Renowned fitness and performance coach for sales leaders, Joshua Hulsebosch, has worked alongside industry giants like Jeb Blount and has designed wellness courses for Sales Gravy University.

In the first episode of our “Fit for Sale” series, Joshua explains the vital connection between physical fitness and sales success, sharing real-life stories and practical strategies that busy sales professionals can implement to boost their energy, resilience, and overall effectiveness.

From sleep routines to stress management and sustainable nutritional habits, Joshua discusses his daily practices that have helped sales leaders overcome challenges like burnout and really get fit for sale!

Outline of This Episode

• [00:00 ] The impact of sleep deprivation on sales.
• [04:28 ] Fitness habits that help you boost energy, focus, and resilience.
• [06:32 ] The role physical health plays in managing stress and maintaining motivation.
• [08:41 ] Overcoming the common fitness and lifestyle challenges that Joshua sees in sales professionals.
• [10:46 ] Recognizing sleep deprivation signs.
• [13:43 ] Your environment shapes healthy habits.
• [17:16 ] Empowering sales through wellness.

Why Physical Health Matters in Sales

Picture a top-performing salesperson—a true “A-player.” Now strip away their discipline, consistent energy, ability to manage stress, and problem-solving skills by depriving them of good sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

Suddenly, that superstar slips to an “F,” struggling with follow-up, motivation, and closing deals. Now flip the script: add daily exercise, clean eating, stress management techniques, and better sleep.

Miraculously, performance rebounds—discipline returns, energy is steady, focus sharpens, and even efficiency improves by 20-30%. These gains come not from new sales tactics, but from foundational health habits.

According to Joshua, the energy, discipline, and mental resilience cultivated through fitness can mean the difference between a struggling seller and a sales superstar.

Game-Changing Habits for Sales Performance

So, what routines set high-achievers apart? For Joshua, maintaining a consistent bedtime is top priority. “The body loves efficiency,” he says. Going to sleep at the same time every night helped him drastically reduce caffeine and sustain focus all day.

This “hidden habit” is a simple yet powerful way to elevate performance.

Other keystone practices include:

• Movement for Motivation: Short bursts of exercise—like jumping rope, even in chilly Canadian weather—can clear mental fog and transform procrastination into productivity.

• Creating Focused Environments: Eliminate distractions with blackout blinds, noise-canceling headphones, and even earplugs to maximize concentration during deep work.

• Daily Exercise for Resilience: Nearly half the time, Joshua admits he doesn’t want to work out—but pushing through builds the mental toughness so crucial in high-pressure sales.

Physical Fitness: The Ultimate Stress Management Tool

Sales is stressful by nature—quarterly targets, rejection, and the rollercoaster of commission-based pay. Joshua argues that exercise isn’t just about looking or feeling good—it’s a proven method for regulating and recovering from stress.

Regular movement improves posture and confidence (noticeable even to colleagues), and research supports that the same brain areas developed through exercise boost willpower and tenacity.

“With exercise, you’re not just building muscle, but the part of your brain responsible for willpower and perseverance,” Joshua explains.

That toughness translates directly to overcoming difficult calls, bouncing back from setbacks, and sustaining motivation through inevitable ups and downs.

The Top Challenges Sales Pros Face—and How to Solve Them

Joshua sees three common health challenges among his sales clients:

Sleep Deprivation: Chronic lack of sleep can cut sales efficiency by up to 30%. Many underestimate the long-term career cost of pushing through fatigue.

Poor Nutrition (Especially Low Protein): Most salespeople don’t get enough protein for recovery and sustained energy. Adding more can have profound effects.

Overambitious Overhauls: Trying to change everything at once rarely sticks. Joshua advises clients to focus on one small, consistent change—build momentum and add more later.

Preventing Burnout

Burnout, Joshua says, isn’t simply the result of stress, but of insufficient recovery. Think of stressors (like tough quarters) and recovery (like quality sleep and downtime) as a balance.

Recovery that matches or surpasses stress leads to growth and development—not collapse. Too little, and you hit rock-bottom burnout, forcing your body—and your career—to a halt. One client lost over 50 pounds in six months, all through small, sustainable habits.

The benefits extended far beyond the scale—energy soared, confidence returned, and he embraced opportunities (like public presentations) that once felt daunting. Health changes didn’t just transform his body, but also rippled through his sales performance and even inspired his team.

Sales isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about the person behind the numbers. Invest in your well-being, and watch your sales soar.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Sales Gravy

Connect with Joshua Hulsebosch

• Joshua Hulsebosch on LinkedIn

Connect With Paul Watts 

• LinkedIn
• Twitter 

 

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