Checkered Flag Living with Christy Swaid on Balance, Resilience and Purpose in Everyday Life

After years of chasing podiums and records, Christy Swaid has learned that life’s greatest victories are often found away from the finish line. Her philosophy of Checkered Flag Living is about embracing the rhythm between ambition and rest, winning and learning, striving and surrendering. It is the art of holding speed and stillness in the same breath.

In this third conversation, Swaid reflects on how faith, gratitude and perspective have shaped her understanding of performance and wellbeing. She explores what it means to find purpose in the everyday, how to maintain resilience in the face of burnout and why joy, not pressure, is the ultimate measure of balance.

Your philosophy of Checkered Flag Living blends performance and balance. How would you describe it in your own words?

I talk a lot about focusing on the journey and not just the destination, striking that perfect balance between end-goal performance and daily intentionality. Achieving milestones, winning trophies - those big, incredible life moments are few and far between for most but it's who you are in between those accomplishments is where the real magic and challenge lies. I recently was humbled on the race track. I was reminded that smooth and smart wins good lap times. Ego, ambition, and aggressive application often ruins great lap times. Humility is king because it opens us to learning and adapting to better ways of moving forward. Appreciating the little wins and gracefully moving through the hardships is the true mastering of intentional balance.

Modern life often feels like a constant race. What practical steps help people slow down without losing ambition?

Gratitude and a focus on Jesus. He said, “ my burden is light and my yoke is easy. The closer we get to Jesus the better we will feel and perform. Being grateful for a great cup of coffee, a healthy body that can take you on a simple walk around the neighborhood, and having the time to sink into a good book. Little life moments are the stepping stones to achieving the big goals and a daily gratitude practice makes that journey so much more enjoyable. I contemplate this question as I reflect on my career of racing. Racing and life has seasons. There is an off season, a time to prep and a time to reach peak performance. It’s important for races to rest during the off season. If we look at the example of Jesus, He demonstrates the need to pull away from the crowds and busyness to pray and rest. Our culture runs us ragged with nonstop demands. We have to take control of that pace so we don’t end up in pit lane or fully burned out.

When you coach clients what do you notice is the most common barrier that stops people from living with resilience and purpose?

Hopelessness is the death of resilience. I find a lot of people get caught up in their own limiting beliefs. Stuck in a proverbial rut where the goal seems so far away that they can’t even start the process. When you hear something for long enough from other people, and from yourself, you really do start to believe it - even when it’s not true. Breaking down a goal into tangible steps and small celebrations along the way makes that road to victory not only more enjoyable but more believable for the client, making that goal a reality.

You speak about gratitude as a daily practice. What role does it play in sustaining long term wellness?

The body responds to the mind and spirit. Gratitude helps elevate the spirit by tuning the mind toward thoughts that spring up joy. Joy offsets grief and stress which helps heal and strengthen the body. When you experience hardship, illness or injury you are forced to realize what's really important in life. A daily gratitude practice puts you in a parasympathetic state, relaxing your nervous system and setting you up for long-term health. By decreasing your stress and appreciating the little things in life, the journey becomes not only obtainable but more enjoyable.

What lessons from elite sport translate best into the life of a busy entrepreneur or parent?

Elite sports can be lonely. Being outfront and staying outfront demands creativity, determination, and a trustworthy team. I tell my kids to choose good companions, apply themselves to wisdom and take action on the good things they learn. I also believe in forgiveness. We make mistakes in life. It’s important to move forward by learning, forgiving ourselves and others and moving forward in a constructive way. As an athlete, parents and employer, I understand that a healthy body, mind and spirit are directly tied to quality of life and achievements. Valuing the instrument that is your body and taking care of that allows you to excel in all other areas of your life. The saying you can’t pour from an empty cup is true both physically and emotionally. The energy that drive every action is a healthy spirit. Th spirit is like the battery of the car. The engine wont turn over if the battery is not charged. Broken bones heal but a broken spirit is debilitating. My spirit is enlivened by the love and grace of Jesus.

Balance is a word people chase but rarely define. How do you personally measure balance in your own life?

Through joy and purpose. I have a theory that is helpful to use in keynote speeches that is called neutral buoyancy. Joy is like adding air to the vest of a scuba diver while purpose id the weight belt. The integrity of weight hold us steady and the buoyancy of joy keeps us from sinking. I know I am in balance when I am joyful and productive. When I am out of balance, I can’t see the forest through the trees - I’m surviving, not thriving - no time for gratitude and joy. My gratitude practice and taking the time to fill my own cup puts me right back in alignment with my goals.

If someone feels lost or burnt out where do you recommend they begin the process of healing?

Take an inventory of your life. Examine what isn’t serving you anymore as well as what are you serving? Determine how you can take action to be a better version of your authentic self and how you can be a force of good in your sphere of influence. This can be as simple as cleaning and clearing a neglected space in your home - it doesn't need to be a major change to shift your perspective and put you on a better path. The small win of clearing out a junk drawer for example can have a positive cascade effect on your life - clearing the way for other positive changes throughout your life.

Christy Swaid’s idea of success no longer revolves around medals or records. Through Checkered Flag Living, she has redefined performance as the ability to live with intention, faith and self-awareness. Her reflections remind us that balance is not a destination but a discipline built on gratitude, humility and purpose.

In her world, resilience is not about enduring the race at full speed but knowing when to pause, breathe and realign. For Swaid, the finish line is not an end but a daily choice to live with courage, compassion and joy.