Elise Devlin

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Elise Devlin

This story is a part of Peak, The Athletic's new desk covering leadership, personal development and success through the lens of sports. Peak aims to connect readers to ideas they can implement in their own personal and professional lives. Follow Peak Editor's Note: here. Tara VanDerveer's curiosity has led her to countless unexpected situations. From swimming laps between Olympians Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel to making her own CDs on the piano, VanDerveer is a seeker.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Elise Devlin

Jay Williams has reached what he calls an "inflection point.""If I can't be the best version of myself, then I can't be that for the people that I love," Williams said. "I think that's what I'm processing now."Williams wears many hats these days: ESPN college basketball analyst, a regular contributor to the network's shows like "Get Up" and "College GameDay," co-founder of a media company, dad to a son and daughter and a husband to his wife, Nikki.

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Elise Devlin

Sticking his head underneath his desk for a moment, Joe Moglia popped back up holding a heavy binder. "See this file?" he said. "I have three of these."Thousands of versions of Moglia lie between the lines of those pages: A 19-year-old college sophomore supporting his wife and newborn daughter by driving a cab and post office truck in New York City while also working at his father's fruit store in the Bronx. The successful CEO of TD Ameritrade.

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Elise Devlin

Michael Phelps knows himself. He knows if he doesn't exercise throughout the week, he'll turn into some "big ass ogre that no one wants to be around."He knows Post Malone's music has recently worked best for cardio days and Eminem's for heavy lifting. He believes in structure, which is why he has his four sons place their shoes and backpacks neatly by the door. He understands that while he hardly ever swims these days, it's still the one thing that will help him through a bad mental health spell.

Feb 4, 2025 | nytimes.com | Elise Devlin

When Jalen Hurts was the quarterback at Oklahoma, author Damon West spoke to the football team. West's speech revolved around a carrot, an egg and a coffee bean. He explained that when you put all three in boiling water, the carrot softens and the egg hardens, but the coffee bean spreads to the rest of the water, getting stronger and impacting what's around it. Though most of Hurts' teammates thought it was a good speech, only Hurts continued to bring it up months later.