Ann-Marie Foucault, superintendent of the St. Michael-Albertville School District, joins the podcast to share how her passion for running helps keep her grounded and energized both personally and professionally. She talks about her lifelong love of running, starting in northern Michigan, and how she often explores new cities by going for a morning run while traveling. Ann-Marie discusses the importance of self-care, noting that showing up for herself first enables her to better serve her family and the 7,000 students in her district. She emphasizes building authentic connections with both staff and students, regularly hosting forums and listening sessions to gather honest feedback and encourage student voice. Ann-Marie believes that pursuing passions outside of work helps create stronger relationships and a healthier, more impactful school culture. She encourages everyone to make time for their “And,” since it positively affects productivity, well-being, and community.

Episode Highlights

· Ann-Marie finds running to be a core part of her identity. It provides her with energy, balance, and clarity in both her personal and professional life.
· She lives by Maya Angelou’s quote, “When you know better, do better,” applying it to both running and her work as a superintendent by always striving to improve and push herself while encouraging others to do the same.
· Ann-Marie prioritizes building genuine connections with both students and staff. Through regular forums, listening sessions, and classroom visits, she seeks input directly and values everyone’s perspective.
· She openly shares parts of her personal life (like running, her dog Stanley, and even little mishaps) with students and staff, using vulnerability to break down barriers and build trust.
· Ann-Marie encourages everyone to invest in hobbies and self-care, emphasizing that pursuing personal passions makes people more energized, effective, and capable of serving others, whether in a school district or any other setting.

Dave Olsen, founder and CEO of Nimbl, shares how his passion for mountain biking has played a transformative role in his happiness, resilience, and approach to work. Dave began biking as a practical means of commuting during his time at BYU, but it quickly developed into a favorite release and source of therapy, helping him ground himself and train for life’s challenges. He recounts memorable biking adventures, including completing the 200-mile LoToJa race and conquering the 100-mile White Rim Trail in a single day, which gave him proof that difficult goals are achievable with determination and the right mindset. Dave explains how the mental and physical endurance he builds on the trail directly translates to his ability to handle business and personal challenges with greater confidence. At Nimbl, he intentionally fosters a culture that values the whole person, encouraging employees to pursue their own “And” outside of work and to integrate personal goals into their professional journeys. Dave emphasizes the importance of being open about hobbies and interests, noting that it not only enriches life but also helps him and his team show up as better leaders, teammates, and humans.

Episode Highlights

· Dave shared that mountain biking is not just a hobby, but a crucial source of happiness, energy, and personal grounding for him, acting as a form of release and therapy.
· He emphasized that investing time in mountain biking (or any passion) actually makes him a better leader, employee, husband, and father, as he returns to work and life “lit up,” refreshed, and more effective.
· At his company, Nimbl, Dave intentionally integrates space for employees’ personal goals and passions, aligning individual fulfillment with business needs and making it a key part of their people experience.
· Dave talked about how the perseverance, mental toughness, and training discipline developed through biking directly help him handle stressful or challenging moments at work and in life.
· He encourages sharing “Ands” at work and believes companies are more successful and people are happier when everyone is seen as a whole, multidimensional person, not just for their job titles or roles.

Chris Alder, an executive coach and Zen priest, shares his fascinating journey from working as a chef at ski resorts around the world to finding his calling in spirituality and coaching. He recounts the experiences that shaped his passion for meditation, including a life-changing retreat in India and his ongoing exploration of traditions from different cultures. Chris talks about integrating his Zen background into his coaching practice, learning to embrace it more as his unique brand, and how it attracts clients seeking deeper transformation. He also reflects on the importance of owning one’s unique “And," those passions outside of work that truly light us up. Chris encourages listeners to lead with what makes them come alive and to be unashamedly themselves, as it’s our authentic interests that create genuine connections both personally and professionally.

Episode Highlights

· Chris shares how stepping fully into his identity as a Zen priest and weaving his spirituality into his coaching has helped him stand out and attract the right clients.
· He emphasizes that our hobbies and passions (“Ands”) are our true differentiators and bring light and energy into our lives, workplaces, and relationships.
· Chris encourages people to own their unique interests and passions without shame or fear, highlighting that it’s how you talk about what you love, not what the interest is, that draws people in.
· His story evolves from adventuring in the physical world (like snowboarding across European borders) to exploring the inner world through meditation and spiritual practice, showing that adventure can be both outward and inward.