GrowthReady Podcast

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 re...

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 returns...

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 Mello...

👤 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 gr...

👤 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 ep...

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 Growth Ready Podcast, Steve Mellor sits down with Tamara Jack...

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 evolvin...

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...

About the Guest: Dr. Denis Cauvier is a globally recognized expert in leadership, personal growth, and executive coaching. With nearly 40 years of experience, he has worked in over 60 countries, authored 26 books (with more on the way), and has been a sought-after keynote speaker and advisor to top executives. Recently named one of the Top Executive Coaches for 2025 by Real Leaders Magazine, Dr. Cauvier is committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve lasting growth. About the Episo...

About the Guest: Collin Henderson is a high-performance coach, speaker, and the founder of Master Your Mindset, where he helps athletes, executives, and leaders build mental toughness and confidence. A former college athlete turned top-performing sales professional, Collin took his passion for mindset coaching and built a platform that trains people in mental conditioning, self-talk, and the power of belief. He’s the author of multiple books and the creator of Quiet Mind, a new co...

About the Guest: Kristin Gutierrez is a sales expert turned entrepreneur who helps coaches, consultants, and course creators package their expertise into high-value offers—without burning out in implementation. After an unexpected layoff from her six-figure VP of Sales role in 2023, she pivoted immediately, landing her first consulting client the same day. Now, she teaches others how to work smarter, not harder, by creating systems that scale. She’s also the author of Be a B...

About the Guest: Craig Coyle is a former Apache helicopter pilot, West Point graduate, and leadership expert. After serving in the military and transitioning to the aerospace industry, Craig saw firsthand the recurring leadership and workforce challenges organizations face. He founded Operation Lead, a company that helps businesses navigate leadership development, workforce engagement, and operational strategy. His mission is to create high-performing cultures that drive sustainable growth. Abou...

About the Guest Cait Donovan is a burnout recovery expert, acupuncturist, speaker, and host of Fried the Burnout Podcast. With a background in Chinese medicine and a deep understanding of resilience, Cait helps high performers recognize, recover from, and prevent burnout by cultivating self-awareness, setting boundaries, and redefining success. About the Episode: In this episode, host Steve Mellor sits down with Cait Donovan to explore the concept of bounce back ability—a broader and more sus...

About the Guest: Kenneth Lo is a two-time world championship track cyclist turned AI strategist and entrepreneur. As the co-founder of Zen Business AI, he helps organizations leverage artificial intelligence to scale operations and optimize growth. However, Kenneth’s most profound journey in recent years has been a deeply personal one - facing an unexpected cancer diagnosis and redefining resilience in the face of uncertainty. About the Episode In this deeply moving episode, Kenneth Lo shares hi...

About the Guest: Glenn Leifheit is a technology leader at Microsoft, a podcast host, and a dedicated mentor. With over 20 years in the tech industry, Glenn has embraced personal and professional growth while helping others navigate their own journeys. He hosts From Stuck to Growth and co-hosts Mentorship Live on LinkedIn, a space dedicated to supporting job seekers. About the Episode: In this episode of GrowthReady, host Steve Mellor sits down with Glenn Leifheit to discuss the power of growt...