The 7 Pillars of a Sustainable Finish Line: Redefining 26.2 with Mike Laflin

In this episode, Mike Laflin, Founder & CEO of Global Sustainable Sport (GSS) shares insights on measuring sustainability in sports, introducing his seven pillars framework and discussing impact data versus commercial data. We explore how sports organizations can leverage data for greater societal impact and sustainability. Key topics: Seven pillars of sustainable sport Impact data versus commercial data Role of partnerships in sports sustainability Measuring social and environmental impact Sports industry’s contribution to society Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Sports 01:18 Mike Laflin's Journey in Sports and Sustainability 08:08 Understanding Global Sustainable Sport (GSS) 14:59 Impact Data vs. Commercial Data in Sports 19:36 The Health Product vs. Entertainment Product Debate 29:01 Navigating the Grey Data Zone in Sports 32:12 The Social Impact of Marathons 39:34 Purposeful Partnerships in Sports 46:29 Participation as a Health Product 53:54 Engaging Diverse Communities 56:41 Advocating for Clean Air in Sports 01:01:26 Rethinking Climate Impact on Events 01:04:43 Governance and Transparency in Sustainability 01:08:47 Harnessing Individual Voices for Sustainability 01:12:25 Long-term Prosperity Beyond One-Day Events 01:16:14 Greenwashing and Authenticity in Sustainability 01:19:42 The Future of Net Zero in Major Marathons 01:22:32 Sustainability Fees: Responsibility of Participants or Brands? 01:25:09 Setting the Gold Standard in Sustainability Resources Global Sustainability Support (GSS) UN Sport for Climate Action AirAware