Strong Swim and a Shining Bike

Sometimes, ambition can feel like walking a tightrope: you either reach the other side with grace or fall short by inches. In the world of triathlon, second place can be exhilarating and heartbreaking all at once—especially when you’ve been in contention from the start. That’s the sentiment our athlete, Matthew Hauser, shared after a recent race. And if you’ve ever felt the sting of a narrow miss, you’ll relate to every word of his story.

Performing well from the start—whether in a business pitch or the swim leg of a triathlon—sets the tone for the entire day. Matthew excelled in the water, emerging near the front and quickly transitioning onto his new Specialized bike. Think of the right bike as a powerful investment: much like finding a mutual fund that matches your risk tolerance, the specialized equipment you choose can help you corner efficiently, hold speed, and save watts in a race. Throughout the bike leg, he maintained strong positioning, advancing through the field and showing that sound strategy—paired with a small dose of “compound interest” in the form of incremental training—can pay off big.

Mental Toughness: The Mantra That Matters

If you’ve read my previous reflections, you know I’m a firm believer that mental toughness can be just as pivotal as physical endurance. For Matthew, the mantra “Stay in the game, time the game” kept him dialed in during the run. It reminded me of Lionel Sanders, who I call “Mr. No Limits” for his relentless push through pain. Like monitoring a stock portfolio for performance, you keep mental track of when to surge, when to sit in, and when to play your best move. It’s not always glamorous or easy, but it’s a simple statement that steers you through the chaos of competition.

Bitter Loss, Bigger Lessons

Few things are as humbling as pouring your heart out and still not grabbing the win. That final kick saw Matthew battling for first place, only to settle for second. Yet, his disappointment doesn’t erase the achievement—staying near the front from start to finish reveals an athlete who’s prepared, focused, and fearless. Nobody likes a close loss, but as I often say, if you’re enjoying the process, keep going. Triumph comes in many forms, and sometimes it’s about having the courage to stay in the race (figuratively and literally) until the very last step.

Racing Toward Home-Soil Glory

Looking ahead, Matthew’s ambitions shine bright.