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The Correlation Between Career Success and Physical Fitness
How exercise helps your brain, and why a workout might help you get promoted
There’s something about waking up and crushing a workout before the day has even begun. You feel motivated, successful, and productive. It puts you in a good mood, which carries you throughout the day. That’s perhaps why people who exercise regularly enjoy greater career advancements and success.
I worked as a health coach for a few years. I was based in London at the time and had several clients who were high-performing professionals — investment bankers, corporate lawyers, tech executives, etc. Yet, they came to me feeling stuck. Their careers had plateaued, and they complained of mental fog, waning energy, and a lack of drive. They weren’t just looking for a fitness fix; they were desperate for a breakthrough across the board.
One client, a 42-year-old financial analyst, stands out. Let’s call him James. He was earning well into six figures but had been overlooked for promotions twice in two years. He felt exhausted all the time, had gained about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of body fat, and described his brain as “constantly running on fumes.” I suggested we start with a simple plan: three 30-minute strength training sessions a week, morning walks, and swapping his…
