GrowthReady Podcast

Coach Steve Mellor
  • 5.0 (66)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What does it mean to be ready to pursue growth? Should we pursue growth when we don't feel ready? And how do we achieve optimal growth by readying ourselves for everything that comes with it? The Growth Ready Podcast seeks to form a true appreciation for all facets of the growth process as we learn from high performers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Hosted by Steve Mellor, a seasoned high-performance executive coach and former US Olympic swim coach, each episode explores the pivotal moments that define true growth and the work that went into getting ready for it. Through candid conversation and detailed personal accounts, guests share their unique experiences of overcoming challenges, embracing transformation, and what it takes to get ready for every step of their growth journey.

  1. Episode 314: Who Are You When No One’s Watching? with Joe Smarro

    1D AGO

    Episode 314: Who Are You When No One’s Watching? with Joe Smarro

    What does it really mean to be Growth Ready? In this episode, Steve Mellor sits down with Joe Smarro for a deeply honest conversation about identity, self-awareness, and the cost of living for everyone else. Joe shares why growth starts with curiosity, why so much of our identity is inherited rather than chosen, and why external validation keeps so many high-performers stuck. Together, they explore the tension between the person we present to the world and the person we sit with in private, and how closing that gap can transform the way we lead, live, and grow. About the guest: Joe Smarro is a speaker, trainer, former Marine, and former police officer who now leads SolutionPoint+, where he and his team teach human behavior, de-escalation, wellness, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Key takeaways: What it means to be “Growth Ready”Curiosity, self-awareness, and introspectionIdentity vs. titles and external validationThe “representative self” vs. the private selfWhy high-performers get stuck in fear and safetyThe cost of denying yourselfBoundaries, selfishness, and self-worthTherapy, healing, and emotional intelligenceThe obituary exercise and legacyAligning your life with what matters mostConnect with Joe Smarro SolutionPoint+ websiteJoe Smarro’s books on AmazonErnie & Joe: Crisis Cops on HBOInstagramLinkedInFacebookSend us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    58 min
  2. Episode 313: Own the Room in Your Next High-Stakes Moment even If You Don’t Feel Ready w/ Samara Bay

    APR 1

    Episode 313: Own the Room in Your Next High-Stakes Moment even If You Don’t Feel Ready w/ Samara Bay

    In this episode, Steve sits down with Samara Bay to unpack what it really means to be “ready” when the stakes are high. Together, they explore the connection between body, mind, and communication—and why so many high-performers flatten their presence by trying to hide fear instead of working with it. Samara explains how public speaking is really about power, permission, and presence. She shares why “readiness” is more of a body-based practice than a mental state, how love-based thinking can shift us out of fight-or-flight, and why the warm-up before any important conversation may be the real work. Key Takeaways: Why readiness is more physical than mentalThe role of body awareness in communicationPublic speaking as a reflection of power and self-trustHow fear creates a flattened version of usWhy naming what’s happening in the room builds trustThe shift from fear-based thinking to love-based communicationSocial evaluative threat and the modern version of fight-or-flightWhy context matters in every communication momentThe importance of imagination, curiosity, and play in leadershipWhy warm-ups and rituals matter before big momentsMissed opportunity as the hidden cost of poor communicationLinks and Resources Mentioned Permission Inc. — permissioninc.coPermissionaries newsletter — available via Samara’s websitePermission to Speak by Samara BayUpcoming TEDx talk — Samara said it will be shared on her website once releasedSend us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    58 min
  3. Episode 312: Growth Is What You Learn From the Leap w/ Megan Torrance - Readiness, AI, and Leadership

    MAR 25

    Episode 312: Growth Is What You Learn From the Leap w/ Megan Torrance - Readiness, AI, and Leadership

    About the guest: Megan Torrance is a workplace learning and development leader who helps organizations create better systems for growth, performance, and skill development. In this conversation, she brings together practical insight from her work in learning design, her perspective on AI as an augmentation tool, and her own lived experience as an athlete, coach-supported leader, and endurance hiker. About the episode: In this episode, Steve sits down with Megan Torrance to unpack what it really means to be growth ready. Megan reframes growth as what we learn from a leap, not just the leap itself, and explains why readiness is less about feeling fully prepared and more about having the mindset, tools, support, and willingness to step into the next challenge anyway. Megan shares how real growth happens when people are clear on the goal, supported with the right systems, and willing to reflect in the middle of discomfort. Key topics and themes discussed What “growth ready” really meansWhy growth comes from learning through the leapThe difference between being a teacher and teachingWhy workplace learning should focus on performance, not completionReflection as a critical part of the learning loopThe role of AI in personalized learning and leadership developmentReadiness, uncertainty, and the “gulp” before the next challengeBuilding systems that make the next right action easierCuriosity as a driver of long-term growthExpanding capacity inside and outside of workLessons from ice hockey, coaching, and endurance hikingResources mentioned Megan Torrance on LinkedInTorrance Learning — torrancelearning.comAI Implementation Guide for L&D by Megan TorranceKhan AcademyMagicSchoolSend us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    47 min
  4. Episode 311: Build a High-Trust Team - Even If Growth Is Testing Your Culture w/ Meghan Popoleo

    MAR 18

    Episode 311: Build a High-Trust Team - Even If Growth Is Testing Your Culture w/ Meghan Popoleo

    About the guest: Meghan Popoleo is the President of The O’Connor Group, where she has spent the last decade helping organizations grow through strong people strategy, culture, and leadership. She came into the business from the nonprofit world, openly admits she did not start out loving HR, and has grown into a values-driven leader known for vulnerability, execution, collaboration, and people-first leadership. About the episode: In this conversation, Steve sits down with Meghan to unpack what it really means to be “growth ready.” Megan shares why vulnerability is not weakness, but a leadership advantage, especially when you’re scaling a company, building culture, navigating succession, leading hard conversations, and raising a family at the same time. For founders, executives, and high-performers, this episode is a practical reminder that sustainable growth starts with values, trust, and the courage to ask for help. Key Takeaways: Why vulnerability is essential for personal and professional growthMegan’s journey from nonprofit leadership into HR and people operationsThe partnership between Megan and founder Marsha O’ConnorHow hard conversations strengthen leadership tandemsProtecting company culture during growthWhy “teammate” matters more than “employee”Women in leadership, motherhood, and asking for helpThe tension between saying yes, learning fast, and avoiding overwhelmBuilding new service lines without losing core valuesWhy relationships are a true growth leverCreating communities that support female leaders and entrepreneursLinks and resources mentioned: The O’Connor Group: www.tocgrp.comThe O’Connor Group on LinkedIn57th Street Partners Shadow HerSend us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    52 min
  5. Episode 310: Lead With Yes - Authenticity, Reinvention, and Doing Work That Actually Fits w/ Raymond Lee

    MAR 11

    Episode 310: Lead With Yes - Authenticity, Reinvention, and Doing Work That Actually Fits w/ Raymond Lee

    About the Guest: Raymond Lee is the founder of CareerMinds, a virtual outplacement and leadership development company he started in 2008. After years of building the business, Raymond went through a deep season of self-reflection in late 2021 that reshaped how he saw leadership, identity, and growth. He later sold CareerMinds and stepped into a new chapter with even greater clarity around impact, authenticity, and helping people find work that truly aligns with who they are. He’s also the host of the Clocking Out podcast and author of the book Clocking Out. About the Episode: In this conversation, Steve Mellor sits down with Raymond Lee for a powerful discussion on what it really means to be growth ready. Raymond shares why authenticity became the turning point in his life, how curiosity helped him move through fear, and why so many high-performers stay stuck in careers that look successful on the outside but feel misaligned on the inside. Key Takeaways: What “growth ready” means through the lens of authenticityWhy authenticity builds trust, connection, and leadership impactRaymond’s identity shift in December 2021Curiosity as a companion to authentic growthFear of change vs. the pain of staying the sameThe story behind the Clocking Out podcastRaymond’s mother’s career change into archaeology at age 50Why meaningful change starts with small steps“Lead with yes” as a practical mindset for reinventionAsking better questions: What excites me? What brings value?Using your story to help others find their true pathResources: CareerMindsClocking Out podcastClocking Out book by Raymond LeeFinding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David KesslerRaymond Lee on LinkedInSend us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    55 min
  6. Episode 309: Live With More Clarity Even When Life Gets Hard w/ Alison Hadden

    MAR 6

    Episode 309: Live With More Clarity Even When Life Gets Hard w/ Alison Hadden

    This special archive episode takes us back to summer 2020, when Steve Mellor interviewed Alison Hadden for his Women Changing the World series. What he only learned afterward was that Alison had found out just one day earlier that her cancer had returned and was terminal. She never mentioned it during the conversation. Instead, she spoke with clarity, strength, and intention about leadership, resilience, and living like there is no time to waste. Alison passed away in January 2022, but her message continues to inspire anyone seeking to live with more purpose, courage, and gratitude. About the Guest: Alison Hadden was a sales and marketing leader, athlete, and founder of the No Time to Waste Project. She built her career at high-growth companies including Active, Glassdoor, and Mindbody, and became known for her energy, leadership, and purpose-driven approach to life. After facing cancer, she turned her experience into a mission to help others live with greater gratitude, joy, and urgency. About the Episode Steve revisits a conversation first released when the podcast was still called Career Competitor. Part of the Women Changing the World series, this interview stands out for Alison’s remarkable presence and perspective in the face of devastating news. Rather than focusing on her diagnosis, Alison shared a message that still resonates: live with intention, lead with courage, and don’t waste time on what doesn’t matter. Key Takeaways: Leadership through adversityThe athlete mindset in business and lifeGrit, resilience, and perspectiveCancer, identity, and transformationGratitude, joy, and human connectionLiving with urgency and intentionLinks and Resources No Time to Waste Projectnotimetowasteproject.comSend us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    40 min
  7. Episode 308: COACHES CORNER: Raise Your Floor, Not Just Your Goals w/ Steve Mellor

    FEB 25

    Episode 308: COACHES CORNER: Raise Your Floor, Not Just Your Goals w/ Steve Mellor

    Most high performers chase ceilings: bigger goals, more revenue, bigger stages. Steve argues that what actually determines whether you feel steady in the moments that matter is your floor, your daily standards, mindset, and behaviors when no one is watching. He breaks down how “growth resistance” shows up subtly (protecting identity, reputation, competence), and why the path forward isn’t hype or intensity… it’s alignment. Key takeaways: Goals as “ceilings” vs. standards as your “floor”Why pressure exposes weak foundations (even when you look prepared)Effort vs. standards: the difference between looking ready and being ready“Growth resistant” behavior: protecting identity after failureGrowth resilience: treating failure as data and adjusting standardsMicrosoft / Satya Nadella “learn-it-all vs know-it-all” as a standards shiftAlignment over intensity: raising your floor to match rising stakesReflection prompt: “What is my floor right now—and is it built for what I’m pursuing?”Links & resources mentioned Satya Nadella / Microsoft culture shift (learn-it-alls vs know-it-alls) Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    14 min
  8. Episode 307: Stop Managing Time. Start Managing Energy with Clint Rahe

    FEB 18

    Episode 307: Stop Managing Time. Start Managing Energy with Clint Rahe

    If you’re a high performer, leader, or founder… chances are your calendar is stacked, your brain is overloaded, and you’re trying to ‘push through’ like that’s the job. Today’s guest, Clint Rahe, former Royal Air Force PTI turned executive coach and author of The Cognitive Athleteworks with C-suite leaders who should be in their peak years… but instead are burnt out, exhausted, and running on empty. In this episode, you’ll learn how to sustain high performance without paying for it with your health, your focus, or your family. We’re breaking down cognitive periodizationhow to create seasons in business how to use micro-recovery to reduce stress between meetings, how to protect deep work, and how to set boundaries that actually stick. Key takeaways -Knowledge workers as cognitive athletes (and why overload kills learning) -Burnout at the top: why leaders hit their “peak years” exhausted -Cognitive periodization: creating “seasons” in business where none exist -Recovery that actually works (micro-breaks, active recovery, energy resets) -The “letdown effect” (why people get sick right after pressure ends) -Energy management vs. time management -Saying no strategically (deep work vs shallow work) -Practical leadership habits: 15-minute daily planning + end-of-day review -Meeting hygiene: 25-min meetings, breaks, and better transitions -Circadian rhythms + scheduling work that fits your energy Links & resources mentioned -Clint’s website: thecognitiveathlete.com.au -Clint on LinkedIn (best place to connect) -Clint’s weekly newsletter (Wednesdays) Clint’s podcast (short episodes, Mondays) -Book: The Cognitive Athlete (US availability mentioned as Feb 27 on Amazon) -Microsoft Human Factors Lab research mentioned (EEG + breaks between meetings) -Amazon meeting practice referenced (reading memo at start) #GrowthReady #HighPerformance #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoach #BurnoutRecovery #ProductivityHacks  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Connect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

    50 min
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5
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About

What does it mean to be ready to pursue growth? Should we pursue growth when we don't feel ready? And how do we achieve optimal growth by readying ourselves for everything that comes with it? The Growth Ready Podcast seeks to form a true appreciation for all facets of the growth process as we learn from high performers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Hosted by Steve Mellor, a seasoned high-performance executive coach and former US Olympic swim coach, each episode explores the pivotal moments that define true growth and the work that went into getting ready for it. Through candid conversation and detailed personal accounts, guests share their unique experiences of overcoming challenges, embracing transformation, and what it takes to get ready for every step of their growth journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Coach Steve Mellor
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GrowthReady Podcast
  • Show Website
    GrowthReady Podcast