High Performance Business & Flow Coach

I help good people

build great businesses.

I also write, podcast, and coach.

Subscribe to my free, weekly newsletter to follow my

musings on the science of high performance business.

Things I've done

I can barely draw a circle and I’m a mediocre musician at best. That’s why business is my creative playground. Over two decades, I’ve built four companies in four countries, served as CEO to four more, raised a ton of capital, and had a few exits along the way.

As a lifelong action sports athlete, I’m obsessed with the science of human performance, which led me to a mid-career sabbatical for my doctoral research on the psychophysiology of flow states. Since then, I’ve hosted a leading entrepreneurship podcast; built a startup accelerator, venture studio, and longevity clinic; and delivered dozens of workshops, keynotes, and interviews on unlocking peak potential in the workplace.

Now I help entrepreneurs and executives perform and feel their best at work—advising hundreds of business leaders who’ve built game-changing companies, created 1000s of jobs, and raised millions in venture capital. To learn more about my work at the intersection of business, neuroscience, and high-performance aging, follow my musings here and here. And if you’re ready to unlock your potential, let’s connect.

Gerrit McGowan - Evidence-Based Entrepreneurship Coach

Things I think about

High-Performance Aging

Make aging your superpower.

High-performance aging is about staying sharp, resilient, on top of our game – no matter our age. Drawing upon decades as an entrepreneur, action sports athlete, and longevity nerd, we unlock strategies for our bodies and brains to not just maintain, but improve as we age.

Flow-Based Business

Foster flow in your workplace.

Flow is that sweet spot where everything aligns: focus sharpens, creativity soars, and you get more done in less time. Building on my doctoral research on the psychophysiology of flow at work, we uncover how business leaders can both perform and feel their best consistently.

Business Neuroscience

Turn science into strategy.

Neuroscience provides us with a backstage pass into understanding how our biology shapes the way we think, act, communicate, create, and lead. I translate groundbreaking science into action with evidence-based frameworks for leveling-up your game in both business and in life.

Things others think about me

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Namik AbdulzadeCofounder of Wunderkind
“I highly recommend Gerrit as a peak performance/startup coach. Gerrit's mentorship has been pivotal for me both professionally and in fitness. His empathetic approach and insight into peak performance make him an invaluable coach.”

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Ren Yi HooiFounder of Lightning Reach
“Gerrit has a genuine empathy and care for founders he works with, and encourages us to think about life and health in a more holistic way. I always look forward to our conversations and take away learnings from them.”

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Roberto ArroyoFounder of Construex
“Gerrit has great experience working with founders, and he deeply understands the process to build a solid VC backed venture. I would recommend any founder to work with Gerrit. The startup journey is filled with challenges and its great to count with him as an adviser.”

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Frederik SteensgaardCofounder of BeCause
“Gerrit draws upon his rich tapestry of experiences to offer a learning environment fostered to be both challenging and nurturing. If it wasn't for my fear of having to share Gerrit with too many other people, there wouldn't be a limit to how highly I would recommend him as a coach.”

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Lance JohnsonCofounder of Scale Advanced Biocomposites
“Writing a recommendation for Gerrit is difficult, because the recommendation can't live up to the man. He is genuine, sincere, passionate, and will put every bit as much into coaching as you do into your business an amazing resource and human to have on your side.”

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Alex FreemanCofounder of Stance Fitness
“Gerrit is an extraordinarily intelligent, perspicacious and thoughtful man with boundless energy and drive. He's one of those people that operates in a higher intellectual gear and has the ability to translate thoughts into articulate and persuasive arguments.”

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Maanas MedirattaCofounder of Bridged Media
“Gerrit is a truly exceptional coach and I can't emphasize enough how I‘ve benefited from his guidance. He excels in laying out various perspectives and helping you think critically about each one, providing the guidance needed to make informed decisions without imposing his own bias.”

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Paul AppelCofounder of ECO2GROW
“Gerrit is an absolute powerhouse entrepreneur and mentor, and a great human being with never ending creative energy to discuss ideas or potential milestones for a venture. His straight forward feedback and perspectives are helpful and often beneficially cleansing!”

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Harry NgFounder of GiveShop
“Gerrit brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his personal experiences as a founder and investor. This allows him to understand the unique challenges a founder faces, and provide the relevant advice to navigate through them. He’s invaluable and what every CEO needs. We just need to figure out how to clone him.”

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Marco DassistiCofounder of Qualimero
“I had the pleasure of working with Gerrit, over multiple years across two ventures. His guidance in scaling our early-stage ventures was invaluable and his advice played a crucial role in our fundraising success. Gerrit is a true asset to any startup looking to make a significant impact.”

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