Episode 293: Build Real Wealth Without Burning Out with Lane Kawaoka
About the guest: Lane Kawaoka is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and founder of The Wealth Elevator, a platform dedicated to helping high-net-worth individuals and business owners move beyond traditional investing. A former engineer turned full-time investor, Lane has built a multimillion-dollar portfolio through alternative investments and has built a thriving community that connects accredited investors to real opportunities.About the episode: In this episode of GrowthReady, host Steve Mellor sits down with Lane Kawaoka, a former engineer who traded his stable career for financial freedom through smart investing and community building. Lane shares his journey from buying his first rental property in 2009 to now leading a network of accredited investors and entrepreneurs focused on growing wealth outside the traditional stock market.You’ll hear Lane’s insights on the internal vs. external factors that drive growth, why curiosity and humility matter more than ever in business, and how community, not isolation, is the ultimate currency of the wealthy. This conversation is packed with practical mindset shifts for high performers looking to scale not just their income, but their impact.Takeaways:How to know when it’s time to change what got you hereWhy curiosity is the secret growth advantage for leadersThe importance of community and structured connectionHow Lane transitioned from engineer to full-time entrepreneurThe difference between external market shifts and internal growthThe “wealth elevator” framework for building true financial freedomWhy social relationships, not money, are the real currency of successHow to stay grounded while scaling to 8 figures and beyondConnect with Lane:Lane’s Book: The Wealth Elevator – Available on AmazonLane’s Podcast: The Wealth ElevatorSend us a textSupport the showConnect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn Instagram Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Official Website ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout Sign 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
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Episode 292: Redefine Your Identity and Achieve Unreasonable Growth with Dr. Nona Djavid
Most leaders set goals that feel safe, but safe goals don’t create transformation.In this episode, Dr. Nona Djavid shares how to rewire your brain, expand your identity, and design a vision so bold it scares you, then make that vision feel safe enough to live.We break down her 4-step framework for unreasonable growth, the neuroscience behind identity change, and how to become the person your next chapter requires.About the Guest: Dr. Nona Djavid is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and mindset strategist helping high-performing leaders and business owners design “unreasonable” visions and scale their results without burnout. Through her Unreasonable Method™ and neuroscience-backed frameworks, she teaches individuals to expand their identity, align behaviors, and achieve quantum leaps in life and business.About the Episode: In this GrowthReady episode, Steve Mellor sits down with Dr. Nona Djavid to explore how to go beyond SMART goals and design the life you truly want by thinking, and being bigger. Nona shares her four-step framework for turning “unreasonable” visions into grounded realities, explaining how our nervous system, identity, and behaviors all shape what we believe is possible.This episode unpacks the neuroscience behind change, the difference between realistic and transformative goals, and why your current identity might be holding you back from the future you’re capable of creating.The 3 types of goals: SMART, Inspired, and UnreasonableWhy your nervous system resists big goals (and how to reprogram it)The science of identity expansionThe role of embodiment in achieving successBalancing safety and stretch in your visionWhy behavior consistency starts with who you believe you areHow to set goals that pull you forward instead of pushing you to burnoutLinks & Resources MentionedConnect with Dr. Nona Djavid on Instagram: @drnonadjavidWatch Dr. Nona’s free 90-minute Quantum Leap Workshop (DM her “Quantum Leap” on Instagram to get the link)Book Recommendation: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraSend us a textSupport the showConnect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn Instagram Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Official Website ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout Sign 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
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Episode 291: How to Build Founder Confidence When No One Believes in You with Anya Cheng
About the Guest: Anya Cheng is the Founder and CEO of Taelor, a leading men's clothing subscription service that provides personal styling and curated rentals, powered by AI. A Girls in Tech 40 Under 40 honoree, she previously led eCommerce and digital innovation teams at Meta, eBay, Target, and McDonald's. Taelor’s mission is to help people dress up to achieve their goals, whether it's for a job interview, date night, or big presentation, because looking good shouldn’t be a barrier to success.About the Episode: In this episode, host Steve Mellor talks with Anya Cheng about her leap from corporate exec to founder of Taelor.AI. She shares how she overcame imposter syndrome, bootstrapped with limited resources, and turned repeated “no’s” into millions in funding.If you’re building something big and feeling unseen, this one’s for you.Takeaways:From imposter syndrome to self-beliefShifting from employee to entrepreneur mindsetGrowing with limited resourcesTurning rejection into opportunityTaelor.AI: using AI to boost confidenceNetworking through loose tiesCircular fashion & sustainable techRedefining success on your own termsExperience effortless style with rental and personal styling services:Taelor: Get 25% OFF your first month of men's clothing subscription.Use code: PODCAST25Sign up at: https://taelor.style/pages/membershipArmoire: Get 50% OFF your first month of women's clothing subscription.Use code: ArmoirexTaelorSign up at: https://www.armoire.style/refer/ArmoirexTaelorGive the gift of time, convenience, and effortless style:Taelor Gift Cards: Get 10% OFFUse code: PODCASTGIFTPurchase at: https://taelor.style/products/menswear-rental-gift-cardSend us a textSupport the showConnect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn Instagram Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Official Website ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout Sign 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
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Episode 290: How to Break Free from Perfectionism Without Losing Your Edge with Mitch Matthews
Ever feel like no matter how much you achieve, it’s still not enough? Like the goalposts keep moving and the pressure to look successful is crushing the joy of actually being successful?Mitch Matthews is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and success coach who helps people dream bigger, think better, and do more of what they’re built to do. Through his coaching programs and top-ranked Dream Think Do podcast, Mitch empowers leaders and entrepreneurs to overcome limiting beliefs, build intentional habits, and lead with courage and authenticity.In this conversation, Steve sits down with Mitch Matthews to explore one of the biggest challenges high-achievers face: perfectionism.They unpack how the constant drive to get it right often robs us of peace, creativity, and real growth. Mitch shares his personal journey from corporate success to coaching freedom, revealing how embracing imperfection not only changed his work, but his life.Together, they dive into actionable tools for shifting your mindset from performance to purpose, building confidence that isn’t tied to results, and learning how to lead yourself (and others) through seasons of uncertainty and self-doubt.If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own standards, this episode is your permission slip to redefine success on your terms.Key TopicsThe hidden cost of perfectionism in leadership and entrepreneurshipHow to turn pressure into purposeThe power of curiosity in breaking the perfection cycleRedefining success beyond achievementBuilding emotional awareness and resilienceHow to coach yourself out of performance-driven burnoutThe difference between excellence and perfectionReal tools to reconnect with creativity and authenticityLinks & Resources MentionedMitch Matthews’ WebsiteDream Think Do Podcast: Listen HereSteve Mellor’s WebsiteBook Mentioned: Dream Job: Redefined by Mitch Matthews#GrowthReadyPodcast #LeadershipMindset #HighPerformanceCoach #PerfectioniSend us a textSupport the showConnect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn Instagram Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Official Website ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout Sign 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
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Episode 289: Be One of a Kind: Redefining Success and Time with Mike Milligan, CFP
Ever feel like you’re just treading water, trying to grow, lead, and live with purpose, but never quite feeling in control?Today’s guest, Mike Milligan, grew up in extreme poverty, endured personal tragedy, and still built a thriving multi–seven-figure business while living life on his own terms. His story of resilience and intentional living is a masterclass in turning adversity into fuel.About the Guest: Mike Milligan, CFP® is a financial educator, author, and founder of One Oak Financial (“One of a Kind Financial”). A North Carolina native who overcame poverty and personal loss, Mike has dedicated his career to helping others live unique, purposeful lives through personalized financial planning. He also teaches financial literacy at Old Dominion University and is the author of The One of a Kind Financial Plan.About the Episode: In this episode, Steve Mellor sits down with Mike Milligan to discuss what it really means to live an exceptional life. From growing up in poverty to leading a multi–seven-figure business, Mike shares how defining his mission,“Be one of a kind and never miss a moment”, has transformed the way he leads, works, and lives.They explore why you must put value on your time, how to say no with purpose, and why being “selfish” might be the key to serving others better.What it means to be “growth-ready”How tragedy can inspire transformationWhy saying “no” more often can lead to freedomThe illusion of work-life balance vs. being exceptional at bothProtecting your time as if it were moneyCreating personal mission statements that drive focus and clarityDaily micro-wins and how to structure your mornings for successRedefining risk and legacy through intentional livingLinks & ResourcesGuest Website: https://1oakfinancial.com/Book: The One of a Kind Financial Plan (available on Amazon)Course: Personal Financial Planning – Old Dominion University#GrowthReadyPodcast #LeadershipMindset #BeOneOfAKind #HighPerformanceHabits #MindsetMatters #TimeManagement #PersonalGrowthJourney Send us a textSupport the showConnect with Steve Mellor Stay connected and keep growing with Steve: LinkedIn Instagram Book Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.com Support the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts Connect with GrowthReady Join the community and keep your growth journey going: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Official Website ---- This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout Sign 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
What does it mean to be ready to pursue growth? Should we pursue growth when we don't feel ready? And how do we achieve optimal growth by readying ourselves for everything that comes with it? The Growth Ready Podcast seeks to form a true appreciation for all facets of the growth process as we learn from high performers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Hosted by Steve Mellor, a seasoned high-performance executive coach and former US Olympic swim coach, each episode explores the pivotal moments that define true growth and the work that went into getting ready for it. Through candid conversation and detailed personal accounts, guests share their unique experiences of overcoming challenges, embracing transformation, and what it takes to get ready for every step of their growth journey.
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