Episode 151: From Couch Potato to Ironman: One Decision That Changed Everything for Alwaleed Alkeaid

Alwaleed ALkeaid is the first Saudi to complete the Ironman Triathlon, a decision that changed his destiny. Alwaleed was a self-described couch potato with no purpose, sleeping through classes, addicted to online gaming, directionless. Then he watched a video of Team Hoyt, a Father Dick Hoyt carrying his disabled son Rick through an entire Ironman, and everything changed. Within two years, he became the first Saudi to complete the grueling 140.6-mile challenge, training over 6,500 kilometers in freezing Vancouver rain and snow. Today, Alwaleed is a certified corporate wellness specialist, former CEO of the Saudi Boxing Federation, founder of the Saudi Sports Professional Network, and a Forbes-recognized innovator who has advised C-Suites and led mega events across 15+ years in sports, business, and public service. He helps organizations, from national federations to private companies, build high-performance cultures rooted in meaning, purpose, and wellbeing. In this episode, Alwaleed shares how Ironman discipline translates to organizational leadership, why meaning has become the ultimate motivator in today's workforce, and how trust-based cultures unlock extraordinary performance. We explore the blind spots that kill team empowerment, the three things' employees need most, why AI should enhance rather than replace human creativity, and how sports can unite people across all differences. From corporate wellness strategy to policy-level change, Alwaleed's mission is clear: create impact that transforms lives and shapes the next generation of health, wellbeing, and leadership. 02:00 - The Couch Potato Years: No Purpose, No Direction 03:00 - The Tim Hoyt Video That Changed Everything  06:00 - 24 Weeks to Ironman: Facing Ultimate Challenge 08:00 - First Saudi Ironman and Total Life Transformation 10:00 - Ironman Discipline Applied to Organizational Leadership 13:00 - Why Toxic Culture Drives Talent Away 17:00 - The Blind Spots That Kill Empowerment 21:00 - Meaning is the New Money: Values, Involvement, Training 24:00 - Hire for Heart and Values, Not Just Skills 28:00 - AI as a Tool for Work-Life Balance 31:00 - Sports as Catalyst for Global Change If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.