In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer sits down with leadership and executive coach Darren Barrett to explore what leaders can learn from the world of elite sport.

Darren’s background in executive leadership and his current studies in sports psychology led him to a simple but powerful framework: train, perform, recover. In this conversation, Ilene and Darren explore how leaders can begin thinking of themselves as business athletes: people who need to prepare intentionally, show up when it matters most, and recover well enough to sustain performance over time.

They discuss the hidden cost of staying in constant “performance mode,” why recovery is often the missing piece for high-achieving leaders, and how stress and anxiety can quietly undermine judgment, creativity, and presence. This episode offers both mindset shifts and practical ways for leaders to perform at a high level without sacrificing their health, energy, or long-term effectiveness.

If you’re a leader, coach, or professional trying to do meaningful work without burning out, this conversation is for you.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Peak Performance Without Burnout: Darren Barrett on the Athlete Mindset for Leaders