What if you could peek into the routines that power the world’s most successful leaders? Their performance stacks hold the key. Just as a tech stack is essential for driving innovation and efficiency, a well-curated performance stack serves as the backbone for personal and professional excellence.
In this edition of Chasing Possibilities, we delve into the strategies and tools that empower top leaders to consistently bring their A-game. With insights from high-profile executives who’ve generously shared their performance stacks, you’ll gain invaluable knowledge to enhance your own capabilities and stay ahead in the game.
Alan Jones, National TMT Deals Leader | PE Lead | Board Member – PwC
Meet Alan Jones, a powerhouse in the world of deals, known for his boundless energy and relentless drive. Constantly on the move and navigating a whirlwind of travel, Alan shares his performance stack that fuels his dynamic lifestyle and keeps him at the top of his game:
ChatGPT enterprise + Zoom Meeting transcription – productivity hack
Nordic track treadmill + podcasts – learn while you burn
TechniVorn Mochamaster coffee machine – best way to start the day
Magic Spoon Cereal, Lesser Evil Paleo Puffs, & Le Croix Sparkling – keep it skinny
Therabody Wave Roller & Voltaren – great for aches
Surefoot + In boot heating + Carv – game changer for skiing
Pink Noise Sound Machine + Eye Mask – must have for flights or sleep
Joe Kauder, CFO, Banc of California
Introducing Joe Kauder, a visionary CFO whose expertise shapes the strategic direction of boards and CEOs. With a knack for articulating compelling value propositions to investors and leading a large, dynamic team, Joe thrives amidst the challenges of steering an innovative, growth-oriented bank. Discover the high-performance stack that empowers him to excel every day:
Stoicism – virtues of courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom offer a roadmap
Supplement Stack – AG1, Fish Oil, Vitamin D
Mentors & Former Colleagues – importance of relationships, personal & strategic
Peloton and Kettle bells – longevity and health span
Family
Joe’s definition of High Performance: Inspire, decide and lead to achieve seemingly unattainable results. Sounds like Joe is Chasing Possibilities daily!
Julie Benadum, Executive Vice President, Randstad USA
Meet Julie Benadum, a formidable force who manages strategic and national accounts for some of the biggest brands in the US. Balancing the complexities of high-profile companies, Julie also challenges herself with triathlons, believing that her athletic pursuits enhance her work performance.
Garmin Forerunner and Companion App – the heartbeat of my day, sleep coach, fitness companion
Training Peaks – high performance people need metrics! Guides me daily and essential for my growth and well-being.
DR Performance Team – Engagement with this stellar team and coach (Robert Swan) is critical for not only my triathlon and athletic performance, but also for my mental and emotional peak performance at work.
Julie’s definition of High Performance: Aligning all aspects of life to challenge yourself and inspire others. Compete daily to improve, set audacious goals, and push boundaries. Even if not all goals are met, waking up ready is essential for success.
Will Adams, AI-counting at Anthropic & Finance Leader (𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘟, 𝘜𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵)
Drumroll…introducing Will Adams, an innovative leader focused on creating best-in-class Finance and Accounting organizations. Renowned for his wildly creative thinking and surprising insights, Will is also deeply reflective, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Claude – this is giving me a lot of time back in my day by accelerating work tasks (from hiring to month end close) to planning our next family vacation.
Peloton
Meditation
Reflection
Wills’s definition of High Performance: Small things can have a positive impact – important to remember on busy days, it can be a short meditation or maybe not a peloton PR, but it still helps!
Laura Neal, Stealth Stage Entrepreneur, Neal Family Vineyards &
Spokes Wine
Perhaps you’re curious what this endurance athlete, wife and mom x seven, entrepreneurial trailblazer and owner of a thriving wine brand does to stay agile and tackle each day’s challenges with determination and resilience. Here’s the performance stack I swear by:
Protein Coffee to fuel early morning workouts – double espresso + 1 scoop (15 g protein) of Collagen Protein for strength training + 1.5 cup sweetened almond milk (30 g carbs) if doing cardio.
Creatine by Momentous – 5g per day for cognitive function and muscle development – total gamechanger!
WHOOP – my workout, stress, sleep & recovery coach
LinkedIn Sales Navigator – a business development BFF
Headspace – for my scheduled 15-min mindfulness breaks throughout the day
Zoom AI Companion – to record conversations, prioritize, provide insights, action tasks
HRT Meds – goodbye hot flashes, brain fog, and sleep disturbances
Lift Heavy Sh*t – inspired by Dr. Stacy Sims
Mattie Reale, Marin Catholic Junior, Always Chasing Greatness
Introducing Mattie Reale, a turbocharged high school student with immense ambition. Always keeping her eye on the prize, Mattie is dedicated to daily improvement, striving to be the best version of herself and make a positive impact on the world.
Faith
WHOOP for sleep motivation and checking mama’s scores
100 ounces hydration daily supplemented with LMNT electrolytes
25 grams of protein per meal
Veggies/Salads – superfoods!
Meditation App – Calm
Throughout this exploration of diverse performance stacks, we’ve seen how these exceptional individuals—from innovative leaders to dedicated entrepreneurs and driven students—craft their unique paths to success. Their stories demonstrate the power of intentional strategies in achieving personal and professional goals.
We encourage you to share your own high-performance stack in the comments.
Your experiences and insights could