GrowthReady Podcast

Too many leaders hit a wall trading time for money, playing it safe, or letting fear hold them back. Aaron Golub, legally blind, former D1 athlete, NFL free agent, and now speaker-turned-SaaS founder, didn’t let obstacles stop him. In this episode, you’ll learn how adaptability, trust, and self-awareness helped him move from keynote stages to co-founding Precision Search, a SaaS business with his sister. About the Guest: Aaron is the first legally blind Division I athlete to play football, a fo...

About the Guest: Dr. Heather Hodges is an organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, speed painter, and author of Heart Work: How to Lead People, Build Culture, and Unleash Creativity in Home Care. After leaving a corporate VP role, she followed her calling to help leaders unlock creativity and lead with courage. Heather’s unique approach blends research, storytelling, and art to inspire audiences to embrace failure, find their potential, and lead with heart. About the Episode: In this episo...

About the Guest: Maritza McClendon is an Olympic silver medalist, speaker, and corporate leader currently serving in Communications and Community Affairs at Carter’s. Beyond her remarkable swimming career, Maritza has dedicated herself to inspiring others through speaking, leadership, and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion. Today, she continues to build her orbit, learning from mentors, influencing others, and preparing to step into her next chapter as both a professional speaker and aspir...

About the Guest: Scott Stirrett is the founder of Venture for Canada (VFC), an organization that has supported over 10,000 young professionals in launching their careers. He is also the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a book that equips people of all ages to embrace change and uncertainty as a superpower instead of fearing it. Scott’s work has raised more than $80 million to empower Canada’s future leaders, and he’s passionate about helping people strengthen their "risk-taking muscles" to t...

About the Episode In this episode of The Growth Ready Podcast: Coaches Corner, host Steve Mellor challenges the common misconceptions about coaching. Using the legendary story of Coach Jim Valvano and NC State’s 1983 championship run, Steve illustrates that true coaching isn’t about control, shouting, or rigid direction, it’s about facilitation, curiosity, and empowerment. Listeners will discover why the best coaches (on the court, in the boardroom, or in life) create environments for self-di...

About the Guest: Elia Blankenship is a consulting leader at RSM specializing in transformation work for financial institutions and beyond. With a background in management, organizational change, and a deep commitment to emotional intelligence, Elia challenges the traditional “consultant tells, client does” approach. Instead, she builds partnerships rooted in listening, candor, and collaboration, empowering clients to own their growth journey. She’s also a champion for automation and AI adoption ...

About the Guest: Tracy Clark is a leadership coach, former managing partner of an international oil & gas events business, and a passionate advocate for helping founders and leaders break through invisible limits. After scaling her company 450% and exiting for eight figures, Tracy shifted her focus to guiding others in discovering their own transformative power through deep inner work, curiosity, and radical experimentation. About the Episode: In this eye-opening conversation, Steve Mellor is j...

About the Guest: Lori Melancon is the CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. A driven, candid, and deeply passionate leader, Lori is known for her commitment to systemic change, economic development, and building a more connected and resilient Baton Rouge. Her leadership style blends transparency, emotional intelligence, and a deep belief in community-driven progress. Episode Summary: Steve Mellor sits down with Lori Melancon to explore what it means to be "growth ready" as both an individual and...

About the Guest: Lex Gillette is a world-renowned Paralympic track and field athlete, speaker, and author. Despite losing his sight at age 8, Lex has built a career marked by world records, Paralympic medals, and a powerful mission to teach others how to "see" their potential. His message centers on leadership, resilience, and unlocking excellence in life’s everyday moments. About the Episode: In this inspiring conversation, Steve Mellor welcomes back Lex Gillette for a deep dive into what it r...

About the Guest: Amanda Stern is a coach, writer, speaker, and expert in the practice of journaling as a tool for self-discovery, emotional clarity, and intentional living. A lifelong learner and former librarian, Amanda has built a unique approach to helping others show up more fully in their lives. She blends soft skills like presence and empathy with a bold curiosity about how we grow, adapt, and serve others... while staying grounded in our own values. About the Episode: Amanda Stern return...

About the Episode: In this special milestone episode, Steve Mellor reflects on seven years of podcasting and what’s kept him going through every high and low. He shares a deeply personal story of a swimmer he once coached, Timmy and how rediscovering his "why" led him back to joy and forward to the Olympic trials. Steve also invites listeners to ask themselves the big question: Why did you start? This episode is a timely and powerful reminder to reconnect with the spark that first inspired yo...

About the Guest: Gene Rice is a seasoned executive recruiter, entrepreneur, and author of the bestselling book “From Grad to Grown-Up.” With a rich career that spans from owning rock clubs to founding one of the top executive search firms in the U.S., Gene is dedicated to helping young professionals and leaders find clarity, passion, and purpose in their careers. He also co-founded the "Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation," supporting youth in pursuing their passions regardless of financial ...

About the Guest Larry Long Jr. is a global keynote speaker, sales coach, author, and founder of LLJR Enterprises. Known for his infectious energy and motivational message, Larry inspires professionals around the world to rediscover their greatness and live with purpose. A former athlete turned corporate sales leader, Larry now helps others step into their power with clarity, courage, and community. About the Episode In this high-energy and heart-filled conversation, Larry Long Jr. returns to ...

About the Guest: Amy Boone Thompson is the CEO and Owner of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, a trailblazer in the wellness industry, and Chair of World Active. With over two decades of experience in fitness leadership, Amy has worn every hat, from personal trainer to executive leader. Her mission is rooted in making health and movement accessible to all, and she leads with authenticity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, host Steve Mell...

👤 Guest Bio: Margaret Watts Romney is a leadership communication coach, TEDx speaker coach, and author of The Speakership is Leadership. With a rich background in public speaking, neurology, and purposeful leadership, Margaret empowers individuals to find their voice, connect authentically with audiences, and lead through clarity and emotional intelligence. Her unique approach helps speakers of all levels become impactful communicators—from the TEDx stage to daily conversations. 📘 Episode Summa...

👤 About the Guest: Julio Melara is a seasoned CEO, publisher, entrepreneur, and author with a deep passion for personal development and leadership. With a track record of transforming adversity into opportunity, Julio brings decades of experience in business, publishing, and motivational speaking. He’s the publisher of Business Report and the author of several impactful books, including It Only Takes Everything You’ve Got. Julio lives what he teaches, and in this episode, he shares why being gro...

👤 Guest Bio: Ric Moylan is a high-performance coach, speaker, and founder of Charity Boxing Nights and Reset Summit. With a background in elite boxing and martial arts, Ric brings a unique lens to personal and professional growth, bridging lessons from combat sports into boardrooms, businesses, and everyday life. His coaching philosophy is grounded in discipline, purpose, and the belief that real growth comes from doing the hard, boring stuff, consistently. 🎧 Episode Summary: In this powerful e...

About the Guest: Debra Bradley is a seasoned fractional CFO and innovation strategist who specializes in guiding companies through transformative growth. With a career steeped in finance, risk assessment, and technological adoption, Debra is known for her bold yet calculated approach to change. Whether it's advising on AI implementation or recalibrating how businesses assess risk, she brings a unique perspective shaped by experience, curiosity, and a fearless attitude toward growth and disruptio...

About the Guest: Tamara “Tam” Jackson is a business strategist, speaker, and host of The Beacon Show. With two decades of corporate experience and a passion for empowering faith-driven leaders, Tam helps others navigate purpose, calling, and impact. Her work bridges the gap between faith and business, showing that success in the marketplace can also be deeply meaningful and mission-driven. Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of GrowthReady Podcast, Steve Mellor sits down with Tamara Jacks...

About the Guest: John Fareed is the Global Chairman of Horwath HTL, the world's largest and most established hotel, tourism, and leisure advisory firm. But before becoming a leader in global hospitality consulting, John was a U.S. Marine, a professional magician, and a young radio DJ. With a career marked by bold pivots and relentless curiosity, John’s story is a masterclass in personal branding, adaptability, and the power of saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities. He is also the author of...

About the Guest: Dr. Chris Fuzie is an educator, leadership expert, and the President of the National Leaderology Association. With a doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership and 30 years of experience as a police officer, Dr. Fuzie brings a rare blend of real-world leadership, academic rigor, and an innovative approach to organizational growth. His latest book, Liminal Space, challenges traditional views of leadership and followership, making him a perfect guide for today's evolvi...

About the Guest: Chris Vasami is a former All-American baseball player turned elite performance coach and keynote speaker. With years of experience mentoring athletes, executives, and high-performing teams, Chris helps people build mental and physical resilience, navigate failure, and align daily actions with long-term goals. His personal journey, including an ongoing battle with cancer, adds depth and realness to his message about discipline, mindset, and showing up when it counts. About the E...

About the Guest: Jason Moss is a high-performance coach and business strategist who specializes in helping entrepreneurs scale their online businesses with clarity, confidence, and purpose. With over a decade of experience and having invested more than $200,000 in his own personal development, Jason brings a unique blend of real-world results and deep inner transformation. His insights into self-awareness, radical ownership, and sustainable motivation make him a powerful voice for growth-mind...

👤 About the Guest: Philippe Bouissou is a seasoned entrepreneur, growth expert, and former Apple executive who worked directly with Steve Jobs. With a PhD in physics and over 35 years of experience across 23 boards, Philippe is the founder of Blue Dots Partners and author of the critically acclaimed book Aligning the Dots. He specializes in helping businesses unlock their full growth potential through a unique, data-driven framework he calls the A4 Precision Alignment methodology. 🎧 About the...