George Carralejo Urges Leaders to Apply Athlete Mindset to Business Performance

Former Division I athlete and business executive calls for a shift toward recovery, focus, and feedback cycles in the workplace

Yorba Linda, California, 18th September 2025, ZEX PR WIRE— George Carralejo, a former Division I athlete turned business executive and coach, is calling on business leaders to rethink how they approach performance and productivity. Drawing from his experience in both elite sport and corporate leadership, Carralejo is advocating for a workplace culture that prioritises recovery, focus, and frequent feedback.

“In sports, you don’t train nonstop — you schedule recovery as part of your plan,” Carralejo says. “Yet in business, people try to sprint all year long. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not how high performers stay at the top of their game.”

Why It Matters

According to a 2023 Deloitte survey, 77% of professionals report feeling burned out in their current job, and research from the American Psychological Association shows that burnout directly impacts performance, decision-making, and retention rates.

Carralejo believes the solution lies in applying the same principles athletes use: focus on a small set of meaningful goals, incorporate structured recovery, and give timely feedback. “Performance reviews once a year are like watching game film months after the season ends,” he notes. “Feedback has to be close to the moment to have real impact.”

What People Can Do Right Now

Carralejo recommends that professionals:

1. Study mindfulness – Learn to stay present and focus on the task at hand.

2. Schedule active recovery — take breaks that move the body to reset the mind.

3. Create feedback loops — make team check-ins more frequent and more specific.

4. Cross-train skills — learn areas outside your role to strengthen collaboration and adaptability. There’s strength in being a generalist.

“When you approach business like a sport, you realise it’s not just about effort — it’s about how you prepare, execute, and recover,” Carralejo says.

About George Carralejo

George Carralejo has spent his career surrounded by high performers in sport and business. As a business executive and coach, he helps organisations and individuals reach their potential by applying the discipline, focus, and resilience he learned as a Division I athlete. His purpose is to help people become the best version of themselves.

Call to Action:
Rethink your approach to work. Focus on fewer, more impactful goals. Schedule recovery. Build feedback into your routines. Small, intentional changes can lead to sustained high performance — in sports, in business, and in life.

Read the full interview, here.