Thirty years after a dream eluded her, swimmer Diana Nyad is out to show the world what commitment looks like. More than 90 miles of open ocean lies between Cuba and South Florida. For Diana Nyad, that stretch of shark-infested water equates to about 65 continuous hours of solitude, if all goes well—no rest, no physical contact with another person, no sound or movement except for the rhythmic kick-stroke-breathe, kick-stroke-breathe....

Jeff Gordon has applied to life much of what he’s learned in racing — and believes the elements required for success in both are not that different. In the final minutes of last year’s Subway Fresh Fit 600 in Phoenix, Jeff Gordon was in the lead and poised to win the race with three laps to go. As he pulled into the pit for his final stop, his crew bounded over the wall, replacing all four tires and refueling...

Cal Ripken Jr. committed to being better at his craft. Every day. For two decades. Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means. Albert Einstein If Albert Einstein was right, Cal Ripken should have been a CEO or politician rather than a shortstop,because Ripken led by example over and over… and over again.

How Arnold Palmer became the richest athlete in the world. Sitting in his unpretentious Orlando office, not a trophy in sight, Arnold Palmer bounced from answering calls about a clothing deal in Japan to e-mail about a golf course in Dubai to interviews with reporters from across the United States. All the while, a most inappropriately named yellow Labrador sat quietly at his feet. Between million-dollar decisions,...