Football fans may recognize this entrepreneur. Nayib Lagouireh played professionally for Dutch clubs including Feyenoord, Excelsior, Fortuna Sittard, and Roda JC. After retiring from football in 2017, he launched his own business. Nayib founded The Ranch, which helps entrepreneurs and executives take their health and performance to the next level.
Being able to enjoy what you build
“We help them lead strong, healthy, and fit lives,” Nayib begins. “So they can get the most out of their day. In terms of focus, energy, and stamina.” Exercise is naturally part of that, but not the only thing, he explains: “We look at the big picture—exercise, sleep, nutrition, and stress management. As a result, our clients experience their lives as more productive, lighter, and more enjoyable. They can truly enjoy everything they’re building.”
But when it came to his own life and business, Nayib struggled for a long time to relax and enjoy himself. Especially when he faced setbacks, he often became frustrated. As a result, he was unable to see many solutions or opportunities.
A fresh perspective
In the past, Nayib often blamed others for problems. For example, his former business partner. “If he didn’t do what was expected of him, I always blamed him,” Nayib said. “Or them, or this, or that. It was always something or someone outside of myself that caused the challenges. I didn’t realize that I was the one who tolerated and allowed all of this.”
When the pandemic hit, Nayib felt like a victim of the government. “I spent the whole day feeling angry and frustrated,” he says. “Sometime during that period, I came across Straight-Line Leadership. I attended a few of their events and noticed that they had a completely different mindset—that of an ‘owner’ rather than a ‘victim’.”
As a business owner, you are responsible for yourself and everything that happens around you—and you always have the power to change things. Whether the situation is your doing or not. The Straight-Line Coaches helped Nayib look at things from that perspective. It had such a profound effect on him that he joined one of Straight-Line Leadership’s membership programs. “That really changed my life.”
Opportunities and greater ambitions
Nayib certainly didn’t lack the discipline to work hard. What he did lack were the right insights and skills. That’s why he embraced all the tools and assignments offered through the membership with both hands. And it paid off: Nayib is doubling his revenue again this year and plans to purchase a second property so that The Ranch can grow to the next level. Nayib has also set ambitious goals for 2024. “The membership keeps me constantly on my toes, ensuring I don’t set the bar too low and that I aim high,” he says. With the support of Straight-Line Leadership, he is confident he will achieve them.
“It had always been my dream to grow my business this way,” Nayib shares. “But I didn’t know if it was possible, and I didn’t have a concrete plan. Straight-Line Leadership made the possibilities visible and tangible. And through the successes I achieved, I created momentum I could build on, which in turn amplified my growth ambitions. I now literally see that more is possible—and at the same time, how I need to make that happen quickly.”
Workaholic
Nayib has always been incredibly driven, whether on the field or as an entrepreneur. “People would sometimes tell me I was a workaholic,” he says. “That made me doubt myself. Was I really doing the right thing? But when I finally joined Straight-Line Leadership, I noticed that many other members were just as driven as I was. I realized I wasn’t obsessive; the people around me were just very mediocre. That opened up the possibility for me to really go for it—and to stop feeling guilty about it. Then, with The Ranch, we were able to accelerate things significantly in a short time.”
Passionate investor
Several other members encouraged Nayib to make the most of the opportunity. One of them even became a business partner. “The entrepreneur who introduced me to Straight-Line Leadership is now an investor in The Ranch, which further expands our business opportunities. Since we’re both members, we speak the same language. That leads to better communication and allows us to adapt more quickly. It’s nothing but a win-win.”
Impact on many more people
Nayib wants to reap those benefits in his own business as well. That’s why he coaches his employees once a week based on what he learns at Straight-Line Leadership. “Two team members will soon be starting their own membership,” he adds. “Straight-Line Leadership has given me the ability to consistently deliver results for my clients. I can approach things from a different angle, which allows me to get to the heart of the matter faster and helps them grasp things more quickly. I want to offer that same development to my trainers. You can deliver the best training sessions, but if you can’t connect with the client, it won’t sink in.”
By helping his employees grow, Nayib can help more people lead healthy and fit lives. “When I first started, it was just me and my clients. Now I have a whole team. And if I manage and coach my team effectively, I can make a big impact on many more people at the same time.”