In this episode of Alignment First, I sit down with Madeline Davis Tully — former Princeton rowing athlete and rowing coach at Stanford, Ohio State, and Boston University, national champion, and founder of MDT Leadership. We unpack what it truly means to transition from competing for championships to creating champions, the parallels between elite sport and executive leadership, and how identity, values, and discipline shape high-performance lives.

Key Takeaways

1) The transition from athlete to coach demands humility, identity work, and a shift from “me” to “we.”

2) Elite coaching hinges on understanding team chemistry, not just talent, and making objective decisions without bruising egos.

3) Leadership translates best when it’s authentic; great leaders learn to lead from the front, middle, or rear depending on situational need.

4) Athletes become exceptional executives because they already understand discipline, failure, repetition, and long-term process.

5) A coach’s power lies in steadiness, especially when a client or athlete misses the big moment.

Quotes

• “To become a champion, you must act like one before you ever win.” – Madeline Davis Tully

• “My job isn’t to want it more than you. My job is to help you realize what you truly want.” – Madeline Davis Tully

• “A great coach meets their athlete at the dock after a loss — steady, present, and ready for what’s next.” – Madeline Davis Tully

Connect with Madeline Davis Tully

• Website: ⁠https://mdtlead.com

⁠• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinedavistully

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