Episode #11
Allen Lim
Cultivating Performance Culture and Community
In this deeply insightful episode, Rebecca sits down with Dr. Allen Lim, renowned sports scientist, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Skratch Labs. Allen’s journey from a young, curious cyclist to one of the most influential figures in human performance is a testament to the power of curiosity, connection, and care. Through a raw and heartfelt conversation, Allen and Rebecca explore the intersection of science and emotion, performance and play, and the relentless pursuit of meaning in sport and life.
Dr. Allen Lim’s journey is one of contrasts, balancing external validation with self-acceptance. Growing up as a latchkey kid in LA, cycling became both an escape and a calling, leading him from city streets to the Olympic stage. His early kitchen experiments fueled his passion for performance science and led to the creation of Skratch Labs. Inspired by the 1984 Olympics, he believes sport is a unifying force and now focuses on "creating luck" and fostering environments where athletes thrive. Through personal loss, including the tragic passing of Moriah Wilson, he’s learned that connection and play are just as vital as performance. As he prepares for the 2028 LA Olympics, his message is clear: the Games won’t change athletes’ lives, but their impact can inspire the world.
Show Notes
Transformative Insights
Being Seen vs. Being Enough – The shift from seeking external validation to embracing self-worth.
The Importance of Connection – How relationships, mentorship, and community shape success and well-being.
Lessons from the Kitchen – How meal prep, family dinners, and cooking for others became foundational to Allen’s philosophy on life.
Balancing Ambition with Acceptance – The tension between striving for greatness and realizing that what we have is already enough.
Vulnerable Moments
Allen opens up about his childhood experience of exclusion and how it shaped his commitment to building bridges.
He shares the trauma of losing Moriah Wilson and the simple human need for comfort and companionship in grief.
Rebecca and Allen reflect on the pressure of high achievement and learning to let go of the fear of not being “enough.”
Allen talks about the weight of responsibility in leadership and business and how he learned to trust his team.
Practical Wisdom
The "Making Luck" Philosophy – Why success isn’t just about hard work, but about creating environments where people can thrive.
How to Build a Vision of Greatness – The importance of articulating your purpose to stay aligned in moments of doubt.
Tools for Play & Performance – How bringing joy and competition together leads to better outcomes in sport and life.
The Dinner Table Rule – Why tracking who you share meals with can be a more meaningful measure of success than work achievements.
Personal Growth
Allen’s transition from scientist and coach to nurturer and community builder.
The realization that true leadership is about care, not control.
Learning to embrace contradictions—beauty and terror, ambition and stillness, winning and losing.
Finding freedom in play, laughter, and human connection.
Links and Resources
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A guide to leading with authenticity and awareness by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp
Zingerman’s Guide to Good Leading series by Ari Weinzweig
Show Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Momentous. As a special thanks for listening, they're offering 35% off your first subscription order with the coupon code RUSCH. Click here to order!
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