How to Adapt to Change: Lessons From an Olympic Underdog
Learn how to adapt to change with Olympic athlete Devon Harris. Discover 3 core capabilities that build resilience and adaptability .
Articles3 min read

Have you ever faced a challenge so overwhelming that it made you question your ability to keep going?
Maybe it was a setback in your career, a personal crisis, or just the quiet exhaustion of carrying too much for too long. That moment of doubt? It’s one every leader, athlete, and dreamer has faced.
But here’s what I’ve learned—on the Olympic track, in military training, and in everyday life:
You’re stronger than you think.
And I’m not just talking about physical endurance. I’m talking about the kind of strength that builds resilient leadership for the long haul and fuels your ability to keep showing up, day after day.
Sure, strength can mean physical power—but your true strength lives in your mindset.
It’s the courage to keep pushing when your legs are tired.
The decision to rise again when you’ve been knocked down.
The resilience to reframe setbacks as setups for comebacks—just like we explore in Reframe Challenges as Opportunities.
The world’s most successful people don’t win because they’re fearless.
They win because they face fear and push forward anyway.
You’ve overcome more than you give yourself credit for.
Think back to a moment when you thought, “There’s no way I can do this”—but then you did.
That’s your proof. That’s your fuel.
This same reflective process is a critical part of resilient leadership—knowing your strength by remembering your story.
Don’t worry about the full journey. Just take the next step.
That mindset is what helped me and my team as we built Olympic-level teamwork—one push at a time.
Whether you’re climbing a mountain or trying to rebuild after a tough season, success comes one step, one breath, one effort at a time.
Mental strength isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build.
Tell yourself “One more rep.”
Say, “Just five more minutes.”
Practice the resilience-building habits that push you forward even when motivation fades.
This form of mental toughness is supported by research. According to Psychology Today, your thoughts shape your behavior. What you say to yourself matters—so speak strength.
You don’t need to feel strong to be strong.
Some of the greatest leaders I’ve worked with—in corporate teams and on the bobsled track—aren’t the loudest, most confident people in the room. They’re the ones who persist, even when it’s hard.
That’s what makes them successful. That’s what makes them unstoppable.
Whether you’re leading a team, chasing a dream, or just trying to stay afloat today…
You’re more capable than you believe.
You’re more prepared than you feel.
You are stronger than you think.
So take the next step.
Keep showing up.
And keep on pushing.
Devon tailors every keynote to your audience, your theme and the challenge in front of them.

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