Before he spends the day running the conglomerate that owns Westin, Sheraton, and W Hotels, he starts with a long run: 10 miles a day, beginning at 6 a.m.
"Van Paasschen credits running with much of his management style. Business, he says, is about conquering personal fears, setting high goals for yourself and breaking barriers, which in many ways meshes with Starwood's culture," wrote Barbara De Lollis at USA Today.
He also does triathlons — 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling, and a 26.2-mile run — without a problem.
The runs help him get a bearing of the many locations his work takes him.
"A run in the morning is sometimes the best way to see a place right, particularly if the rest of your day is booked," he says. "You end up in some places you wouldn't expect."