How Two Relationships Built a Performance Coach with Carla Fowler

What if middle school endurance training and PhD-level strategic thinking could revolutionize executive coaching?

In this episode, Carla Fowler, founder of THAXA and executive coaching expert, shares her unconventional journey from MD/PhD student to surgical resident to performance science coach. Through two pivotal relationships: a demanding outdoor education teacher and a world-class immunology researcher. Carla discovered how physical endurance and strategic thinking form the foundation of extraordinary leadership. Her mission? Helping 50-60 executives at a time accelerate toward their goals using evidence-based performance science while freeing up their mental bandwidth to focus on what matters most.

Carla reflects on how these mentors arrived at critical moments in her development and why she believes performance science, not generic leadership advice, is the key to helping leaders achieve breakthrough results.

[00:04:00] What THAXA Does

• THAXA = Executive coaching firm centered on performance science

• Helps leaders and executives improve results, impact, and leadership

• Uses rigorous scientific foundation from multiple disciplines

• Works with 50-60 leaders at a time across diverse industries

• Every approach is individualized. No cookie-cutter solutions

[00:04:00] The Unconventional Path

• Started career in medicine: MD/PhD program at University of Washington

• Trained to become an academic physician blending clinical work and research

• Matched to general surgery residency after graduating

• Made the hard pivot: left surgery after one year to pursue passion for performance

• 12 years building a coaching practice that merges science with practical application

[00:04:00] The Science Nerd Meets Impact

• Always fascinated by high performance since fifth grade

• Loved surgery for its hands-on + decision-making combination

• Realized coaching could create exponential impact: improve one leader, impact everyone they lead

• Performance science is broad and deep enough to meet each client's unique needs

• Blends everything from business strategy to physiology and decision-making

[00:16:40] The Power of Mental Clarity

• Example: Multi-hour focus sessions to help leaders get crystal clear on goals

• One client shared their clar