Episode #472 – Laura Hayton
Meet
Laura Hayton
Laura Hayton, Head of Business Development (North) at Transicon, brings nearly two decades of experience in power control and drives, paired with a passion for sales, collaboration, and people. Her career — spanning roles at ABB and Halcyon Drives — has been built on strong relationships, resilience, and delivering results. Outside of work, Laura is a dedicated strength training enthusiast and a proud single mother of neurodivergent identical twins.
Our Mission Is To Change The Negative Perception Of Sales People
Our Vision Is A World Where Selling Is A Profession To Be Proud Of
Laura Hayton, Head of Business Development North at Transicon and a passionate advocate for the power of physical fitness in boosting sales performance, is with us on the show this week.
Laura opens up about her personal journey, revealing how strength training helped her overcome anxiety, build resilience, and unlock a new level of professional success—all while balancing the demands of her career and being a single mother to neurodivergent twins.
We explore the direct connections between physical well-being and high performance in sales, and discuss the practical steps sales professionals can take to manage stress, increase motivation, and sustain their energy—all grounded in Laura’s hard-earned experience and actionable advice.
Whether you’re struggling to find time for self-care and looking to overcome burnout, this episode is packed with valuable strategies and inspiration to help you become the best version of yourself, both in and out of the office.
Outline of This Episode
- [00:00] Fitness fuels professional success.
- [03:09] Connection between fitness and business performance.
- [04:45] Morning strength training as the key to daily success.
- [06:52] Fitness helps you keep those plates from spinning.
- [08:37] Consistency over intensity.
- [10:58] Self-care isn’t selfish: strategies for avoiding negative burnout.
- [12:43] How to make fitness a habit.
How Strength Training, Mindset, and Self-Care Fuel Sales Success
For Laura, fitness wasn’t always a priority. Like many, she found herself overwhelmed by anxiety, self-doubt, and the stressors of daily life—especially while raising neurodivergent twins during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. But what began as a coping mechanism quickly turned into a transformative routine. Not only did it help her manage anxiety and self-esteem, it shifted her mindset entirely—replacing self-limiting beliefs with confidence and resilience.
The results transcended the gym. Laura began embracing opportunities she once found intimidating, from public speaking to taking on challenging roles. For Laura, the focus and mental strength gained through fitness directly translated into her professional achievements.
Morning Movement: Laying the Groundwork for a Winning Day
A major takeaway from Laura’s practice is her dedication to early morning workouts. Waking up at 5 a.m. and training by 5:30, she carves out sacred personal time before life’s demands kick in. This ritual isn’t just about breaking a sweat—it’s a space to think creatively, set intentions, and cultivate a sense of control. “On the days that I do it, I feel in control, confident, and really ready… If I’m not doing it, my patience runs thin, and it always feels like my day just doesn’t go to plan,” Laura explains.
For sales professionals whose schedules can be unpredictable, this kind of intentionality can be essential for maintaining focus and motivation throughout the day.
Managing Stress, Motivation, and Performance
Sales is a high-pressure field, and managing stress is critical. Fitness, for Laura, is the cornerstone that keeps those plates spinning. It’s a stress outlet that also boosts mood, sharpens focus, and builds the momentum that carries into her work and home life. On those days when stress feels overwhelming, exercise acts as a “reset button,” enabling her to show up as her best self.
Most sales professionals know they should prioritize health, but common roadblocks get in the way. Laura highlights three challenges: lack of time, inconsistency, and the wrong mindset. Her guidance is to:
- Make Time: Treat fitness as a non-negotiable meeting. Even with a busy schedule, if it matters, you will find a way.
- Stay Consistent: Don’t overdo it at the start and risk burnout. Start small, maintain the habit, and make it enjoyable.
- Shift Mindset: If possible, hire a personal trainer for accountability and fun. Don’t view exercise as punishment, but as an opportunity for growth.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Fitness for Salespeople
Laura distills her wisdom into actionable tips:
Do:
- Protect your workout time—make it a top priority.
- Find joy in your training—pick activities you enjoy.
- Get professional support for accountability and learning.
Don’t:
- Compare your progress to others; your journey is unique.
- Pursue extreme, unsustainable routines.
- Separate health from career success—they are intrinsically linked.
Self-Care Is a Smart Sales Strategy
Laura’s story is proof positive that investing in fitness doesn’t just change your body; it elevates your mindset and professional capabilities. Fitness doesn’t have to be about chasing perfection. It’s about finding a routine that builds confidence, keeps energy high, and helps you show up as the best version of yourself.
For sales professionals aiming to reach new heights, perhaps the missing piece isn’t just a new strategy—it’s stronger self-care and a commitment to physical wellbeing. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential.
Resources & People Mentioned
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Learn More About Laura Hayton
- What was a pivotal moment in your life or career when you realized the impact that physical fitness can have on professional performance?
The pivotal moment for me was in 2020, during the pandemic. My anxiety was at its peak, my self-esteem was at its lowest, and I felt like I was just trying to keep my head above water — juggling work, being a mum of neurodivergent twins, and the uncertainty of that time.
That’s when I found strength training. What started as a way to cope with anxiety quickly became the turning point in my life. I realised fitness wasn’t just making me stronger physically — it was rewiring my mindset. Instead of my anxiety and self-esteem controlling me, I began to control them.
I started noticing real changes in my work. Setbacks in sales didn’t hit me as hard. I found the discipline and energy to keep showing up, even on the tough days. That was the moment I knew fitness wasn’t just about health — it was a direct driver of professional performance.
- Can you share a specific fitness or wellbeing practice that has consistently helped you perform at a higher level? Please provide an example where it made a noticeable difference.
The most consistent practice for me is strength training early in the morning. I wake up at 5 a.m., and I train around 5:30 before the day starts. That time is sacred — it gives me energy, focus, and even creativity. I often think through challenges or come up with ideas while training, because it’s one of the only times in my day that is completely mine.
A very specific example — I pushed for us to attend and host a conference in Aberdeen that was directly focused on my industry and market. In the past, I would never have dreamed of pitching something like that to the business, let alone leading it. But this time, I had the confidence to not only make the case, but to take full ownership. I worked incredibly hard on it, and on the day, I stood up and hosted the entire event.
Looking back, I truly believe that was a reflection of the habits I’ve built through training — the discipline, the focus, and most importantly, the confidence. Fitness has given me the belief that I can step into challenges that once felt impossible, and that event was a clear example of how those new habits have transformed the way I show up professionally.
- What has been the most challenging period in balancing health and career performance, and what habits or strategies helped you turn it around?
The hardest period has definitely been juggling career with being a full-time mum to neurodivergent twins. Some weeks are unpredictable, sleep can be patchy, and the temptation to let my own health slide has been huge.
The strategy that turned it around for me was building non-negotiables. That meant cleaning up my diet — moving away from high sugar and high carb “quick fixes” — and protecting my morning training routine. It also meant giving myself flexibility: some weeks it’s five sessions, some weeks only three. Instead of guilt, I focused on consistency.
Another huge help was hiring a personal trainer. That gave me accountability, education, and made the process fun. It wasn’t just exercise — it became something I looked forward to. That structure and support helped me balance the chaos of life with the discipline I needed to thrive.
- What are your top three must-have habits, tools, or resources that professionals should use to improve their fitness and overall performance at work?
- Protect your time. Block fitness in your diary like a meeting you cannot cancel. That shift changes everything.
- Strength training. It builds resilience, confidence, and momentum that directly fuels performance in business.
- Support — a PT or community. If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer. If not, join a class or group. The accountability and education are invaluable.
- With the workplace becoming increasingly demanding and technology playing a larger role in our lives, how do you see the relationship between fitness and professional performance evolving in the future? What should people do to stay ahead?
I think the relationship is only going to become more important. Technology is making work faster and more demanding, but also more sedentary. Professionals are expected to be “always on,” which can quickly lead to burnout.
Fitness is the antidote. It’s not just about health anymore, it’s about protecting focus, creativity, and resilience in a world that’s constantly pulling at us. The people who stay ahead will be the ones who treat fitness like part of their career toolkit — just as important as their laptop or phone.
To stay ahead, people need to build sustainable routines they actually enjoy, rather than chasing extremes. That might be early morning training, walking meetings, or strength sessions. The key will be making fitness non-negotiable, so that it fuels performance rather than being squeezed in when there’s time left over.
- What are some simple but powerful fitness or wellbeing practices that most professionals overlook — but could make a big difference if adopted?
- Morning movement. Even 20 minutes of activity before work can transform your energy and focus for the day.
- Diet basics. Many professionals overlook how much sugar and processed food impacts their focus and energy. Cleaning up my diet was life-changing.
- Breathing and reflection. For me, training time doubles as thinking time. Having even a small pocket of the day for yourself — to breathe, reflect, or move — gives you clarity that’s otherwise hard to find in a busy workday.
The truth is, professionals often chase complicated solutions, but the biggest difference comes from the simple, overlooked habits — done consistently.
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