This podcast episode features a conversation between the host Andrew Shaw and Trev White, a former businessman who successfully transitioned into endurance athletics as a GB triathlete.

Business Career and Transition

• Trev spent nearly 20 years in banking before leaving to launch his own CRM consulting business, GAP, around 1999.
• He cited multiple motivators for this change, including the need to increase earnings following a divorce, career stagnation at the bank, and a desire for entrepreneurial independence.
• The business navigated several turbulent periods, including the "millennium bug," the dot-com bubble burst, and later, the global financial crisis.
• Trev described the business as a "lifestyle" company that evolved through various models—from direct client work to sub-contracting for larger firms—before eventually becoming a successful Microsoft consulting partner.
• The process of selling the business was arduous, involving five years of financial preparation and a "horrendous" three-month due diligence process, which resulted in the business selling for less than initially expected.

Athletic Journey

• Following the sale of his business and the subsequent COVID-19 lockdown, Trev began running, eventually joining a local triathlon club.
• Despite initially struggling to swim even two lengths of a pool, he committed to consistent training, analytics, and coaching, eventually becoming a competitive triathlete.
• He identified that he was better suited for long-distance endurance events, eventually competing in an Iron Man, where he placed fifth in his age group.
• Trev has since represented Great Britain in international triathlon competitions, achieving a top-10 finish in his age group, and has pre-qualified for the upcoming world championships in Abu Dhabi.

Mindset and Philosophy

• Throughout both his business and athletic endeavours, Trev emphasizes the importance of resilience, optimism, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• He credits his success in both fields to a "competitive" mindset—not necessarily against others, but against his own potential.
• He stresses the significance of community and camaraderie, noting that the triathlon club provided a sense of belonging and support similar to a professional environment.
• Trev defines elite performance not as a final destination, but as a continuous process of achieving one's personal potential.