What IRONMAN Races Taught Me

A highlight from S2 E18 with Scott Kartvedt

When I used to race Ironmans, my goal was NOT to be the fastest (I know that sounds counterintuitive, I mean it is a race…but stick with me here!)

My focus was on one thing and one thing only: I wasn’t going to quit.

One more pedal stroke, one more swim stroke, and one more step…or crawl, if it really came down to it…

That mindset has honestly shaped the way I lead more than almost anything else.

Why?? Well, because most leadership challenges aren’t won through perfection or talent alone…they’re won by the people willing to stay in the fight longer than everyone else when things get uncomfortable.

Curious how others think about this…

What matters more in leadership and life: Raw talent or the ability to keep going when things get hard? Let me know in the comments what you think!!

#Leadership #Resilience #MentalToughness #Endurance

Watch the full interview on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

What can fighter pilots teach us about leadership, trust, accountability, and high-performance teams?

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with former Blue Angels pilot, Navy fighter pilot, combat commander, and Top Gun: Maverick stunt pilot Scott “Intake” Kartvedt for a conversation about elite performance under pressure and the leadership lessons that apply far beyond aviation.

Scott shares stories from combat deployments, the Blue Angels, Hollywood film sets, and military leadership to break down how high-performing teams operate when mistakes carry real consequences. Together, Angela and Scott explore the importance of preparation, honest feedback, psychological safety, resilience, communication, and building cultures rooted in trust and accountability.

The conversation also dives into leadership development, decision-making under stress, learning from failure, surrounding yourself with the right people, and why many organizations struggle to create environments where people feel safe admitting mistakes.

From leading combat squadrons to working alongside Tom Cruise on Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible, Scott reveals what elite teams understand about performance, discipline, and teamwork that every leader can apply.

Learn More About Scott Kartvedt:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottkartvedt/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartvedt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottKartvedt/
• Website: https://scottkartvedt.com/
• Scott’s book, Full Throttle: From the Blue Angels to Hollywood Stunt Pilot: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Throttle-Angels-Hollywood-Stunt/dp/B0C9S7HD3V

Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Top Gun: Maverick: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13907124/
• Blue Angels: https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/
• Lake Placid Ironman: https://www.ironman.com/races/im-lake-placid

Similar Episodes

• Brandon Williams (fighter pilot & business leader): https://youtu.be/okCk8B_UEUE
• Andrew Dingee (fighter pilot and BP executive): https://youtu.be/7eR-ui05Or0

The discussion also tackles questions…

• What separates people who succeed in elite environments from those who quit?
• How do fighter pilots stay calm under extreme pressure?
• What can businesses learn from Blue Angels debrief culture?
• Why do high-performing teams struggle with accountability?
• How do great leaders create trust inside organizations?
• What does “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” actually mean?
• How can leaders give and receive feedback more effectively?
• What leadership lessons apply from combat aviation to corporate teams?
• How do elite performers train for high-stakes decision-making?
• What can organizations learn from military leadership and culture?
• How do you build resilient teams that perform under pressure?
• Why is admitting mistakes critical to leadership success?
• What challenges do veterans face transitioning into civilian life?
• How do you know when to say yes to opportunities?
• What does Top Gun get right about fighter pilot culture?

Themes:

• Leadership under pressure
• Elite performance culture
• Accountability and ownership
• Team trust and communication
• High-performance teams
• Psychological safety
• Feedback and debrief culture
• Resilience and perseverance
• Decision-making under stress
• Fighter pilot mindset
• Blue Angels leadership lessons
• Military leadership
• Risk management and safety
• Purpose and identity
• Veteran transition to civilian life
• Mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right people
• Growth mindset and continuous improvement
• Strategic communication
• Training and preparation
• Leadership development