IWD 2025: Triathlons to boardrooms: The power of sport in leadership

As we celebrate International Women's Day, I reflect on the pivotal moments in my life that have shaped me as both a woman and a leader. One of the most significant influences on my career, especially in tech, has been the sports I've practiced. Today, as the Executive Vice President for MENA & APAC at Equativ, I continue to draw strength from my passion for sport—values such as tenacity, resilience, and discipline have been my foundation. Sports taught me what it means to push through limits, face challenges head-on, and emerge stronger from them—traits that have guided me both professionally and personally.

A Foundation Built on Sports and Tenacity

Looking back, I can clearly see that many of the values that shaped me as a leader came from my time in sports. From a young age, I embraced discipline, competitiveness, and mental fortitude—values I didn't even realize I was absorbing until much later in life. Sports taught me how to thrive under pressure, navigate setbacks, and never give up. These early experiences shaped my belief that perseverance, resilience, and consistency are essential to success—not just in sports, but also in business.

One thing that stands out to me is the power of combining vision with communication, empathy, and confidence. These are the same qualities I use to drive my teams and lead in a challenging industry. When I think about the tough moments in my career, I realize that my sports background prepared me for them. Whether it's a challenge on the field or in a boardroom, I always feel that sense of resilience guiding me.

The Power of a "Masculine" Approach to Leadership

Growing up in a traditional environment with a family who were very much immersed in masculine codes, I adopted certain qualities unconsciously. Sports were a significant part of that upbringing. I wasn't surrounded by the typical "girly" expectations—no heels, no dresses. Instead, I was focused on developing my skills, competing, and being the best at what I did. This mindset, shaped by sport, helped me break into male-dominated fields and positions, where performance, not charm or appearance, was the most important asset.

While I may not have consciously aimed for a "masculine" approach to leadership, it was the one I fell into. I communicated directly, focused on achieving goals, and never let myself be intimidated—especially by male colleagues. This confidence, built through sport, naturally translated into my professional life. In both business and sport, I learned that self-confidence and a strong sense of personal identity are key to cultivating charisma and leadership.

Overcoming Limits: From Sports to Leadership

One of my most defining experiences came through triathlon, specifically the Ironman—a competition that demands 15 hours of endurance. That investment in physical and mental effort taught me so much about pushing through pain and embracing challenges. It wasn't about winning or losing—it was about pushing myself to the limit and not giving up. The perseverance I gained from competing in such demanding sports is the same perseverance I use every day in my career.

An Ironman, or any long-distance sport, demands a consistency and resilience that directly applies to leadership. You can't go into a competition like that without knowing your limits, but more importantly, without knowing that you can push beyond them. The same holds true in business. I've learned that you can always go further than you think you can—whether in a workout or in the corporate world.

Building Strength and Resilience

Balancing sport with a demanding career—15 hours of training each week alongside a 50-hour workweek—has been a test of my time management and resilience. It isn't just about the physical benefits, though—it's about the mental strength I build. I encourage my children to embrace sports for the same reasons: discipline, respect for rules, and the understanding that with practice, they can always improve. Sports have a remarkable impact on mental health too; it's not just about physical fitness, but about the social connections and emotional resilience it fosters.

Yet, too often, the benefits of sports—especially for women—are underestimated. We don't just build our bodies; we build our confidence, our capacity for resilience, and our ability to manage challenges. This is something I'm passionate about advocating for: empowering women through sport. Women can gain so much from sports, not just in terms of fitness, but also in gaining the confidence to face the world and excel.

Breaking Barriers and Encouraging Women to Lead

As a woman in a leadership role, I often think about how we can help women break through the barriers in industries like tech. The lessons learned from sports—consistency, resilience, discipline—are the same tools that allow us to succeed in business. To women who are striving to break barriers, I say: Believe in yourself. You have the power within you to achieve your goals. Keep going, even when things feel difficult. Never let fear or setbacks stop you from moving forward.

Advocating for Gender Equality

If I could change one thing for women in the world, it would be to champion gender equality in every industry. Progress has been made, but we still have work to do. At Equativ, we actively invest in women's leadership development—providing mentorship and opportunities for senior roles. By lifting up women and championing diversity, we help create a stronger, more inclusive future.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, I'm reminded of how far we've come. But we must keep pushing, for ourselves and for every woman. We have the power to break down more barriers and to keep challenging ourselves, just as we do in sports.