The Secret to Life-Changing Drive
With Author and Cyclist Leah Goldstein
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube.
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Some people have a moment where they answer the call to do something incredibly challenging, and some people make a life out of it. Leah Goldstein is in the second camp.
Here is her track-record: world champion kickboxer, first-ever female Israeli Defense Force undercover police officer, 1998 duathlon Olympic qualifier, professional cyclist, published author and member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
In cycling specifically, Leah is a multi-time winner of the Race Across America (RAM), a 3000 mile race over 11 days that includes sleep deprivation, several times including in 2021 when she became the first woman to ever win the overall solo division.
She joined the show to discuss her life spent pushing her boundaries and pursuing her potential.
See the top takeaways below.
Episode Highlights (~75 seconds) | Full episode linked above:
Top Takeaways
Fall in love with the process. Leah’s drive comes from pursuing her potential—not perfection—and exploring her limits with curiosity and grit.
Burnout isn’t about working too hard—it’s about working for the wrong reasons. When motivation comes from within, the fuel never runs out.
Big goals make big growth possible. Committing to something bold—like an ultramarathon—pulls us into progress we couldn’t manufacture otherwise.
Adversity builds character. Leah’s story highlights lessons from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang quote that "greatness comes from character, and character isn't formed out of smart people, it's formed out of people who suffered”.
Resources
Topics Covered:
Leah’s journey from world champion kickboxer to IDF undercover agent to champion cyclist
Ultra Endurance race experiences, including Race Across America
Defining success and failure
The mental side of achievement and enduring extreme physical challenges
Using fear as a guide
The power of showing up
The importance of suffering
Performative nature of society and what really leads to burnout
Healing and the fear of losing your edge
The why behind living a life with no limits
The role of a strong support system in achieving greatness
We hope you enjoyed this episode - let me know any thoughts you have via DM or in the comments.
— Adam
Adversity builds character. Leah’s story highlights lessons from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang quote that "greatness comes from character, and character isn't formed out of smart people, it's formed out of people who suffered”.
...AGREED