Ease with Effort: Lessons from the Dirt

As someone who raced cross-country mountain bikes for years, I know firsthand that the key to riding fast, especially on tough terrain, isn’t just about fitness. It’s about staying relaxed, even when the trail gets rough. The more relaxed you are, the more control you have, and with more control comes speed, both uphill and downhill.

That’s why I was especially excited to see Christopher Blevins at the top of the men’s mountain biking World Cup standings, something we haven’t seen from an American male in this European-dominated sport in over 30 years.

His secret? As Blevins says, “Cross-country racing is a game of how much you can be at ease with effort.” Most elite riders understand this concept. The ones who can truly master it are the ones who rise to the top.
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This mindset applies to business development, as well.

BD, like mountain biking, can be a grind. It’s rarely a smooth path. More often, it’s a rocky, rutted trail where every pedal stroke tests your resolve. But just like on the bike, if you can stay relaxed when the terrain gets rough, you’ll maintain better control, and you’ll move faster overall.

Most professionals try to avoid the tough parts of BD: the discomfort of reaching out to new contacts, the vulnerability of asking tough questions, the awkwardness of following up when you don’t get a reply, the challenge of getting back up after a bad crash.

But if you can learn to be at ease with effort, to accept the sweat, the setbacks, and the occasional tumble, you’ll find your rhythm, just like on the bike.

Your challenge this week:

• Where can you embrace the grind in your BD efforts?
• Where are you holding back because the terrain feels too steep or the conditions aren’t perfect?

Just like in mountain biking, BD success isn’t about being the fastest sprinter or the strongest climber. It’s about showing up consistently, staying relaxed under pressure, and learning to love the effort.
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See you on the trail. 🚵‍♂️