Goal Setting: From a Ninja Warrior and an Industry Legend

Auto Care ON AIR

What separates those who achieve their goals from those who merely dream about them? In this illuminating conversation, Jacki Lutz brings together two remarkable individuals from vastly different worlds: Larry Pavey, former CEO of Federated Auto Parts Group, and Alex Weber, American Ninja Warrior competitor and host, to unpack the psychology and practical tactics behind effective goal setting.
The discussion reveals a powerful concept both men encountered on their journeys: "the messy middle." This challenging period between initial excitement and eventual achievement is where most people abandon their aspirations. Weber shares his humbling experience of failing repeatedly in Ninja Warrior training despite his prior athletic achievements, while Pavey recounts turning around a struggling business by trusting his team and stepping back. Their stories demonstrate that perseverance through discomfort is the true differentiator in goal achievement.
"Good things happen when you go all in," Weber explains, challenging listeners to examine whether they've rationalized abandoning goals simply to avoid the difficult growth period. Meanwhile, Pavey offers wisdom from decades in leadership, warning against the complacency that can follow success: "You can't ever get comfortable. You got to get up every day and figure out how to get better."
Both guests emphasize that goals often reveal themselves through action rather than advance planning. Weber's initial acting aspirations led him to discover his talent for hosting, while Pavey found opportunities arriving far sooner than he anticipated. This teaches flexibility in goal-setting, sometimes the path becomes clear only after taking the first step.
The conversation concludes with actionable advice: create space to articulate what you truly want, move toward it with urgency, find pride in the challenging journey, and continuously seek improvement even after achieving success. As Weber aptly puts it, "Before any goal can be real, it needs a chance to appear."
Ready to push through your own messy middle and achieve what others only dream about? Subscribe to Auto Care ON AIR and join the conversation about professional growth in the automotive aftermarket industry.

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Chapters

1. Ninja Warrior Experience (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Carpool Conversations (00:03:25)

3. Introduction to Goal Setting (00:04:20)

4. Career Paths and Discovering Goals (00:06:20)

5. Leadership and Business Turnarounds (00:11:00)

6. The Messy Middle and Consistency (00:17:19)

7. Humility and Looking Forward (00:25:19)

8. Final Advice and Takeaways (00:33:29)