The Growth Project

In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with 2016 Rio Olympian, Sage Watson, who shares what life is really like as a professional track and field athlete, from the daily routines and mental strategies to the years of disciplined preparation behind the scenes. Driven to inspire the next generation of female athletes, Sage opens up about the mindset required to perform under immense pressure and how she stays grounded through it all.

How do great leaders remain grounded when everything around them shifts? In the final episode of this series, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon examine the social and behavioral foundations that help leaders stay true to their mission, vision, and values, especially in uncertain times. They offer practical insight on how to stay aligned with what matters most.

Why is managing emotions so often a challenge for leaders? In part two of this series, Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Milt Lowder explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of leadership. They discuss why emotions matter more than ever, how spiritual practices can keep leaders grounded, and what it means to lead with peace and perspective in a world full of noise.

So you think you want to be a leader? In the first episode of this three-part series, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon unpack the growing complexity of leadership in today's world. They explore what high performance looks like in the face of uncertainty, what it takes to lead well under pressure, and how leaders can create a holistic plan to thrive in the areas that matter most.

Why do so many high performers avoid personal reflection, even when they know it's valuable? In this episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer dive into the science and practice of self-reflection. They explore how reflection drives performance, what internal and external barriers often prevent us from doing it, and how to build the habit with practical, intentional strategies. Whether you're leading a team or looking to grow personally, this conversation will help you pause with purpose.

What does great leadership really look like and how do we recognize it when it's present? In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols sits down with Kaitlyn Cunningham, Director of Women's Basketball Strength & Conditioning at Clemson University. Together, they explore the pursuit of continual growth, the power of honest feedback, and why authentic leadership is rooted in trust, collaboration, and showing up fully. This conversation offers insight into what it means to lead with both strength and humility.

Do fulfillment, results, and personal growth come from deliberate pursuit or do they naturally emerge when we're aligned and present? In this thought-provoking conversation, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore the dynamic tension between pursuing and ensuing. They unpack how intention, discipline, and surrender all play a role in our journey to become who we're meant to be.

With nearly 15 years of college football coaching experience, Mitch Doolittle has seen firsthand how leadership evolves. In this episode, he joins Dr. Drew Brannon to share the lessons that have shaped his coaching philosophy, especially the importance of building strong relationships as the foundation for performance. Whether you're leading athletes, educators, or professionals, Mitch's insights reveal timeless principles that transcend the field.

Nike's Breaking2 documentary follows the groundbreaking attempt to break the two-hour marathon barrier. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore three powerful lessons from the project: how mental "software" becomes essential as physical "hardware" peaks, how the theory of marginal gains drives sustained progress, and why redefining success on your own terms can lead to deeper fulfillment, even when the goal isn't reached.

How do we consistently show up as our best selves, especially in high-pressure, high-stakes environments? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Dr. Jordan Cinquino, an Internal Medicine Physician from Buffalo, NY, to explore why stepping away from work is sometimes the most important thing we can do for our performance and well-being. Drawing from his experience on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York, Dr. Cinquino shares powerful lessons about resilience, recovery, and redefining success from the inside out.