I used to think strength training was just for getting some bulk. Then I hit 40, and with small children, realized it's more important than I gave it credit.
My wake-up call came during a particularly brutal hill session. My calves cramped, I apparently hit a new HR max, and I felt like I'd aged a decade from one workout. That's when I swallowed my pride and started doing something I'd avoided for years: incorporating weights back into my routine.
Turns out, the research is clear—as we age, our bones naturally lose density. Without intervention, we're setting ourselves up for stress fractures, longer recovery times, and eventually having to hang up our running shoes earlier than we'd like.
But here's what surprised me: the discipline I developed from consistent strength work didn't just make me a more durable runner. It completely changed how I approach my profession.
Just like those boring single-leg calf raises and jump squats build the foundation that prevents injuries miles down the road, I started applying the same "unsexy but essential" mindset to leading my SE team. Instead of always chasing the flashy new demo techniques or the latest competitive intelligence, I began investing in the foundational work: regular 1:1s, consistent skill assessments, and systematic feedback loops.
The result? My team became more resilient. When we hit rough patches with difficult customers or challenging technical implementations, or monumental org shifts, they didn't break down. They had the underlying strength to push through.
Now I tell everyone, not only get out and run, but embrace a little weight training in there too. And I tell every leader: invest in the boring fundamentals that nobody sees.
What's the "unsexy but essential" work you've been avoiding in your own leadership?