GrowthReady Podcast

• Episode 285: From Blindness to Big Business: How to Scale Beyond Yourself with Aaron Golub

  Too many leaders hit a wall trading time for money, playing it safe, or letting fear hold them back. Aaron Golub, legally blind, former D1 athlete, NFL free agent, and now speaker-turned-SaaS founder, didn’t let obstacles stop him. In this episode, you’ll learn how adaptability, trust, and self-awareness helped him move from keynote stages to co-founding Precision Search, a SaaS business with his sister.About the Guest: Aaron is the first legally blind Division I athlete to play football, a former NFL free agent, and a sought-after motivational speaker. He’s also the co-founder of Precision Search, a programmatic SEO company helping businesses scale.About the Episode: What does it really mean to be GrowthReady? For Aaron Golub, it’s about leaning into discomfort, adapting to change, and building something bigger than yourself.In this episode, host Steve Mellor dives deep with Aaron on how he transitioned from keynote stages to building a scalable software company alongside his sister. Aaron shares the lessons he’s learned about adaptability, gamifying growth, and why asking for help is one of the most underrated leadership skills.This is a conversation for entrepreneurs, leaders, and high-performers who want to stop trading time for money and start building ventures that can scale far beyond themselves.Key Takeaways:What it really means to be growth readyAdaptability as a competitive advantageTransitioning from a speaking career to a SaaS companyThe limitations of personal branding and why Aaron wanted moreHow to gamify growth so business stays funThe importance of asking for help and building trustNavigating partnerships and teamwork (including working with family)Aaron’s wildest dreams: IPO or a $100M+ exitLinks & Resources MentionedAaron Golub’s Website → AaronGolub.comPrecision Search (Aaron’s SaaS company) → PrecisionSearch.ioConnect with Aaron on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/aarongolubFollow Steve Mellor → LinkedIn | InstagramMore Episodes of the GrowthReady Podcast → www.growthreadypodcast.comSend us a textSupport the showSign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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• Episode 284: Why Failing Forward is the Secret to Growth with Heather Hodges

  About the Guest: Dr. Heather Hodges is an organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, speed painter, and author of Heart Work: How to Lead People, Build Culture, and Unleash Creativity in Home Care. After leaving a corporate VP role, she followed her calling to help leaders unlock creativity and lead with courage. Heather’s unique approach blends research, storytelling, and art to inspire audiences to embrace failure, find their potential, and lead with heart.About the Episode: In this episode of The Growth Ready Podcast, Steve sits down with Heather Hodges to explore what it really means to be “growth ready.” From her courageous leap out of corporate leadership to launching her own company, Heather shares her story of embracing failure, unleashing creativity, and leaning into the unknown. Together, they dig into the Jonah Complex, why so many adults lose their creativity, and how simple tools (like crayons!) can reignite innovation. Heather also reveals the heart behind her new book and the message she’s sharing with leaders everywhere.Key Topics & ThemesWhy willingness (not just openness) is essential for growthThe role of courage and failure in unlocking creativityHeather’s leap from VP to solopreneur and keynote speakerThe Jonah Complex: fearing our own greatnessHow school systems diminish creativity—and how to reclaim itUsing simple tools (like crayons) to spark divergent thinkingLessons from Heather’s new book Heart WorkDaily practices for self-awareness and intentional leadershipCompeting with yourself: growth as an ongoing journey Links & Resources MentionedHeather’s Website: https://www.hodgesgroupintl.comHeather on LinkedIn: Dr. Heather L. HodgesHeather’s Book: Heart Work: How to Lead People, Build Culture, and Unleash Creativity in Home CareSend us a textSupport the showSign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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• Episode 283: How Feedback and Possibility helps you Thrive with Maritza McClendon

  About the Guest: Maritza McClendon is an Olympic silver medalist, speaker, and corporate leader currently serving in Communications and Community Affairs at Carter’s. Beyond her remarkable swimming career, Maritza has dedicated herself to inspiring others through speaking, leadership, and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion. Today, she continues to build her orbit, learning from mentors, influencing others, and preparing to step into her next chapter as both a professional speaker and aspiring author.Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, Steve Mellor reconnects with returning guest Maritza McClendon to explore what it truly means to be growth ready. From navigating life’s unexpected turns (like broken goggles behind the starting block) to leading with calm in corporate spaces, Maritza shares how possibility, curiosity, and feedback have fueled her growth both as an Olympic athlete and as a leader.Together, Steve and Maritza dive into how to embrace uncertainty, create orbits of support and influence, and use feedback not as criticism but as a gift for growth. This is a must-listen for anyone wanting to thrive in their career, sport, or life by leaning into discomfort, curiosity, and community.Takeaways:What it means to be growth ready in sport, career, and lifeHow to embrace possibility and the unknown with confidenceThe power of pivoting when plans break down (literally)Building “orbits” of mentors, peers, and those you influenceUsing calmness and preparation to lead through uncertaintyTurning nervous energy into focused performanceReframing feedback as a collaborative, empowering toolWhy curiosity is the muscle that drives long-term growthMaritza’s next chapter: stepping into speaking and authorshipLinks & Resources MentionedMaritza’s Website: maritzamcclendon.comInstagram: @RitzySwimsLinkedIn: Maritza McClendonSend us a textSupport the showSign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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• Episode 282: How to Thrive in a World That Won’t Stop Changing with Scott Stirrett

  About the Guest: Scott Stirrett is the founder of Venture for Canada (VFC), an organization that has supported over 10,000 young professionals in launching their careers. He is also the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a book that equips people of all ages to embrace change and uncertainty as a superpower instead of fearing it. Scott’s work has raised more than $80 million to empower Canada’s future leaders, and he’s passionate about helping people strengthen their "risk-taking muscles" to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving world.Episode Summary: In this episode of Growth Ready, Steve Mellor sits down with Scott Stirrett to explore how uncertainty, often seen as a roadblock, can become our greatest advantage. From the six core pillars of thriving in uncertain times (including self-compassion, adaptability, and entrepreneurial mindset) to building risk-taking muscles and investing in community, Scott shares actionable wisdom from his book The Uncertainty Advantage.Whether you’re an early-career professional or decades into your journey, this conversation will help you shift your mindset, embrace risk as growth, and strengthen your ability to thrive in times of change.Takeaways:Why uncertainty is baked into our DNAThe six pillars of The Uncertainty AdvantageBuilding risk-taking muscles through small daily actionsHow adaptability and generalist skills future-proof your careerThe power of community in navigating uncertaintySuccess stories from Venture for Canada alumniThe myth of “one big risk” vs. thousands of small betsHow reflection and feedback accelerate growthLinks & Resources MentionedScott’s Book: The Uncertainty Advantage (Amazon)Scott’s Website: https://www.scottstirrett.com/Send us a textSupport the showSign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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• Episode 281: Coaches Corner - How to Unlock True Potential in Your Team by Coaching for Discovery, Not Dictation with Steve Mellor

  About the EpisodeIn this episode of The Growth Ready Podcast: Coaches Corner, host Steve Mellor challenges the common misconceptions about coaching. Using the legendary story of Coach Jim Valvano and NC State’s 1983 championship run, Steve illustrates that true coaching isn’t about control, shouting, or rigid direction, it’s about facilitation, curiosity, and empowerment.Listeners will discover why the best coaches (on the court, in the boardroom, or in life) create environments for self-discovery and ownership, and how adopting this mindset can transform leadership and growth.Key Takeaways:Rethinking what coaching truly meansThe difference between dictating vs. facilitating growthLessons from Jim Valvano’s 1983 NC State basketball championship journeyWhy curiosity, respect, and empowerment define great coachingThe lasting impact of self-discovery and ownership in personal and professional growthIf you’re ready to stop dictating and start facilitating, subscribe to The GrowthReady Podcast today. Share this episode with a leader or coach who needs to hear it, and let’s build a world where growth comes from empowerment, not control.Send us a textSupport the showSign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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