Today, I stood on the sidelines of the Gold Coast Marathon, cheering on my husband as he tackled 42.2km of pure grit. And somewhere between the starting gun and the finish line, I had a bit of a business epiphany.

Because honestly? Watching that marathon was like watching the messy, inspiring, sometimes painful process of building a business, just in activewear.

Here’s what running a marathon taught me about business (without breaking a sweat).

1. The start line is everything

There were thousands of people at the start line, all different ages, backgrounds, body types, and experience levels. But the one thing they all had in common? They showed up. In business, just being willing to start, to show up despite fear, imposter syndrome, or lack of a "perfect" plan, already puts you ahead of the pack. The people still on the couch of self-doubt? They're not even in the race yet. So, don’t underestimate the power of pressing “go.” The start line is more powerful than you think.

2. It's about progress, not perfection

Not everyone was sprinting. Most weren’t. I saw slow joggers, walkers, limpers, but they were all moving forward. That’s business in a nutshell. You don’t need to have the perfect website, a viral TikTok, or five-figure months straight away. You just need to keep going. One decision, one offer, one email at a time. Progress isn't flashy, it’s consistent.

3. Time doesn’t define success

My husband didn’t win the race. He didn’t even care about the time. What mattered was that he crossed the finish line. In business, we often compare ourselves to people who “got there faster.” But success isn’t about how quickly you get there, it’s that you get there at all. Your timeline is your own. Run your race.

4. You can't do it alone

From water station volunteers to random strangers screaming encouragement, every runner had support. Your business needs that too. Whether it’s a mentor, a business bestie, a supportive partner, or a cheer squad of fellow entrepreneurs, community matters. And bonus points if you’re the one cheering others on. Encouragement is contagious.

5. Pain is temporary, legacy isn’t

Around the 35km mark, things got... brutal. But the finish line? Pure magic. Teary, sweaty magic. Business isn’t always comfy. Launches flop. Clients ghost. Self-doubt sneaks in. But if you’ve got a big vision, you’ll push through the hard bits. Because what you’re building, that impact, that freedom, that legacy, is worth it.

Business Is a Marathon It’s not a sprint. It’s not a solo sport. And it’s definitely not about looking good the whole way through. Business is about showing up, moving forward, and choosing your finish line, over and over again. So here’s to the brave ones. The ones who start. The ones who keep going. And the ones who cheer from the sidelines, even with sore feet and tired eyes. Inspired by today’s marathon, and to my husband, who reminded me why we do the hard things.