Have you ever found yourself zeroing in on others instead of listening to your own instinct, only to realize later that you lost precious time and energy in the process? It reminds me of investing in the stock market. When we spend too many hours tracking the competition’s every move—just like chasing every hot stock tip instead of trusting our research—we risk missing out on that crucial “compound interest” of personal growth. This is exactly what Lionel Sanders—famously known as Mr. No Limits—discovered in his triathlon journey. Despite his massive success at IRONMAN 70.3 St. George, he realized that obsessing over others was holding him back from reaching his true potential.

1. Self-Focus Over the Noise

In 2020, Lionel found himself hosting a large group of friends before a major race. It seemed like fun—until he realized it was draining his mental bandwidth. Racing at a high level involves razor-sharp mental preparation. Lionel learned that to stay calm, strong, and intentional before a big event, he had to quiet the outside noise. It’s a lot like Ironman triathlon training: you have to reduce the “stressors” in your life to truly tap into your greatest potential.

2. The Power of Self-Coaching

When you know yourself best, why not leverage that knowledge? That’s the question Lionel asked when he decided that self-coaching was the next logical step in his training approach. He believes a great athlete will excel with any coach—or even on their own—because real success stems from working relentlessly on the options you already have. Just as in business, where executing a good idea is more critical than waiting for the perfect idea, Lionel found that self-coaching in sports comes down to trusting your growth process, day in and day out.

3. Making Internal Goals a Priority

Rather than measuring success by who’s in the lead pack, Lionel sets internal targets—like fixing mistakes from past races. For instance, if warming up correctly was previously overlooked, he makes it a priority now. If he didn’t start with enough urgency, he refines his racing strategy to push harder right off the blocks. This inward focus allows him to fine-tune the elements that truly matter, such as swimming faster, cycling with more power, and running more efficiently.

4. Always Room to Improve

Though Lionel clinched victory at IRONMAN 70.3 St. George, he openly admits there’s plenty of ground to cover. In his mind, the day you believe you’ve reached your cap is the day you stop growing. He’s determined to ramp up his improvement in every discipline—whether that’s smoother technique in the water or greater intensity on the roads. It’s that hunger that keeps him motivated, much like an investor who continues to reinvest dividends to achieve exponential results.

5. Key Takeaways for Triathletes and Beyond

• Focus Inward: Tune out the external noise and invest energy in your own development.
• Mental Preparation: Reducing stress and zeroing in on your craft is as crucial as physical training.
• Self-Coaching Mindset: Trust your experience; learn from both failures and triumphs to guide your next move.
• Internal Goals Drive Growth: Identify past errors, set specific objectives to overcome them, and stay focused on your journey.
• Never Stop Improving: Even champions have room to grow. Keep pushing the boundaries of what you think is possible.

Just like a well-managed investment portfolio, focusing on improving athletic performance requires consistent, intentional effort over time. Lionel Sanders (Mr. No Limits) reminds us that winning is not just about raw talent, but about having the courage to look inward, set personal goals, and train with relentless passion. That’s how you build the exponential growth needed to succeed—both on the racecourse and in whatever life pursuits you take on.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “too busy” or “too distracted” to zero in on your racing strategies and tactics, ask yourself: are you adopting Lionel’s self-focus approach? Because sometimes, the biggest gains happen when you tune out the crowd and trust your own rhythm.