness. And he finished last. But that produced one of his most powerful lessons: The last-place finisher is still a finisher. William was not there to win. He was there to complete what he started. Success depends on knowing what your real goal is. CROSS THE STARTING LINE William believes people spend enormous energy thinking about the finish line. But often the most difficult line to cross is the first one. Getting off the couch. Starting the business. Applying for the job. Taking the class. Making the change. Once you begin, you can learn, adjust, and grow along the way. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN William Thomas’s seed is: Don’t hold yourself back. He did not begin running until he was 42. Today, marathon running is part of his identity. His reminder is that just because you cannot do something today does not mean you can never do it. There are already enough people and circumstances in life capable of holding you back. Don’t be one of them. CONNECT WITH WILLIAM THOMAS Connect with William Thomas, PhD on LinkedIn. Book: Cross The Lines — available on Amazon. #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #WilliamThomas #CrossTheLines #Leadership #Resilience #Marathon #ExecutiveCoaching #GoalSetting #Accountability #PersonalGrowth #Mindset To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547