About this episode

This episode explores how principles from demanding physical disciplines can enhance leadership and business success.

What can one of the most demanding physical disciplines teach us about leadership, decision-making, and success in business? In this episode, we explore how principles like alignment, adaptability, discipline, and awareness—developed through intense training—can be applied far beyond the physical arena. From handling pressure and navigating failure to improving negotiations and leadership, these lessons offer a powerful framework for growth. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or simply looking to sharpen your mindset, this conversation will challenge how you think about performance and resilience. Let's get started. About the Guest Benjamin Chen is the author of the new book Lessons from the Mat: The 12 Martial Arts Principles that Will Help You Succeed in Business and in Life, available at www.FromtheMatAcademy.com , is a serial entrepreneur, supply chain expert, and black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has built successful businesses across industrial, enterprise software, cloud, and consumer internet sectors, earning a reputation for disciplined execution and strategic growth. He has served on the boards and senior management teams of four…

People in this episode

Host: Kimberli J. Lewis

Guest: Benjamin Chen

Topics covered

• leadership
• decision-making
• business strategy
• performance
• resilience
• martial arts principles

Keywords

• leadership
• business strategy
• martial arts
• decision-making
• resilience
• entrepreneurship
• negotiation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: From the Mat Academy

Books & works: Lessons from the Mat: The 12 Martial Arts Principles that Will Help You Succeed in Business and in Life

More episodes of Leadership Beyond Borders

• How confident are you that your hiring process consistently identifies the best person for the job? · July 21, 2026 · 52 min
• Clear Thinking in Complex Business Decisions · July 14, 2026 · 51 min
• Leadership in the Age of AI Discovery with Wendi Sturgis · July 7, 2026 · 51 min
• The Personal Brand Advantage · June 30, 2026 · 53 min
• Rethinking Employee Turnover: Building Workplaces Where People Stay · June 23, 2026 · 53 min
• Beyond Process: The Behaviors That Drive Project Success · June 16, 2026 · 52 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Leadership Beyond Borders podcast page.