The Power of Focus with Jason Stewart (Part 2)

Rise Above Chaos

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/041

In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews West Point Athletics Hall-of-Famer Jason Stewart about his journey from his successful conclusion of his collegiate career and how he leveraged that to pursue a world class running career, while serving his country.

Jason recounts the obstacles he faced trying to find his place on the world stage while navigating his Army career as a Field Artillery Officer and being deployed to Bosnia Herzegovina in the mid 1990s.

Jason describes what it was like to be on the front lines of Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia while losing all of his fitness and the struggle to get back into racing shape in time to compete in the United States Olympic Trials for a chance to represent his country in the Olympics.

Jason outlines three key lessons he learned from his decade of elite running from high school, college, and at the olympic levels and why he’s content influencing the next generation to pursue excellence.

Jason Stewart

Personal:

Married: Tracy – married 23 years

Children: Lily – 21 – Chemical Engineering Senior at Penn State University Nate – 18 – Freshman at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis

Work:

Vice President – Keurig Dr Pepper

Athletic:

UNITED STATES ARMY WORLD CLASS ATHLETE PROGRAM

• Olympic Trials Track Finalist 5000m run – 7th in 2000 / 11th in 1996
• US National Cross Country Team Member – 1999 / 2000
• Top 10 Ranking US Track & Field 5000m Run – 8th in 2000 / 9th in 1998
• 2nd – 1999 United States Cross Country Championships

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY

• West Point Athlete of the Year – 1993 - 1994
• 3-time Division I All-American – First Team (Cross Country / Indoor Track / Outdoor Track)
• 3rd – 1994 NCAA Championships Outdoor - 5000m run
• 5th – 1994 NCAA Championships Indoor – 5000m run
• 1993 – 1994 Army Team Captain – Cross Country / Track
• Led 1993 Army Cross Country Team to 6th place at NCAA Championships
• 1993 IC4A Cross Country Champion
• 5 Time Conference Champion – 1000m / 1500m / Mile / 3000m / 5000m – Heptagonal / Patriot League
• Set 5 Academy Records – Indoor Mile / 3000m / 5000m & Outdoor 1500m / 5000m

CONRAD WEISER HIGH SCHOOL - Robesonia, PA

• 1990 State Champion – 1600m Run
• 1990 State Champion – 3200m Run Indoor
• 1989 Cross Country All-American (12th at National Championships)
• 1989 State Runner-Up – Cross Country
• Member Conrad Weiser High School Sports Hall of Fame

Career Personal Bests:

• 1500m – 3:40.01 (3:57 mile equivalent)
• 5000m – 13:30.63

Other:

• Bosnia Veteran 1996 - 1997
• US Army Paratrooper

Resources Mentioned

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Jason’s LinkedIn
5. Army Hall of Fame Page

Action Step

• Become a mentor for someone