Table of Contents

• The man who made Nike uncool

• The rise of “Founder Mode” in Silicon Valley and i …

• Top Tickers

• Bitcoin left out as stocks, bonds and gold party o …

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The man who made Nike uncool

Instead of transforming the sneaker giant into a high-tech powerhouse, John Donahoe pissed off partners and disappointed fans.

Nike's journey under John Donahoe's leadership has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. While initially soaring on the success of the "Panda Dunks" and achieving record sales of $50 billion, the company soon faced an unexpected twist. Despite Nike’s iconic status, challenges emerged as sneaker culture shifted, and the oversaturation of certain models led to a backlash among enthusiasts.

Donahoe, a tech veteran with limited sneaker background, focused on digital transformation and direct-to-consumer strategy. This meant cutting ties with many wholesale partners to streamline sales through Nike's own channels. While this strategy boosted revenue and gross margins initially, it left retail spaces open for competitors like Adidas and New Balance to seize the spotlight.

The slowdown in innovation and reliance on legacy products raised questions about Nike's future. As the market appetite for lifestyle sneakers waned, and with new entrants gaining ground, Nike faced the challenge of reinventing its allure. Donahoe's approach of cost-cutting and layoffs raised concerns internally, with many questioning whether the Bain consultant mindset clashed with Nike's innovative DNA.

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The rise of “Founder Mode” in Silicon Valley and its relevance to elite athletes

Much like athletes, founders should trust their instincts and remain deeply involved in their companies, even as they grow

Athlete Founder Mode refers to a leadership mindset and operational style adopted by athletes who transition into entrepreneurial ventures or leadership roles, applying the discipline, resilience, and team dynamics honed in their athletic careers. It mirrors the concept of Paul’s Founder Mode in business but is tailored to leverage the unique mental conditioning, competitive drive, and leadership qualities that athletes develop throughout their sports careers.

In Athlete Founder Mode, the (former) athlete remains deeply involved in the strategic and operational aspects of their company, much like founders in the tech world, who maintain direct oversight of their ventures even as they scale. This model emphasizes:

• Resilience Under Pressure – Athletes are trained to perform under intense pressure and recover from setbacks, making them particularly adept at navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, such as market disruptions or business failures.

• Unwavering Discipline – Just as athletes dedicate themselves to rigorous training regimens, they apply that same discipline to building and running a business, ensuring continuous progress toward long-term goals.

• Hands-on, Visionary Leadership – In „Athlete Founder Mode“, the athlete-founder stays actively engaged in both the big-picture vision and the day-to-day operations, fostering a strong, cohesive team by leading through example and motivating those around them.

• Team Dynamics and Leadership – With a deep understanding of team collaboration from their athletic experience, these founders excel at building and managing effective teams, driving performance, and cultivating a culture of excellence within the organization.

This approach enables athlete-founders to use their unique skill set and personality traits to guide their companies with the same intensity, focus, and determination that characterized their sports careers.

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Top Tickers

Some of the most active and relevant securities and quotes (compared to previous day's closing price)

Bitcoin left out as stocks, bonds and gold party on global monetary easing

The crypto might need more than some modest rate cuts to embark on a new bull run.

Global monetary easing is in full swing, with central banks cutting rates to stimulate economies. Stocks, bonds, and gold are all experiencing significant gains. But one notable asset has been left out of the rally: Bitcoin.

Despite a recent rally, Bitcoin remains under pressure, trading around $60,000 and about 20% off its all-time high of $73,500 set six months ago. While traditional assets like the S&P 500 and gold are hitting record levels, Bitcoin’s performance has been lackluster.

However, a broader perspective shows Bitcoin is still up over 40% year-to-date and 127% from a year ago. Some analysts suggest this underperformance is simply a pause after an extraordinary run. Yet, compared to its peak nearly three years ago at $69,000, Bitcoin's current position is less impressive, especially when considering its potential role as an inflation hedge.

Historically, Bitcoin hasn't thrived during moderate rate-cutting cycles. During the easing cycle that began in 2019, Bitcoin actually declined by about 15% before the pandemic-triggered monetary push ignited a bull run. This pattern raises questions about whether the current easing measures are enough to trigger the next major rally for Bitcoin.

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Then, we have Valtteri Bottas who’s last out of 22 drivers in the standings (one of four without a point), a far cry from his consecutive second-place finishes in 2019 and 2020 with Mercedes. So, why is Valtteri happy?

“Health. Being able to do stuff, I just like to do lots of stuff,” he said to The Athletic when asked how he defines happiness. “Be active. Travel. Race my car — that’s a big thing. But in the end, for me, it’s actually really simple things that make me happy.”

Valtteri’s journey from Mercedes to Sauber shows that success isn't just about podiums—it's about finding balance in life. Despite Sauber’s struggles on the track, Valtteri has found contentment through simple pleasures: coffee, cycling, and adventure. As co-owner of a coffee roastery and participant in endurance events like the 180km water bike challenge, Valtteri has embraced a life beyond racing.

Facing an uncertain future with his contract and Audi’s 2026 entry, Valtteri stays focused, showing that finding balance—even in challenging circumstances—fuels long-term success.

Have a great weekend and embrace your life beyond working!

Irg

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