Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
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Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
From Olympian to CEO to Record-Breaker at 62: Joetta on Endless Reinvention || EP.211
Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw
24 minutes
2 months ago
From Olympian to CEO to Record-Breaker at 62: Joetta on Endless Reinvention || EP.211
From four-time Olympian to Fortune 500 advisor to record-breaking masters athlete at 62, Joetta proves that reinvention has no expiration date. After hanging up her spikes in 2000 following 28 straight seasons of middle-distance running, Joetta built a thriving business helping corporations apply athletic principles to achieve excellence. Then, 25 years later, her daughter's simple request—"Mommy, I want to see you run"—sparked an extraordinary comeback.
"There's a difference between being healthy for someone in their sixties and competing at a level again," Joetta reflects. But compete she does, crushing records in the 100 and 200 meters, winning national championships, and showing the masters circuit what excellence looks like when you refuse to slow down.
The daughter of the late Dr. Joe Clark (immortalized in the film "Lean On Me"), Joetta learned early that "anything associated with the Clarks has to be excellent." This mantra has driven her from Olympic tracks to corporate boardrooms, where her signature "Joetta Effect" transforms organizations through what she calls the three S's: understanding skill sets, developing strategy, and building staying power.
"I'm a four-time Olympian, but I tried out six times," she shares. "I had to have staying power those other two times to get to the third time, which was my first time making the Olympic team."
Now, as CEO of JoTime Fitness and a sought-after speaker, Joetta doesn't just preach wellness—she embodies it. Her mission extends beyond personal achievement to lifting entire communities, especially youth who need to understand that success in sports extends far beyond going pro.
In this powerhouse episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, Joetta also reveals:
The "reverse role play" technique that transforms toxic workplace dynamics
Why your "why" must outweigh your "how" to achieve any goal
The direct connection between physical wellness and professional productivity
How to build a personal brand that stands alone (think Madonna, Oprah, Socrates... and Joetta)
The critical difference between being a leader and "merely taking a walk"
Her "Garden for Success" framework featuring rows of peas, squash, lettuce, and turnips
From urban to suburban to rural communities, Joetta's message resonates: "It's not about being an Olympic champion. I don't have a gold medal from the Olympics, but I got the Gold Medal of life." Her approach to continuous reinvention challenges conventional wisdom about aging, retirement, and what's possible when you know your purpose.
"When you wrap yourself around yourself, that's a small package," Joetta explains. "But when you wrap yourself around more people, that's a big package, and that's the gift I want to give."
Whether she's breaking masters records, advising Fortune 500 companies, or mentoring youth about the billion-dollar sports industry beyond playing professionally, Joetta Clark Diggs exemplifies what happens when you plant good seeds and refuse to stop growing. At an age when many are slowing down, she's just getting started—again.
Chapters
00:22 - Mission to Advance Women Leaders
02:14 - From Olympic Track to Breaking Records Again
06:41 - Reinventing Yourself at Any Age
08:46 - The Joetta Effect in Corporate Leadership
13:19 - Why Youth Development Matters
18:22 - Finding Your Why to Fuel Motivation
20:45 - Building and Protecting Your Personal Brand
23:32 - The Garden for Success
Guest & Host Links
Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn
Connect with Joetta on LinkedIn
Connect with Inspiring Women
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Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw
Professional. Polished. Accomplished. Thoughtful. Made It. Ready to Make It. “Inspiring Women” is an interview show hosted by Laurie McGraw. 30 years of leadership in both commercial companies and non-profits has taught Laurie one thing: Women need women. Women need Inspiring Women. Hear short-form interviews every week from Inspiring Women who are at the pinnacle of their careers and Inspired Women who are just starting out.
