Grappling Growth

Grappling Growth

By Joe TestouriBusiness
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Grappling Growth episodes

  • #094: Quit Now, Bet on Your Future. From Corporate Consulting to Acquiring a Business - Toby Henry

    In this episode, we sit down with Toby Henry, a leader driven by one mission: helping organisations change from the inside out.

    Toby shares his journey from corporate consulting to acquiring and running a business, and what truly shifts when you move from advising transformation to owning the responsibility for it. We explore why real change isn’t driven by frameworks or technology alone—but by people, culture, and the courage to adapt quickly.

    From developing leaders and teams to embracing technology without losing human connection, Toby breaks down what sustainable transformation actually looks like inside modern organisations. This conversation is packed with honest lessons on growth, ownership, and why the future belongs to companies that invest deeply in their people.

    If you’re navigating change, considering an acquisition, or leading transformation in an AI-driven world, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and progress.


    Tune in and discover what it really takes to build a culture that evolves—and lasts.EP Guest: Toby Henry

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-henry-79498b13/
    Website: http://www.acceleratorsolutions.com

    38 min
  • LIVE EP#093: Lessons From Surviving Cancer, Finding Purpose in Work with AI - Tia Lancaster

    In this powerful and deeply human episode of the podcast, we sit down with Tia Lancaster to unpack a journey that reshaped her life, her work, and her sense of purpose.

    After surviving cancer, Tia was forced to confront questions many of us avoid: What actually matters? How do you spend your energy? And what kind of work is truly worth doing? That experience became a catalyst—not just for healing, but for clarity.

    In our conversation, Tia shares the lessons cancer taught her about resilience, perspective, and intentional living, and how those lessons now guide the way she approaches work, leadership, and technology. We explore how AI can be used as a tool for alignment rather than burnout, helping people reclaim time, focus on meaningful contribution, and build careers that support life—not consume it.

    This episode is about more than business or technology. It’s about survival, purpose, and designing work that reflects what truly matters.

    If you’re navigating change, rethinking your priorities, or searching for meaning in the work you do, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.EP Guest: Tia Lancaster

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-lancaster-b14655122/
    Website: revaluate180.com

    43 min
  • #092: Leading with Human Intelligence in an AI World Bryon Morrison

    In this episode of the Grappling Growth Podcast, we sit down with Bryon Morrison — creator and host of the Leaders List Show, and a seasoned operator with over 25 years of experience across marketing, digital transformation, and executive leadership.

    As the Co-Founder and CEO of Proxxy, Bryon helps SMBs prepare for exits, build scalable operating systems, and grow without descending into chaos. But today, he brings something even more valuable:

    Bryon breaks down:

    • Why the most effective leaders of the next decade will be the ones who stay deeply human

    • How AI can enhance decision-making without replacing intuition, empathy, or communication

    • The biggest operational mistakes SMBs make when scaling — and how to fix them early

    • Why clarity, rhythm, and systems separate thriving companies from overwhelmed ones

    • The mindset shifts leaders need to adapt, stay relevant, and inspire their teams

    If you’re a founder, operator, or SMB leader looking to grow with clarity—not chaos—this conversation is a must-listen. Bryon brings sharp insight, practical frameworks, and a refreshingly honest view of leadership in a rapidly evolving world.

    Tune in for an episode that will challenge how you think, work, and lead.

    A blueprint for leading with human intelligence in an AI-driven world.

    EP Guest: Bryon Morrison

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryonmorrison/
    Website: proxxy.com
    Phone Number: +12149122171
    Email: [email protected]

    32 min
  • #091: Olympic Gold Medalist Shares Mental Game Advice - Lanny Basshan

    In this episode of the Grappling Growth Podcast, we sit down with Lanny Bassham — Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion, and Founder & CEO of Mental Management Systems. Known as one of the most influential mental coaches in the world, Lanny has helped elite performers across business, sports, military, and the arts master the inner game that drives consistent success.

    Lanny shares the untold story behind his Olympic journey, the breakthrough that transformed him from a talented athlete into a champion, and the mental frameworks he developed that now power top performers globally. From managing pressure to defeating self-doubt, to training your mind to execute with confidence on command, this conversation is a masterclass on peak performance.

    If you want to learn how champions think — and how to apply those same principles to your life, career, or business — this episode is for you.

    Tune in and get a rare look into the mental playbook of an Olympic legend.

    EP Guest: Lanny Basshan
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanny-bassham-017a748/
    Website: http://www.mentalmanagement.com
    Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winning-Mind-Lanny-R-Bassham/dp/0709093780

    40 min
  • #090: The $5M Business Acquisition Playbook Breakdown - Mark Fleming

    In this episode of the Grappling Growth Podcast, Joe sits down with Mark Fleming, CFA, FRM — an elite financial strategist, seasoned investor, and the mind behind multiple successful business acquisitions.

    Mark pulls back the curtain on how small business buyers can realistically acquire, scale, and exit companies worth $5M+, even without deep pockets or decades of experience.


    Inside this episode, Mark shares:

    🔹 The exact framework he uses to evaluate acquisition targets🔹 How to structure deals creatively (even when capital is limited)🔹 The hidden red flags most first-time buyers never see🔹 Why risk management matters more than revenue🔹 What separates successful operators from armchair entrepreneurs🔹 The mindset shift you must adopt before buying your first business

    Mark’s journey is packed with discipline, strategic thinking, and hard-earned wisdom — shaped by years in finance, risk management, and real-world dealmaking.

    If you’ve ever considered acquiring a business, scaling a portfolio, or learning how real operators think, this is a masterclass you won’t want to miss.

    Tune in and take notes. This is the $5M Acquisition Playbook—broken down step by step.

    EP Guest: Mark Fleming
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mflemingcfa/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@owneractions
    Website: http://www.owneractions.com

    39 min
  • #089: Make Your Business 1-of-1, Businesses Are Losing Their Identity - Chris Telfer

    In this episode, we sit down with Chris Telfer, a small business owner with a bold message for today’s entrepreneurs: your business is losing its identity — and it’s costing you more than you think.

    Chris shares his journey of building a truly 1-of-1 business, one that doesn’t follow trends, copy competitors, or blend into the noise. Instead, he breaks down the mindset and practices that helped him carve out a brand that people remember, trust, and stay loyal to.

    From the dangers of chasing what everyone else is doing, to the discipline required to stay original in a copy-and-paste world, this episode is a wake-up call for any founder who’s starting to feel like their business is drifting away from its core.

    If you’re ready to reclaim your identity, differentiate with intention, and build something unmistakably yours, this conversation with Chris Telfer will hit home.

    Tune in — your business depends on it.

    EP Guest: Chris Telfer
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctelfer/
    Website: http://www.enlightentraining.org

    36 min
  • #088: She Left Cambridge University & The Police. What She Learned Building A Business Will Surprise You - Ellie Pyemont

    In this new episode of the Grappling Growth Podcast, Joe sits down with Ellie Pyemont, a woman whose story defies convention. From walking away from Cambridge University and a career in law enforcement, Ellie chose an entirely new path—building a business that would challenge everything she thought she knew about success, purpose, and freedom.


    She opens up about:
    -The moment she realized prestige wasn’t the same as fulfillment
    -The lessons entrepreneurship taught her that Cambridge never could

    -Why walking away from “security” was the best decision she ever made


    This is a raw, thought-provoking conversation about courage, reinvention, and what it really means to build a life that’s yours.


    EP Guest: Ellie Pyemont

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliepyemont/
    Website: http://www.enlightentraining.org

    44 min
  • #087: Make Your Presentations 1,069% More Memorable - Jon Billett

    What makes a story stick — the kind that moves people, shapes brands, and transforms communication?

    In this new episode of The Grappling Growth Podcast, we sit down with Jon Billett, the creator of StoryQuadrant, who has spent years helping leaders and teams master the art of storytelling that leaves a lasting mark.

    From running private workshops and delivering powerful keynotes to hosting public masterclasses, Jon shares his frameworks and real-world insights on how to make your presentations 1,069% more memorable — and why great storytelling isn’t about performance, but connection.

    If you’ve ever wanted to turn data into emotion, slides into stories, and moments into memories — this episode is your playbook.

    EP Guest: Jon Billett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbillett/
    Website (Book on Site): https://www.storyquadrant.com/

    41 min
  • #086: Prison at 18 to Multi Millionaire? Tommy Breedlove

    In this new episode of Grappling Growth, Joe sits down with Tommy Breedlove — keynote speaker, community builder, and Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of "Legendary" book.

    Tommy’s story is nothing short of transformational — from serving time in prison at 18 to becoming a multi-millionaire, respected leader, and voice for purpose-driven success. He opens up about the turning points that reshaped his mindset, the power of self-leadership, and what it truly takes to build a legendary life beyond wealth and titles.

    If you’ve ever felt stuck by your past or uncertain about your path, this episode will remind you that redemption and greatness often start with one courageous decision.

    Tune in for a masterclass on resilience, reinvention, and rising above your circumstances.

    EP Guest: Tommy Breedlove

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/legendarybook/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommybreedlove/
    Website: https://www.livelegendary.today/

    1 hr 3 min
  • #085: Break the £500k plateau: a systems shift guided by intent, purpose, and process - Patrick Lee

    Many entrepreneurs find themselves stuck at a crucial stage — the £500K plateau — where growth seems just out of reach.

    In this episode of Grappling Growth, we sit down with Patrick Lee, author of The Great Small Business Plateau, Main Street Growth Expert, and Business Builder, to uncover the mindset and systems shift that can help business owners break through this barrier.

    Patrick shares hard-won insights on how intentional systems, clear purpose, and disciplined processes can transform a business from surviving to scaling. From defining what truly drives your business to implementing structure without losing creativity, Patrick reveals the practical steps that move entrepreneurs beyond the plateau and toward sustainable growth.

    Tune in to discover how to realign your intent, strengthen your processes, and finally push past the limits holding your business back.

    EP Guest: Patrick Lee

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickleejr/
    Website: http://www.chesapeakethinktank.com/

    28 min

About Grappling Growth

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We’re all grappling with something. Each and every entrepreneur, business owner and leader experiences growing pains no matter where they’re at on their business journey. On Grappling Growth, we…