Kairi Ustav, sport-active executive: “Sport teaches the skills needed for good leadership.”
- Guest writer
- Dec 29, 2025
- 3 min read
CEO/member of the board, Värska Kuurortravikeskus
What does sport give you?
Perhaps it would be more accurate to ask what sport does not give me. Most of my close friends are connected through sport, my vacations tend to turn into training camps or competition trips, and the best moments of my day are almost always spent training. Sport is a natural part of my everyday life and my identity.
What does sport change in your life?
I have burned out once in my life – before the opening of V SPA, I worked seven days a week and often late into the evenings. During that period, I did not make time for training, and I believe that the absence of sport was one of the reasons for my burnout. Training is like a recovery break for me: it helps clear my thoughts, release tension, and restore energy. Especially when training outdoors, I can feel my mind and body finding balance. Sport is my therapy.
What would your life be like if you did not exercise?
In the short term, I would certainly have more time, but in the longer run, life would likely be shorter and poorer, both in terms of health and overall joy in life.
Provide examples of the connections and routines you see between leadership and sport.
Sport teaches self-management, time planning, discipline, adaptability, focus, and consistency – all of these skills are also essential in good leadership. Just as in training, leadership also requires the ability to set clear goals and prioritize actions.
What are your favorite sports?
In my youth, I spent ten years in competitive dance. My absolute favorite, however, is alpine skiing – I love the speed, the momentum, and the sense of freedom that comes with racing downhill at 60 km/h. Swimming comes in second, followed by the other triathlon disciplines: cycling and running. What I love about triathlon is precisely the ability to vary my training.
Which sport have you tried but would not do again?
Although many leaders enjoy golf, it does not suit my temperament at all. I prefer more intense workouts where I can push my limits in the anaerobic zone. Perhaps I will try golf again later in life, when the need for pace and adrenaline has eased somewhat.
Which sport do you consciously stay away from?
In my youth, I fractured my jaw while speed skating competitively with a friend. I do go rollerblading occasionally, but I still carry the fear that I might not be able to stop in time and could end up falling painfully again.
What would you say to your 20-year-old self about sport and exercise?
Movement is important, but healthy nutrition and quality sleep are just as essential. Because I commute daily from Tartu to Värska for work, I wake up at six in the morning and go to bed at ten in the evening. I follow these times even on days off. Young people today are more aware of nutrition, but the digital age has disrupted sleep hygiene for many. I would encourage young people to pay more attention to the bigger picture, not just training alone.
How do you find new sporting challenges for yourself?
Most often, I am inspired by friends. I have been involved in triathlon for 15 years, and over that time a large community of friends has formed, inviting me to join all kinds of “crazy” challenges. Competing in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii was my own lifelong dream, which finally came true this year.
Ask one question to the next leader.
Which sporting habit is most important for your success and mental balance, and why?
