If you’ve ever wondered how military discipline translates into entrepreneurial grit—or how to serve a niche market with precision—this episode is your playbook. In today’s episode of From Battle to Business, Katherine Lynch walks us through her inspiring path from Harvard squash athlete to Navy officer, to corporate executive, and finally to founder of Vamos Racquets—a padel, pickleball, and wellness company that's designed to keep you active and connected, which is quickly making waves in the industry.

We discuss everything from building confidence during transitions to the mental aspects of entrepreneurship. Katherine shares hard-earned lessons, family influences, and how staying physically and mentally fit played a central role in shaping her mission-led business.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Katherine’s path from Navy ROTC at Harvard to launching a startup was rooted in service, fitness, and impact.
• Exposure to strong female role models in the military helped her visualize the path forward.
• She founded Vamos Racquets to offer a Range of Activities, including padel, pickleball, wellness, and events, designed to keep you active and connected.
• Community-building is baked into her business model—she actively listens to customers, even redesigning products based on real feedback.
• Entrepreneurship, like military service, is a “team sport”—Katherine emphasizes collaboration and service.
• “Product-market fit” isn’t just for investors—it’s crucial to delivering real value.
• Fitness, mindset, and service are the three pillars she lives by in business and life.
• Women veterans bring unique strengths to the business world: perspective, grit, and integrity.
• Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship required shedding safety nets and embracing calculated risk.
• Katherine still makes time to get on the court—because physical performance fuels mental clarity.

🪖 Step-by-Step: Her Career Pivot from Navy to CEO

1. Serve with Purpose – Naval service taught Katherine about leadership, commitment, and showing up for others.
2. Learn in the Trenches – Corporate roles gave her business acumen, but also exposed a lack of personal alignment.
3. Identify a Niche You Love – She chose pickleball because she loved the sport..
4. Start Lean, Start Real – Vamos Racquets padel, pickleball, wellness, and events designed to keep you active and connected.
5. Build with Feedback – Customer input drives product iteration. Listening beats assuming.
6. Stay Fit, Stay Grounded – She practices what she preaches—performance starts with health.

💬 Memorable Quotes

“Athletics taught me how to win, how to lose, and how to show up—those lessons never left me.”

“I realized I wanted to be in service—not just in uniform, but in business too.”

“There’s this myth that you have to choose between business and fulfillment. You don’t.”

“A lot of women veterans don’t realize how ready they are to lead. The skills are already there.”

“Starting a business is like stepping onto the court—you don’t need perfection, you need to play.”

🔧 Resources Mentioned

• Vamos Racquets – Katherine’s company offering stylish, performance-driven pickleball paddles and gear. Designed for active lifestyles with premium materials and aesthetics.
• Harvard Navy ROTC – The military program that helped launch her leadership foundation.
• Pickleball – Not just a sport, but a growing cultural movement that inspired her business model.

💡 Final Thought from Dean

If you’re a veteran—or know one—who’s feeling stuck in the corporate hamster wheel, take a page from Katherine’s playbook. She didn’t wait for permission to start. She saw a problem, solved it, and stayed grounded in her values. Remember, you don’t have to choose between profit and purpose. They can be your doubles partner.

Connect with Katherine Lynch

Website: https://www.vamosracquets.com/

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint

https://www.deanvandyke.com

https://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/

https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/

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