Erin Sprague: Life Lessons from a Road Warrior

TL;DR

Erin, a Women's Product Manager at Specialized, shares her journey of finding balance and fulfillment through cycling and endurance sports, including running marathons on all seven continents and participating in Ironman races.

Transcript

[NOISE] It's not really about what happens at the end of the race, it's really having the courage to show up and to start. And to look at something that seems really impossible, but to break it down and not only do it, but also enjoy it and find a new part of what I'm capable of. [MUSIC] I worked at a hedge fund on Wall Street for five years and I ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚙 Erin's passion for cycling and endurance sports developed as an outlet from her finance job.
• 👻 Her role as the Women's Product Manager at Specialized allows her to bring more women into cycling.
• 🏃 Running marathons on all continents taught Erin the value of the process and the people she met along the way.
• 🫷 Participating in Ironman races has become a lifestyle for Erin, pushing her to constantly strive for new challenges.
• ⌛ Erin's time at Stanford's Graduate School of Business empowered her to prioritize her time, listen to feedback, and step into leadership roles.
• 😷 She believes in always asking "what's next" and not being afraid to step into uncomfortable situations.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Erin's passion for cycling and endurance sports develop?

Erin discovered her passion for cycling and endurance sports while working at a hedge fund. She found that her true fulfillment came from engaging in these activities rather than her job.

Q: What is Erin's role as the Women's Product Manager at Specialized?

As the Women's Product Manager, Erin is responsible for managing Specialized's women's product lines. Her goal is to design products that provide the most enjoyable experience for women cyclists.

Q: How did Erin become the youngest woman to run a marathon on all seven continents?

Erin's journey of running marathons on all continents took over two years to accomplish. She found that the process and the people she met along the way were more meaningful than the actual record.

Q: Why does Erin participate in Ironman races?

Participating in Ironman races became a new challenge for Erin and opened up a whole new world for her. The suffering and communal experience of Ironman races have pushed her forward and become a defining aspect of her life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Erin worked at a hedge fund but felt the need for a fulfilling outlet, which led her to cycling and running.

• As the Women's Product Manager at Specialized, Erin's mission is to bring more women into the sport of cycling.

• Erin has accomplished running marathons on all continents and participating in Ironman races, finding joy in the process and the people she met along the way.