3 Lessons the Podium Taught Me

Whether you're chasing a medal, building a brand, or grinding toward a goal, we all have our version of the podium. It’s the place we aim for, the result of sweat, sacrifice, and relentless work. I’ve had the honor of standing on physical podiums in competition, but I’ve also fought for the figurative ones in business and life. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things that continue to shape how I train, lead, and live.

Here are three lessons the podium taught me—lessons I carry with me every day.

1. The Podium Only Has Room for One

Getting to the top takes your hard work. No one can do the work for you, but plenty of people might try to ride your effort to elevate themselves.

Pay close attention to the people around you. Are they truly supporting you, or are they trying to benefit from your grind? There’s a difference between those who help push the sled and those who just jump on for the ride.

If you’re going to fight for that top spot, make sure your energy is protected and your team is solid.

2. The Podium Only Has 5 Minutes for You

That moment at the top? It’s fleeting.

The world claps for a few seconds, then it moves on. But the real story, the part that changes you, is in the journey. The sacrifice, the failures, the early mornings, the tough conversations, the tears, and the tiny wins no one sees.

If you can’t appreciate the daily grind, then even standing on the podium will feel empty. Find joy in the process. That’s where the real victory lives.

3. The Podium Has a Strict Policy

The podium doesn’t hand out participation trophies. It doesn’t care how much you want it. It only rewards the work. If you’re not the hardest worker or the most prepared in your niche, you don’t get in.

So ask yourself: Am I doing enough? If the answer is yes, ask again. Then look at your competition, take a breath, and respect their hustle, because they want it too.

If you want that spot, grind for it. Earn it. And if you fall short? Review. Adapt. Come back stronger.

Your Podium Might Look Different - That’s the Point

In 2016, I launched my wine company. Two years later, I stood on top of the South Regional podium, chasing not just fitness, but a vision of blending fitness and wine and building a brand to showcase that you too can Work Hard and Wine Down. 

The podium can be anywhere: in your business, your personal life, your fitness journey. Just remember:

• Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not drag you down.

• Appreciate every step of the journey, not just the finish line.

• And never stop grinding. 

Work Hard. Wine Down. Just Gaux.