GrowthReady Podcast with Steve Mellor

The show that seeks to light the competitive fire within you is only a download away. Be sure to subscribe so you can gain incredible insight into how best to optimize your competitive spirit within your career today

On this episode we speak with former Division 1 collegiate swimmer & swim coach, Christen Shefchunas about how she became "Coach Christen", The Confidence Coach after 2 decades as a swim coach. 

Finding her true calling in this more mentoring role where she could reach more women has allowed her to work on helping women perform better under high-pressure situations, within the sports world and corporate America. 

Within the episode we discuss the ways in which we are forced to juggle the role we play within a position as our career progresses (8:00); the importance of realizing your passion (16:50); how we must recognize the way "Fears" must be dealt with before we build confidence (20:25); the power of telling someone "I see you" when you realize they are struggling (22:15); the way pressure is also a factor to coach within the business room (23:50); a "confidence nugget" to help you approach a typical day (25:42); and my Career Competitor "Keys to Success" (30:15)

On this episode we sit down with our Entrepreneur expert, Raymond De Padua as he returns to the show to offer insight into the current career climate we find ourselves in due to the Corona Virus pandemic. 

This former swimmer is accustomed to working within an environment where it feels like the finish cannot be seen and the future is unknown as he has been a part of a number of successful ventures that started from the ground up

Ray sheds light on some great mental approaches we can all have during this difficult time which include; the art of "pivoting" when others may have the desire to give up; leaning on teammates to help promote energy and purpose within you; and having a willingness to help others at all costs as we can all benefit in the future from the smallest gestures in the present. 

This episode we welcome current NFL Wide Receiver and winner of Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, Bennie Fowler to the show. Bennie is also an in demand national speaker for kids & corporate America, while being a Best-Selling author of the book “Silver Spoon; The Imperfect Guide to Success”.

This unique episode gives us the opportunity to learn first hand how you can actively prepare for life after a sport while still a part of it. Bennie is all about getting people to understand that habits and attitudes are just as important traits for any person to have than the skills and drills they work on towards their profession.

Within our conversation we cover a number of topics including what Bennie believes the most valuable Principles of Leadership involve, how authenticity can be your greatest career asset, and why an “Earning” mindset can get you anywhere in life.

On this episode we welcome on 3-time Olympic Medalist & 9-time World Champion Swimmer, Katie Hoff to the show as we discuss her life after world class sport and the lessons both swimming and the time since then have taught her

With so much adversity in the world at the moment with people everywhere having to adapt to the restrictions put on their lifestyle from the COVID-19 Pandemic, Katie offers an insight into how she has embraced the most difficult times in her life by embracing the process because her goals meant enough to her.

Furthermore, we go into how it is important to never assume someone is not in need of your support when going through major transitions in life such as being forced to retire from their sport due to injury, or maybe having to start a new career due to unforeseen circumstances.

But no matter how difficult things can become, it is vital that we  see these changes as new opportunities that must be seized upon, and Katie's story will show listeners that we must remain resolute during adversity when we are working towards the things that matter most.

We welcome Samantha Ettus to the show today to discuss how the former Tennis player and Harvard Business School Graduate is now implementing her "infectious" mindset and approach to her work across a variety of areas. 

Most recently she has become the founder and CEO of Park Place Payments and is working towards providing opportunities to competitive people such as former athletes and parents who have spend time out of the workforce. 

We discuss a wide variety of topics but key talking points include; finding fulfillment over happiness each day; embracing the need for daily structure; saying yes before saying no; and having the right people on your team. 

We welcome Abdul Alzindani to the show who is a Former Long-Distance Runner who graduated from NC State University and has established himself as a Managing Partner at PTN Partners. 

The relentless approach required for success in distance running is something Abdul highlights for his career progression and he sheds light on transitioning skills required when leaving your athlete life behind

We cover a range of topics including the importance of never fearing the road ahead, how Humility can be a Leader’s greatest tool, and why it is okay to accept that the athlete you once were still lives inside of you. 

We welcome 2-time Olympian Myriam Glez to the show who is now the Founder & CEO of Athletes Soul. Having reached the highest levels in the sport of Synchronized Swimming, Myriam is now investing her time into a program that aids former athletes with the transition into the working world (Sound familiar?!)

We discuss how the transitions we face may challenge you, but  how they also shape you in the process for future moments. We also establish what the power of respecting preparation can have on your career, while highlighting how a coach is not just required in your sport but that you can certainly utilize one in life as well.

On this episode we welcome Former Basketball player, Kody burke who was drafted to the WNBA out of college from NC State University and is now a Financial Analyst with Cisco

We discuss the benefits of remaining true to your authentic self and how that can present opportunities for you, while also putting your trust in others so as to succeed as a team

Kody also provides numerous examples of how you can reach the highest of levels in sport and your career by simply focusing on performing within the present and not allowing yourself to become anxious by what lies ahead. 

We speak with former Skeleton Canadian National Team member, Cassie Hawrysh, now a Media and Communication Consultant about her rise to a world level in her sport of Skeleton and how she balanced it with her pursuit of building her career outside of sport. 

As we further explore the popular topic of "branding" ourselves within our fields, this episode sheds light onto the power of persistence when chasing our dreams and how the support of those around you can facilitate your success. 

Cassie provides some very honest insight into perspectives that can only be explained by those that have competed in sport to the level she has and the "authentic" nature of her story is something that should be appreciated and learned from.