Career Competitor

The "Career Competitor" podcast is hosted by Steve Mellor.

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Latest Episodes

Episode 287 - Exercising Agency: Choosing Change and Growth with Meg Trucano

Episode 287 - Exercising Agency: Choosing Change and Growth with Meg Trucano

High performers like us can get stuck chasing outcomes, living by ‘shoulds,’ and searching for the perfect choice. That black-and-white thinking keeps us on autopilot and robs us of momentum.

Today’s guest, coach and Changeology host Meg Trucano, has lived this work. After burning out in a prestigious research career, a single question, ‘How will you feel a year from now if nothing changes?’, sparked a complete pivot. Now she helps high-achieving women create identity-level change with what she calls small acts of rebellion, like dropping old rules that don’t serve you and reclaiming your time.     

If you’re ready to trade perfectionism for progress, you’ll learn how intention, agency, and aligned action create real movement, and how to give yourself permission to change your mind.

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About the Guest: Meg Trucano is a coach, podcaster, and change advocate who helps high-achieving women navigate major life transitions with clarity and intention. Through her coaching practice and her podcast Changeology, she empowers clients to rediscover their agency, break free from limiting “shoulds,” and create meaningful, identity-level transformation.

Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, Steve sits down with Meg Trucano to explore what it really means to be growth ready. Meg shares her perspective on the trifecta of growth—intention, agency, and aligned action—and how choosing to “exercise agency” is the key to creating lasting change.

Together, they dive into why we’re so prone to black-and-white thinking, the cultural obsession with productivity and outcomes, and how self-awareness often defaults to self-criticism rather than possibility. Meg introduces her concept of “small acts of rebellion” and reveals how choice and ownership transform how we show up in life.

From her personal burnout story to her mission of guiding others through life’s biggest shifts, Meg’s wisdom is equal parts practical and inspiring. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop coasting and start choosing the life you want, this episode is for you.

Key Topics & Themes:

  • What it means to be growth ready
  • The trifecta: intention, agency, aligned action
  • The difference between coasting and exercising agency
  • Why black-and-white thinking dominates our minds
  • Shifting self-awareness from criticism to compassion
  • Small acts of rebellion as tools for change
  • Choice as the foundation of growth
  • Meg’s journey from burnout to coaching
  • The courage to embrace change without fear

Links & Resources Mentioned:

This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout

#GrowthReadyPodcast #PersonalGrowth #SelfDevelopment #MindsetMatters #LifeCoaching #ChangeYourLife #GrowthMindset #HighPerformanceHabits #EmbraceChange #AgencyAndAction

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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 286: Say Yes Until Say No: Action, Leadership & Growth with John Donnelly

Episode 286: Say Yes Until Say No: Action, Leadership & Growth with John Donnelly

Too many high-performers get stuck in overthinking. They let opportunities pass, waiting for the “perfect time.”

John Donnelly knows this firsthand. From leading through the 2008 mortgage crash to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at 50, John built his career and life on one principle: say yes until you have to say no.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn how saying yes more often can unlock opportunities, deepen your self-awareness, and help you prepare for your own “mountain.”

We’ll cover how John leads with curiosity in a structured industry, why self-awareness is the ultimate ROI, how to gamify big goals like Kilimanjaro, and the practical ways you can start saying yes to growth, even when fear says no.

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About the Guest: John Donnelly is the Senior VP of Sales at Service First Mortgage, where he has led through industry highs, the 2008 financial crash, and ongoing disruption from technology and AI. Beyond his decades in leadership, John is a lifelong learner and adventurer, most recently proving it by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at 50. His motto: say yes until you have to say no.

About the Episode: Growth isn’t about waiting for the perfect time, it’s about saying yes, taking action, and learning as you go.

In this episode of the GrowthReady Podcast, Steve Mellor sits down with John Donnelly to explore how saying yes can unlock opportunities, build self-awareness, and lead to transformational growth. From stories of leading teams through chaos to personal lessons gained on Kilimanjaro, John shares how curiosity, consistency, and conscious action create unstoppable momentum.

Key Topics & Themes

  • What it means to say yes until you must say no
  • Leading through crisis: lessons from the 2008 mortgage collapse
  • Why curiosity beats certainty in leadership
  • How a 12-hour walk sparked self-awareness and life-changing goals
  • The preparation and lessons from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Why consistency matters more than perfection
  • Turning ceilings into floors: leading with legacy for your family and team

Links & Resources Mentioned

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This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout

#GrowthReadyPodcast #Leadership #SayYes #HighPerformance #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #TakeAction #MindsetMatters #Kilimanjaro #Adaptability

Send us a text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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

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 ready
  • Adaptability as a competitive advantage
  • Transitioning from a speaking career to a SaaS company
  • The limitations of personal branding and why Aaron wanted more
  • How to gamify growth so business stays fun
  • The importance of asking for help and building trust
  • Navigating partnerships and teamwork (including working with family)
  • Aaron’s wildest dreams: IPO or a $100M+ exit

Links & Resources Mentioned

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This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout

#GrowthReadyPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Adaptability #Leadership #SaaSFounders #BusinessGrowth #HighPerformance #OvercomingObstacles #MindsetMatters #ScalingBusiness

Send us a text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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

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 & Themes

  • Why willingness (not just openness) is essential for growth
  • The role of courage and failure in unlocking creativity
  • Heather’s leap from VP to solopreneur and keynote speaker
  • The Jonah Complex: fearing our own greatness
  • How school systems diminish creativity—and how to reclaim it
  • Using simple tools (like crayons) to spark divergent thinking
  • Lessons from Heather’s new book Heart Work
  • Daily practices for self-awareness and intentional leadership
  • Competing with yourself: growth as an ongoing journey

 Links & Resources Mentioned

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Connect with Coach Steve Mellor:

This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout

#GrowthReadyPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #CreativeLeadership #PersonalGrowthJourney #CourageOverComfort #FailForward #UnlockCreativity #LeadershipPodcast #MotivationForLeaders #InspireToLead

Send us a text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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

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 life
  • How to embrace possibility and the unknown with confidence
  • The power of pivoting when plans break down (literally)
  • Building “orbits” of mentors, peers, and those you influence
  • Using calmness and preparation to lead through uncertainty
  • Turning nervous energy into focused performance
  • Reframing feedback as a collaborative, empowering tool
  • Why curiosity is the muscle that drives long-term growth
  • Maritza’s next chapter: stepping into speaking and authorship

Links & Resources Mentioned

Connect with Coach Steve Mellor:

This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout

#GrowthReadyPodcast #MaritzaMcClendon #LeadershipDevelopment #OlympianMindset #PersonalGrowth #EmbracePossibility #FeedbackCulture #CuriosityDriven #HighPerformance #ThrivingInUncertainty

Send us a text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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

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 DNA
  • The six pillars of The Uncertainty Advantage
  • Building risk-taking muscles through small daily actions
  • How adaptability and generalist skills future-proof your career
  • The power of community in navigating uncertainty
  • Success stories from Venture for Canada alumni
  • The myth of “one big risk” vs. thousands of small bets
  • How reflection and feedback accelerate growth


Links & Resources Mentioned

Send us a text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

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

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

About the Episode

In 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 means
  • The difference between dictating vs. facilitating growth
  • Lessons from Jim Valvano’s 1983 NC State basketball championship journey
  • Why curiosity, respect, and empowerment define great coaching
  • The lasting impact of self-discovery and ownership in personal and professional growth

If 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 text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

Episode 280: How to Build Partnerships That Drive Real Growth with Elia Blankenship

Episode 280: How to Build Partnerships That Drive Real Growth with Elia Blankenship

About the Guest: Elia Blankenship is a consulting leader at RSM specializing in transformation work for financial institutions and beyond. With a background in management, organizational change, and a deep commitment to emotional intelligence, Elia challenges the traditional “consultant tells, client does” approach. Instead, she builds partnerships rooted in listening, candor, and collaboration, empowering clients to own their growth journey. She’s also a champion for automation and AI adoption in the industries she serves.

About the Episode: In this conversation, host Steve Mellor and guest Elia Blankenship unpack what it really means to be “growth ready.” They challenge outdated notions of consulting, explore the role of trust and candidness in partnerships, and dig into the messy reality of change. Elia shares her approach to creating ownership in clients, why “reading the room” is a critical skill, and how personal growth mirrors professional transformation. They also touch on adapting to digital trends, breaking through ego and bias, and the importance of staying curious in a fast-moving world.

At the heart of the discussion? Growth takes work. Hard work. But with the right people, the right mindset, and the willingness to listen, it’s work worth doing.

Key Topics Discussed

  • Rethinking the role of a consultant
  • The importance of listening, humility, and service in leadership
  • Building trust before candid conversations
  • Creating ownership so clients sustain progress
  • Overcoming ego, pride of ownership, and readiness barriers
  • Reading the room and adapting communication styles
  • Applying consulting lessons to family and personal growth
  • The need to embrace AI, automation, and digital transformation
  • How speed-to-market is changing the consulting landscape
  • Personal reflections on future growth and unfinished projects

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • RSMhttps://rsmus.com
  • Books on Emotional Intelligence (Emotional Intelligence 2.0)
  • Microsoft Copilot and AI tools referenced in discussion

Send us a text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

Episode 279: Invisible Boxes & Unshakable Roots: How to Lead With Curiosity and Courage with Tracy Clark

Episode 279: Invisible Boxes & Unshakable Roots: How to Lead With Curiosity and Courage with Tracy Clark

About the Guest: Tracy Clark is a leadership coach, former managing partner of an international oil & gas events business, and a passionate advocate for helping founders and leaders break through invisible limits. After scaling her company 450% and exiting for eight figures, Tracy shifted her focus to guiding others in discovering their own transformative power through deep inner work, curiosity, and radical experimentation.

About the Episode: In this eye-opening conversation, Steve Mellor is joined by fellow Brit Tracy Clark for a deep dive into what it really means to be "Growth Ready." Tracy shares her personal journey from scaling a multimillion-dollar company to becoming a leadership coach focused on helping others dissolve limiting beliefs, or what she calls “invisible boxes.”

Through powerful metaphors, such as the tree with visible trunks and invisible roots, Tracy encourages leaders to turn inward, embrace curiosity, and use playfulness as a serious tool for transformation. Whether you're a founder, a coach, or simply someone seeking to grow, this episode offers practical frameworks and energizing insights to challenge the narratives holding you back.

Takeaways:

  • What it means to be GrowthReady
  • Choosing discovery over certainty
  • Challenging inherited beliefs and invisible boxes
  • The role of self-concept in leadership and impact
  • Tracy’s journey from business owner to coach
  • Using curiosity, open-mindedness, and experimentation as leadership superpowers
  • The power of playfulness in business and life
  • How deep self-inquiry leads to clarity and calm
  • Letting go of external blame and stepping into ownership
  • Tracy’s Leadership Success Scorecard

Links and Resources:

Send us a text

Support the show

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


Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor

Bio of Career Competitor

The "Career Competitor" podcast is hosted by Steve Mellor, a Performance Coach with a background in coaching athletes to Olympic gold and executives to new career heights. The podcast is designed to ignite the competitive fire within individuals and help them jump-start or optimize their careers.

Through interviews and insights, Steve Mellor shares valuable advice and inspiration to motivate listeners on their career journeys. The guests featured on the show come from diverse backgrounds, including Olympic and Super Bowl champions, Fortune 500 executives, and entrepreneurs. However, the common theme throughout each episode is the pursuit of one's optimal self and striving towards personal and professional growth.

By listening to "Career Competitor," individuals are encouraged to tap into their competitive spirit and unlock their full potential. The podcast aims to provide specific insights that can spark motivation and drive individuals to elevate their performance in ways they may not have thought possible before.

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