The G.R.I.T. Academy Podcast

By Tom Butterfield

Success in football (soccer) — and in life — isn’t just about talent. It’s about setting goals, taking responsibility and accountability, taking action to form positive habits, and celebrate success. ... more

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FAQs about The G.R.I.T. Academy Podcast:

How many episodes does The G.R.I.T. Academy Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.

The G.R.I.T. Academy Podcast episodes:

September 22, 2025Ep15: How To Stay Accountable Without Burning Out
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Summary
In this episode of the Grit Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield discusses the significance of youth sports and the coaching philosophy that emphasises enjoyment and effort over winning.
He delves into the importance of accountability in achieving personal goals, offering practical tips for finding effective accountability systems.
Additionally, he addresses the need to balance accountability with rest to avoid burnout, encouraging listeners to celebrate their progress and maintain consistency in their efforts.
Takeaways
Youth sports should focus on enjoyment and effort.
Winning or losing is less important than personal growth.
Accountability helps maintain momentum towards goals.
Choose an accountability partner who challenges you.
Utilise technology to track progress effectively.
Set clear expectations for accountability.
Schedule rest days to prevent burnout.
Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.
Listen to your body and adjust your pace as needed.
Consistency is key, but small actions matter.

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6min
September 09, 2025 Ep14: Why Your Environment Shapes Your Success
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Summary
Join Tom Butterfield, founder of the GRIT Academy, as he explores the profound influence of our environment on personal and professional success. In this episode, Tom shares insights from his experiences and offers practical tips to design an environment that fosters growth and achievement.
Key Highlights:
Main Topic: How physical and social environments impact our focus and motivation.
Practical Tips: Simplify your space, surround yourself with supportive people, and use visual cues to stay on track.
Call to Action: If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend, leave a review, and follow the show to get the latest episodes directly to your device.
Hashtags: #SuccessEnvironment #GRITAcademy #Podcast
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7min
August 04, 2025Ep13: Why Writing Down Your Goals Works Wonders
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield discusses the transformative power of writing down goals.
He highlights that individuals who write their goals are significantly more likely to achieve them, emphasising the importance of specificity, commitment, and accountability.
Tom encourages listeners to view goal-setting as a process that requires time and consistent effort, comparing it to planting seeds that need nurturing to grow.
He also invites listeners to join the GRIT Academy program for further support in achieving their goals.
Takeaways
Writing down your goals makes a difference.
People who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them.
Writing your goals forces you to get specific.
It's like saying, this matters to me.
Writing down our goals is like planting seeds.
The act of writing keeps us moving forwards.
Successful people take their dreams seriously enough.
We show you how to stick to your goals.
Sharing this episode can help others grow.
Feedback helps us improve the show.

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4min
July 28, 2025Ep12: Why Celebrating Small Wins Is Vital To Success
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield emphasises the significance of celebrating small wins in the journey towards achieving larger goals.
He discusses how recognising these small victories can fuel motivation, track progress, and ultimately lead to success.
The episode provides practical tips on identifying and celebrating small wins, reinforcing the idea that success is a series of incremental steps rather than a single leap.
Takeaways
Celebrating small wins is critical to success.
Every small win signals progress to your brain.
Small wins fuel motivation and keep the momentum going.
Identifying small wins can be done through daily efforts, overcoming resistance, and incremental progress.
Acknowledging small wins can be done by pausing to reflect, rewarding yourself, and sharing with others.
Celebrating small wins helps maintain consistency over the long term.
Focusing on accomplishments rather than what's left to do boosts confidence.
Life is about the journey, not just the big moments.
Success is a series of small steps, not just one big leap.
Identifying and celebrating small wins can lead to massive transformation.

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6min
July 21, 2025Ep11: Keep Overcomplicating Things?! Simple Steps To Get Started and Make Progress.
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield discusses the detrimental effects of overthinking on personal progress. He explores the reasons behind overcomplication, such as perfectionism and fear of failure, and offers practical strategies to simplify the approach to achieving goals. The episode emphasizes the importance of taking small, manageable steps and maintaining a focus on progress rather than perfection.
Takeaways
Overthinking can paralyse progress.
Perfectionism leads to inaction.
Fear of failure often causes overcomplication.
Burnout results from trying to do too much at once.
Focusing on one task at a time is crucial.
A 'done is better than perfect' mindset helps.
Creating a next step mentality reduces overwhelm.
Simplicity eliminates excuses for inaction.
Consistency is built through straightforward tasks.
Taking small steps leads to significant results over time.

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5min
July 14, 2025 Ep10: Why Perfectionism Is Sabotaging Your Success
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield discusses the detrimental effects of perfectionism on productivity and success.
He shares personal experiences and emphasises the importance of taking imperfect action to make progress. The episode provides practical strategies to overcome perfectionism, including celebrating small wins and silencing the inner critic.
Tom encourages listeners to focus on progress rather than perfection and invites them to join the GRIT Academy program for further support.
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6min
July 07, 2025Ep9: Stop Wasting Time! Here's How To Focus On What Matters.
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield discusses the importance of effective time management and staying focused on what truly matters.
He highlights common distractions that hinder productivity and offers practical steps to prioritise tasks, say no to non-essential commitments, and time block daily activities.
The conversation emphasises the need for intentionality in daily actions to align with personal goals and values.
Takeaways
It's not about having more hours in the day.
Identify distractions that consume your time.
Get clear on what's worth your time.
Define your top three priorities each day.
Learn to say no to protect your time.
Time blocking is essential for focus.
Align daily actions with your long-term goals.
Every small action compounds over time.
Create a life that reflects your values.

The GRIT Academy offers frameworks for effective time management.
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5min
June 30, 2025 Ep8: How to Redefine What Winning Really Means
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield explores the concept of winning and how it can be redefined beyond just outcomes.
He emphasizes the importance of focusing on effort, growth, and the process rather than solely on results.
Through examples from sports and personal challenges, he illustrates how this new perspective can lead to personal development and long-term success.
The episode encourages listeners to celebrate their efforts and progress, fostering a healthier mindset towards achievement.
Takeaways
Winning is often misdefined as just the final result.
Focusing on outcomes can lead to frustration.
Effort and progress are key indicators of success.
Growth should be valued over perfection.
Celebrating the process is essential to winning.
Courage to try new things is a win in itself.
Mindset shifts apply to all areas of life.
Winning is about becoming the best version of ourselves.
The GRIT Academy supports this new winning mindset.
Quality over quantity is crucial in personal development.
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5min
June 23, 2025 Ep7: How to Break Old Habits and Build New Ones
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy Podcast, host Tom Butterfield explores one of the most common struggles faced by athletes, students, and everyday people alike: how to break bad habits and build better ones. If you've ever felt stuck in old patterns, you're not alone—and you're not broken. Tom breaks down the science behind why habits are so difficult to change and shares key mindset shifts that make all the difference.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why habits operate on autopilot
✅ The power of repetition and small, consistent actions
✅ Why perfection isn’t the goal—consistency is
✅ How every small win builds long-term momentum
This short but powerful episode is packed with insight and encouragement to help you take real, lasting steps forward in your personal development—both on and off the pitch.
🎧 Ready to take your habits and mindset to the next level? Be sure to join the G.R.I.T. Academy waitlist—we only open the doors twice a year!
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4min
June 16, 2025Ep6: Take Control: How to Stop Letting Life Happen to You
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Summary
In this episode of the GRIT Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield discusses the importance of shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach in life. He outlines the differences between the two, emphasising the need to take control of one's day and priorities.
Tom shares three practical habits to cultivate proactive living and highlights the significance of focusing on what one can control. He also introduces the GRIT Academy program as a resource for those looking to deepen their understanding and practice of these concepts.
Takeaways
Reactive living means constantly responding to external demands.
Proactive living involves intentional choices and setting priorities.
Planning your day the night before can enhance productivity.
Starting the day with intention sets a positive tone.
Learning to say no is crucial for protecting your time.
Focus on your circle of control to reduce stress.
Freeing up mental space allows for better decision-making.
The GRIT Academy offers tools for mastering control over life.
Joining the waiting list ensures you won't miss out on opportunities.
Sharing helpful resources with friends fosters community growth.

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5min

FAQs about The G.R.I.T. Academy Podcast:

How many episodes does The G.R.I.T. Academy Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.