Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Clifford.
Hi Tom, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, during a recession in 2006, coming from Michigan. I started my journey as a personal trainer at a gym, assisting people on the floor to exercise more efficiently. Initially, I had only a few clients, but that number grew rapidly to over 80 clients at the gym.
After a year, I discovered my true passion lay in run coaching. I began coaching runners at the track, and this marked the birth of ‘Without Limits’ in 2007. Over the next few years, I dedicated myself to establishing and growing my business, learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. To promote my coaching services, I registered for the Battleship Half Marathon and advertised my business in the race packets. Surprisingly, I ended up winning the race, which generated a substantial response with numerous phone calls and emails about my run coaching business.
A few years later, thoroughly enjoying the experience of running my own business, I decided to venture into organizing marathons in Wilmington. Originally named the Wrightsville Beach Marathon, it has since been rebranded as the Novant Health Wilmington Marathon presented by Wicked Weed. Through hard work, it gradually became one of the largest races in Southeastern North Carolina, attracting over 4000 runners. Between 2010 and 2023, Without Limits successfully curated several enjoyable events, and in 2019, we acquired the Battleship Half Marathon in collaboration with Go Time Events. Interestingly, that very race was the first one I participated in after moving to Wilmington, and it played a significant role in kick-starting my coaching business.
Today, Without Limits manages a total of 8 events, coaching over 200 endurance athletes, which includes 5 US Olympic Trial’s qualifiers in the marathon, operating across 5 locations in the Southeast. We have also developed a nutritional line specifically for endurance athletes and ventured into manufacturing and producing apparel.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My belief is that obstacles and challenges are integral parts of any successful journey, and I have faced many. When we started, my wife decided to quit her job to help me run the business. Working with your spouse can be a struggle at times, requiring patience from both sides. Additionally, financially giving up her income posed a challenge that needed careful consideration from a business planning standpoint.
As my business expanded in all aspects, I had to learn the art of saying no to things that were interesting but not aligned with my main business objectives. Initially, I had a habit of saying YES to everything, thinking every opportunity was worth pursuing. However, I soon realized the importance of staying focused on the core mission of my business.
Having kids changed my life for the better, of course. My thoughts and feelings towards my business underwent significant shifts, especially as my kids reached the delightful ages of 8 and 5. With God being my number one priority in life, my kids are next in line in terms of importance, and our approach to running things now has to be efficient and worthwhile because my presence with my family is paramount.
Coaching athletes comes with its pressures. People hire us with the expectation of seeing results. Meeting these expectations is essential as individuals seek to improve, become faster, and achieve specific time goals, such as qualifying for important races. While there is pressure involved, I see it as a privilege to work with athletes and help them achieve their goals.
In the event management world, I have encountered numerous obstacles. For instance, Covid presented a massive challenge, forcing me to think outside the box to ensure my events could still take place. Creating enjoyable courses accurately measured in the bustling streets of Wilmington, planning around severe weather, hurricanes, and traffic accidents during events – all these factors have kept me on my toes.
Through it all, I firmly believe that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and good. I trust that God doesn’t give us anything we cannot handle.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I run four businesses and actively participate in each, taking on a role within all of them. While I find running a business enjoyable, I derive immense satisfaction from being actively involved in each venture.
One of my roles involves coaching endurance athletes on a weekly basis. Assisting people in setting their goals and guiding them towards accomplishing those objectives brings me great fulfillment.
In addition to coaching, I also direct events. Throughout the year, I am responsible for overseeing eight events, giving me the opportunity to witness thousands of athletes achieve their goals as they cross the finish lines. I take pleasure in the creative process involved in organizing these events, making them enjoyable experiences for all participants.
Another aspect of my involvement revolves around coming up with apparel designs and ideas for events and our brand. It’s exciting to witness the physical products being created and brought to life, knowing that people will wear them with pride.
Marketing for our business is something I thoroughly enjoy, although it was not my forte initially, and I continue to learn. Observing how people interact with our social media and the elements we introduce to our events is a fascinating process.
I believe what sets me apart is my willingness to engage in tough conversations and actively seek constructive feedback without taking offense. It can be challenging to pour your heart and soul into something only to receive negative feedback. However, I understand the value of critical input, as it can ultimately contribute to improvement, even if immediate changes aren’t feasible.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I believe that when you encounter someone successful in their field, you should be willing to reach out and ask how they achieved their success. Let’s be honest; successful individuals likely appreciate when others ask them insightful questions. Sharing knowledge has been the foundation of humanity’s progress, and the ability to transform thoughts into tangible creations is truly remarkable. Countless opportunities await us, and there are so many people to connect with on our journeys. Each connection we make serves a purpose; some may seem smaller than others, but I firmly believe there is meaningful value in every person we meet.
My advice today is to initiate that conversation. In today’s digital age, with emails, texts, and messages constantly flooding our screens, people can get overwhelmed with communication. So, making the effort to sit down for a one-on-one conversation without distractions like phones on the table can go a long way in building a meaningful connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamwithoutlimits.com
- Instagram: @iamwithoutlimits
- Facebook: @withoutlimits
- Twitter: @withoutlimits
Image Credits
Pierce Productions
