How Jeff Weiss Turned Late Starts, Setbacks, and Discipline Into Lifelong Momentum

Jeff Weiss didn’t start running until his late forties. Within a decade, he was crossing Ironman finish lines and writing a memoir on endurance titled Racing Against Time. His example illustrates a truth too often forgotten in leadership: growth doesn’t end with age; it begins with intention.

Rediscovering Drive at 48

Jeff’s career and family filled most of his younger years. Fitness wasn’t a focus until one morning he realized the lack of energy he felt wasn’t permanent it was chosen. So he ran his first 10K. That single race became a turning point. Soon came marathons, triathlons, and eventually Ironman competitions.

By 59, he had pushed himself far beyond where he ever imagined. What changed wasn’t his body; it was his mindset. His story is proof that the most valuable wins come when you restart, no matter your age.

The Growth Mindset in Motion

Jeff embodies the concept of the growth mindset. He once believed he wasn’t a runner, then proved himself wrong. “I don’t think we know what we can do until we actually try,” he explained.

Growth in leadership works the same way. Many professionals label themselves:I’m not strategic, orI’m not technical enough.But leadership expands when curiosity replaces limitation. Every attempt, success or failure, widens capability.

By reframing identity as a developing skill rather than a static trait, leaders open doors to new potential.

Consistency Builds Capacity

Jeff’s peak results came not from doing more but from doing better. “Three workouts a week are better than two. Two are better than one. One is better than none.” This incremental mindset separates burnout from mastery.

In leadership, steady progress creates reliability. Teams thrive under consistent direction. Like endurance training, management growth depends on discipline, not drama. Momentum builds quietly with repetition.

Turning Failure Into Fuel

Jeff’s defining lesson came through defeat. Twice, he failed to finish the Comrades Ultramarathon. Instead of quitting, he reassessed his training, joined a coach, and kept moving. Those failures eventually led him to complete even longer races.

In business, failure can break momentum or build wisdom. Resilient leaders treat setbacks as feedback. They extract insights, adjust methods, and adapt. Success is rarely linear it is cumulative effort measured by persistence.

Fitness, Leadership, and Longevity

Endurance is the art of staying in motion. For Jeff, the routine of training shaped patience and clarity. Fitness became his tool for mental strength. Controlling one area of discomfort helped him manage others with confidence.

For leaders, that connection is essential. Physical health supports emotional stability. Routine reinforces focus. Empowered habits compound into sustainable influence.

Lessons for Every Leader

Jeff’s experience captures leadership fundamentals:

• Begin anywhere, but begin.Waiting for perfect timing kills progress.

• Consistency over intensity. Reliability outlasts inspiration.

• Failure is forward motion. Every setback refines ability.

• Preserve energy. Discipline sustains effort longer than adrenaline.

Closing Reflection

Jeff’s story quiets the myth that success is a young person’s pursuit. Endurance isn’t age-dependent it’s mindset-dependent. His journey proves that anyone can restart momentum with intention, humility, and consistency.

For leaders, his message is unmistakable: movement builds meaning. Whether refining a company or your health, progress begins the same way with the decision to take the next step.