The Founders Catalyst

Steve Mellor and Lee Povey are seasoned high-performance coaches with decades of experience leading elite athletes, startup founders, and executive teams. As co-hosts of The Founders Catalyst, they create candid conversations about leadership identity, culture, and performance, helping founders lead with clarity, courage, and humanity.Episode Summary: Steve and Lee kick off Season 2 with a simple question that’s harder than it sounds: who do you want to be as a leader? Not what you want to do. Not what you want to achieve. Who you want to be.They unpack how most of us developed “adaptive” versions of ourselves in childhood, masks that helped us belong, stay safe, and get approval. The problem: those survival strategies often follow us into leadership, where they show up as people-pleasing, defensiveness, control, or constant fatigue.The conversation moves from belonging and identity to consistency: why authenticity is what makes leadership stable, why “I’m so tired” can become a shield (and create resentment), and how the best leaders adapt to others without compromising their values.They close with practical reflection prompts: write down who you want to be, notice when you’re in fight/flight/freeze/fawn, and borrow clarity from leaders you admire, because authenticity isn’t a slogan, it’s a practice.Key Takeaways:Leadership isn’t just what you do, it’s who you are being while you do it.Your “mask” was once a survival strategy. It helped you belong as a kid, but it can limit you as a leader.Fatigue is a signal. If you’re constantly exhausted, you may be leading from adaptation instead of authenticity.Belonging drives behavior. The need to fit in is wired into humans—and it can quietly run your leadership.Great leaders adapt to people without compromising themselves. They meet others where they are, but keep their morals and standards intact.Authenticity creates consistency. If you’re not authentic, you become a chameleon, and consistency gets impossible.Name the survival mode. Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn are clues, notice them, breathe, and choose how you want to show up.Don’t wear “tired leader” as a badge. There’s a difference between being tired and telling a story that leadership is suffering.Vulnerability + ownership builds trust. Share what you’re learning, own mistakes, and let your team see the real you.Want a shortcut? Look at who you admire. Identify the qualities you respect, and practice those.Resources Mentioned:Adaptive survival strategies from childhood (“masks”)Fight / flight / freeze / fawn (nervous system survival responses)Men’s work / identity work (e.g., “Men Without Masks”)“Admired Leadership” (Randall Stutman)Reflection practice: “Who do I want to be as a leader?”If you do one thing after this episode, do this:Write the question at the top of a page: Who do I want to be as a leader?Then get curious, no perfection, no performance.And if you’re stuck, start with admiration: Who do you respect, and what qualities are you trying to embody?Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

About the Hosts: Steve Mellor and Lee Povey are seasoned high-performance coaches with decades of experience leading elite athletes, startup founders, and executive teams. As co-hosts of The Founders Catalyst, they bring the language of elite sport into business—turning messy leadership problems into clear standards, better conversations, and stronger culture.Episode Summary: Steve and Lee open with a candid check-in on energy, routines, and identity—then jump into a founder problem that quietly wrecks teams: feedback (or the lack of it).They break down why most leaders avoid feedback, how a vacuum of clarity creates anxiety and stories (“I’m going to get fired”), and why the corporate world often treats performance like a twice-a-year event instead of a daily practice.From there, the conversation expands into culture: why people thrive in environments they actually want to be in, how boundaries and standards create freedom (not restriction), and why “we’re a family” can become a convenient excuse for low accountability.They close by connecting it all to hiring and firing: when feedback is consistent and standards are clear, letting someone go becomes less emotional, less surprising, and far more humane—because the writing has been on the wall for everyone.Key Takeaways:Most teams don’t have a feedback problem—they have a feedback absence. And people fill that silence with worst-case stories.If you want high performance, treat work like performance, every day. Not just during an annual “performance review.”Start feedback with permission. “Are you open to some feedback?” changes the emotional state and lowers defensiveness.Context makes feedback land. “Here’s what I saw and why it matters” beats “Here’s what you did wrong.”Make it objective where you can. Use the “camera test”: what would a recording show, facts over feelings.Praise isn’t optional, it’s capacity. If you only give corrective feedback, you empty the “cookie jar” and people stop being able to receive anything.Boundaries create freedom. People do better when they know the rules and can be autonomous inside them.Play is a performance tool. Build intentional connection time (especially remote) so meetings are sharper and teams feel human.The Rehire Test: If they took a 3-month sabbatical, would you enthusiastically rehire them? If not, you’re already late.Resources Mentioned:The “camera test” (objective observation)The “cookie jar” model (capacity to receive feedback)Code of conduct / standards-setting with team involvementMarginal gains mindset (1% improvements)“Destination workplace” as an identity + experienceThe “Rehire after sabbatical” test (popularized in high-performance company thinking)If this episode hit home, take 10 minutes today and audit your feedback culture:Are people clear on where they stand?Do they know what success looks like—this week, not just this year?Are you refilling the cookie jar as often as you’re taking from it?Subscribe to The Founders Catalyst for more conversations that turn leadership fog into standards, clarity, and better performance.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

About the Hosts: Steve Mellor and Lee Povey are seasoned high-performance coaches with decades of experience leading elite athletes, startup founders, and executive teams. As co-hosts of The Founders Catalyst, they dig into the real challenges of leadership, company culture, and performance, creating space for candid, reflective, and often uncomfortable conversations.Episode Summary: In this episode, Steve and Lee get real about one of the most overlooked and emotionally charged responsibilities of founders and leaders: hiring and firing. Why do so many leaders avoid tough conversations? What makes firing feel so personal, and why shouldn't it be?Drawing from their years as elite coaches and founders themselves, they explore the often blurry boundaries between friendship and leadership, and how avoiding clarity in your hiring and firing practices can quietly sabotage your culture and company performance. This is a conversation about respect, candor, performance standards, and why you should never clean up the house before hiring someone to clean it.Key Takeaways:Why “being liked” sabotages good hiring decisionsThe myth of the company “family”—and why thinking like a team winsWhat most leaders get wrong about performance reviewsHow to set expectations and communicate standards from day oneEmotional traps in the hiring/firing cycleThe case for trial periods, performance metrics, and candid conversationsReal stories from Lee and Steve on letting go of co-founders and culture misfitsHow to know when it’s time to part ways—and do it with integrityWhy most leaders keep poor performers 6–12 months too longResources Mentioned:Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy ModelEO (Entrepreneur Organization) & EOA (Entrepreneur Accelerator)Daniel Kahneman’s hiring bias researchThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

About the Hosts: Steve Mellor and Lee Povey are seasoned high-performance coaches who bring decades of experience from the worlds of elite sport and business leadership. Together, they co-host The Founders Catalyst, where they explore strategies to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams unlock their true potential. Their combined wisdom, humor, and honesty create a space where big ideas meet practical insights.Episode Summary: In this episode of The Founders Catalyst, Steve and Lee dive deep into the real meaning of high-performance coaching—what it is, what it isn’t, and how it impacts leaders and organizations. They share personal stories, client success examples, and their own struggles with leadership, self-belief, and accepting praise.Listeners will discover why focusing on behaviors over outcomes, reframing leadership as a privilege rather than a burden, and embracing long-term growth are key to unleashing true potential. This isn’t a sales pitch—it’s an honest conversation about how coaching transforms not just businesses, but human beings.Key Topics & ThemesWhat high-performance coaching really meansWhy focusing on process and behaviors matters more than outcomesThe ripple effect of leadership on teams and organizationsCommon challenges leaders face (communication, feedback, self-belief)The privilege and responsibility of leadershipWhy coaching should be seen as a long-term investmentPersonal stories of growth, resistance, and breakthroughsResources MentionedSimon Sinek’s Infinite vs. Finite Games Ripple Effect Coaching Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy model Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

About the Hosts:Lee Povey and Steve Mellor are leadership coaches and hosts of The Founders Catalyst, a podcast dedicated to helping founders, executives, and rising leaders navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth. With decades of combined experience in elite sports, executive coaching, and team development, Lee and Steve offer real-world insights, sharp coaching tools, and thought-provoking conversations for the modern leader.About the Episode:In this episode of The Founders Catalyst, Steve and Lee dive deep into what they believe is the most important leadership skill of all: self-awareness. They unpack why so many leaders think they’re self-aware (but aren’t), what self-awareness actually involves, and how to begin doing the real work.The conversation spans everything from childhood programming and cultural influences to emotional intelligence, dyslexia, burnout, and building sustainable leadership habits. Expect powerful personal insights, practical frameworks, and a few laughs along the way.If you're a founder or leader looking to improve your emotional intelligence, decision-making, and relationships with your team... this one’s for you.Takeaways:Why self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadershipThe emotional work of leadership: noticing vs. reactingHow upbringing, trauma, and culture shape our responsesEmotional intelligence (EQ) vs. intellectual intelligence (IQ)Why most people think they’re self-aware, and are wrongEmotions as data: understanding anger, sadness, fear, joy, interest, and disgustThe importance of "noting" emotions in real timeBuilding sustainable leadership practices: rest, boundaries, and balanceLeading while tired, triggered, or overwhelmed and how to prepare for itFeedback loops, reflection, and what it really means to “do the work”“You don’t become self-aware just by deciding to be. It’s a journey, a practice, one you get wrong, again and again, until slowly, you don’t.” – Steve Mellor“Emotions are data. If we learn to listen, they tell us exactly what’s happening within us, and what we might need to change.” – Lee PoveyLinks & Resources Mentioned:Daniel Kahneman's research on decision-making and self-assessmentBrené Brown’s research on emotional language (83 emotions)The six core emotions model: Fear, Joy, Anger, Sadness, Interest, DisgustLee Povey’s men’s group (mentioned during emotional awareness segment)The Founders Catalyst LinkedIn Community: Join hereContact the hosts directly for feedback or coaching inquiriesThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

Lee Povey and Steve Mellor are leadership coaches and hosts of The Founders Catalyst, a podcast dedicated to helping founders, executives, and rising leaders navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth. With decades of combined experience in elite sports, executive coaching, and team development, Lee and Steve offer real-world insights, sharp coaching tools, and thought-provoking conversations for the modern leader.📝 Episode Summary:As Q2 wraps and the second half of the year begins, many leaders find themselves questioning: Are we still on track? In this timely and thought-provoking episode, Steve and Lee dive into why mid-year is the perfect moment to step back, reassess your goals, and ask the all-important question: Are these goals still relevant? They explore how to shift from reactive busyness to intentional leadership by focusing on what truly matters, your behaviors, your mindset, and how you use your time.You’ll learn how to redefine success, eliminate the fluff, and make strategic adjustments that honor both your vision and your current reality. This isn't about doing more, it's about doing what actually moves the needle.🔑 Key Takeaways:Why being "busy" doesn't equal being effective, and what to do about itThe difference between goals and commitments, and why commitments drive resultsHow to determine if a goal is still relevant mid-year (and what to change if it’s not)The “optimal vs. perfect” mindset shift that helps you make better decisionsWhy leadership without trust, of yourself and others, leads to stagnationHow to involve your team in goal setting so they actually buy inA practical strategy for organizing your priorities using the “rocks, sand, and water” analogyWhat it means to lead from privilege, not pressure🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned:Traction by Gino Wickman (Rocks metaphor)Simon Sinek & Adam Grant podcast references (on creativity & meeting design)Join the Founder’s Catalyst LinkedIn CommunityLee Povey's Leadership CoachingSteve Mellor's Executive CoachingThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

Lee Povey and Steve Mellor are leadership coaches and hosts of The Founders Catalyst, a podcast dedicated to helping founders, executives, and rising leaders navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth. With decades of combined experience in elite sports, executive coaching, and team development, Lee and Steve offer real-world insights, sharp coaching tools, and thought-provoking conversations for the modern leader.📝 Episode Summary: In this insightful and candid conversation, co-hosts Steve Mellor and Lee Povey unpack the hidden struggles of being a high performer in leadership. Drawing on personal stories, from elite sports to startup boardrooms, they reveal how their own perfectionism, drive, and “abnormal” standards shaped both their successes and their blind spots. Together, they explore the emotional disconnect many leaders feel when their vision isn’t shared, their intensity isn’t understood, and their expectations aren’t met.If you've ever felt alone at the top, frustrated that others “just don’t get it,” or caught between your future self and your current reality, this one’s for you.🔑 Key Takeaways:Why high performers often create a warped sense of “normal” that others can’t relate toThe emotional cost of resilience, from pushing through injury to avoiding supportHow leadership can feel incredibly lonely, even in successful, growing organizationsThe danger of measuring yourself against an idealized future version of youWhy your team doesn’t “get it” yet, and how to help them catch the visionHow to balance big-picture ambition with clear communication and compassionWhat to ask yourself when you feel misunderstood or disconnected as a leader🔗 Resources & Mentions:💬 Join the Founders Catalyst Community on LinkedIn🌐 Lee Povey’s Coaching & Leadership Work🌐 Steve Mellor's Executive Coaching If you found this episode relatable or valuable, share it with another leader or founder in your circle. Be sure to follow The Founder’s Catalyst on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. And if this hit home for you, leave us a quick review, it means the world and helps us reach more high-performers navigating the same challenges.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

Lee Povey and Steve Mellor are leadership coaches and hosts of The Founders Catalyst, a podcast dedicated to helping founders, executives, and rising leaders navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth. With decades of combined experience in elite sports, executive coaching, and team development, Lee and Steve offer real-world insights, sharp coaching tools, and thought-provoking conversations for the modern leader.📝 Episode Summary:In this milestone 20th episode of The Founders Catalyst, hosts Steve Mellor and Lee Povey dive deep into the power and necessity of emotional regulation for leaders. Building on themes from the previous episode about ego, this conversation explores how unregulated emotions can derail communication, relationships, and business outcomes, and how curiosity, awareness, and conscious choice can lead to more effective leadership.Lee and Steve share personal stories, coaching insights, and practical tools that help leaders move from reactivity to responsibility. You’ll learn how our evolutionary psychology wires us to react, and how you can rewire those instinctual responses to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.🔑 Key Takeaways: Emotional regulation is a leadership superpower, it's not about suppressing emotion, but understanding and channeling it.The fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response is hardwired, but not destiny, you can reprogram your reaction.Understand your triggers: texts like “We need to talk” often prompt fear or assumption, but rarely mean what we expect.Replacing assumption with curiosity is critical for clear communication and relational trust.Leaders must recognize both internal (self-awareness) and external (others’ behavior) influences on emotional responses.Emotional regulation is best practiced in community, not in isolation, vulnerability builds trust.Coaching provides a powerful container for developing this regulation and improving team dynamics.Resources & Mentions:Lee Povey CoachingSteve Mellor – Growth Ready CoachingAbove and Below the Line model – The Conscious Leadership GroupThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Lee and Steve dive into the elusive and complex nature of ego... what it really is, how it forms, and why understanding it is essential for great leadership. They explore how ego shapes our perception of ourselves and others, its conscious vs. unconscious effects, and the journey from defensiveness to authenticity. With real-life stories, candid admissions, and practical insights, this episode unpacks how ego can either hinder or help leadership depending on how well we understand it.Listeners will walk away with a framework for greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and authentic leadership, plus a few laughs along the way. Key Takeaways:The ego isn’t just arrogance, it's your self-identity, both conscious and unconscious.Leadership starts with self-awareness: know, understand, and then own who you are.How “the shadow” (unacknowledged traits) can shape how we lead and relate.The power of curiosity as a tool to diffuse ego and invite growth.Authenticity builds trust, trying too hard often does the opposite.Parallels between elite sports and leadership: the pursuit of self-improvement.Personal anecdotes on how unresolved ego issues can show up in coaching, communication, and conflict.“Leadership is an act of service”, how humility and vulnerability increase your influence.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

What happens when two high-performance coaches admit they're not walking their own talk? This raw and revealing episode is an honest look into the burnout cycle that even the most disciplined leaders can fall into.Steve and Lee unpack how their carefully curated schedules have spiraled into overwhelm, despite their best intentions, and what that says about the challenges leaders face in protecting time and energy. They reflect on personal experiences, cognitive fatigue, perfectionism, and the sneaky belief that high capacity means endless availability. If you've ever felt stretched thin or caught in the trap of productivity guilt, this one will hit home.Whether you're a founder, coach, or creative, you'll walk away with powerful insights on setting boundaries, embracing rest, and finding the courage to adjust your plans, even when you're the one who made them.🔑 Key Takeaways:Why high-performing leaders are especially vulnerable to burnoutThe cognitive cost of constant context-switching“Borrowing from the future”,  the hidden danger of postponing restThe difference between time management and energy protectionHow emotional awareness can help you break reactive patternsPractical ways to reset, audit your energy, and say “no” with integrityVulnerability as a strength: why sharing struggles helps normalize them🔗 Resources & Mentions:Conscious Leadership Group – The 15 Commitments of Conscious LeadershipLee’s famous smoothie recipe (coming soon in a future episode! 😉)Upcoming episode teaser: A follow-up conversation on how Steve and Lee implemented change and restructured their timeFeeling like you're stuck in the overwhelm trap? This episode is a must-listen. 🎧👉 Tune in now to hear two leadership coaches get radically honest about burnout and recovery 👉 Share this episode with a friend or fellow founder who needs to hear it 👉 Rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover The Founders CatalystThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this real and relatable chat, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey get into one of the trickiest, but most important, parts of being a strong leader: giving feedback that actually helps people grow.They talk about how to share hard truths without breaking trust, and why the relationship behind the message matters just as much as the message itself. Whether you're leading a team, coaching others, or just trying to communicate better, this episode is packed with down-to-earth advice on how to be more effective, not just more direct.💡 Key Takeaways:Feedback is love. Telling someone what they need to hear—when done well—is one of the most powerful gifts you can give.Delivery matters as much as the message. Even the most truthful feedback will fall flat without the right tone, timing, and trust.Rapport is the foundation. Build the relationship first. Without it, feedback may feel like an attack, not a gift.Ask before you advise. A simple “Are you open to feedback?” can unlock a more productive, respectful exchange.Be effective, not just right. Choose the right time and the right words to ensure the feedback can actually be received and acted upon.Focus on growth, not ego. Feedback should invite someone into their potential—not trap them in their current limits.Zone of Genius vs. Zone of Comfort. Great leadership invites others to take the leap into their true potential.🔗 Links & Resources:🧠 Free Feedback Guide by Lee Povey: www.leepovey.com (Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to download)💼 Connect with Lee: www.leepovey.com📣 Learn more about Steve: www.growthready.comThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

About the EpisodeIn this raw and insightful conversation, hosts Steve Mellor and Lee Povey unpack the deeply personal and professional journey of understanding the true value of coaching. Whether you're a seasoned founder, an emerging leader, or someone curious about personal development, this episode dives into the why, when, and how of finding the right coach for your journey. From breaking down internal resistance to practical strategies for choosing a coach, Steve and Lee challenge the common misconceptions and highlight how transformative coaching can be when approached with curiosity and intention.Key TakeawaysThe coaching mindset shift: Coaching isn't just for "fixing problems"—it's about optimizing your potential, like athletes do.You need to want it: Coaching only works when there's internal recognition that support is needed or desired.Start with your network: Before Googling, reflect on who in your life has grown with coaching and why it worked for them.Safety and challenge matter: A good coach helps you feel secure, but also pushes you into uncomfortable (yet essential) growth zones.Interview multiple coaches: Chemistry is key, but don’t just go with the nicest coach—choose the one who’s best equipped to serve your goals.Resistance is normal: Doubts about coaching often stem from fear of the unknown or past bad experiences. The opportunity cost of not exploring coaching can be significant.The coach's role: More than advice-givers, coaches are curious partners who help uncover what you don't know you don't know.Links & Resources🧠 Episode on the Nine Box Exercise 📖 Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers – A foundational personal development book mentioned by Lee.🎯 Learn more about Steve Mellor🧭 Learn more about Lee PoveyThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode, Steve and Lee dive deep into the key differences between consultants, mentors, and coaches—three very distinct roles that often get confused. They explore when and why you might need each, how they can complement one another, and the importance of understanding what kind of support best serves your business, leadership, and personal growth journey.Key Takeaways:✅ Consultants: The Problem SolversHired to identify and fix specific business issues.Typically offer a short-term engagement with a clear deliverable (e.g., a report or training).Their biggest challenge? Organizations often know the problem but struggle to implement the solution.✅ Mentors: The Guides & AdvisorsMentors share their own experiences to help you navigate your journey.Often a long-term, relationship-based dynamic that evolves over time.Mentorship can be reciprocal, where both people learn from the relationship.Not always a formal or paid engagement - many successful professionals mentor to give back.✅ Coaches: The True Growth PartnersCoaches don’t tell you what to do - they help you uncover your own answers.Focused on personal development, mindset, and leadership.Coaching is the most vulnerable and introspective process - it requires honesty and self-reflection.A coach doesn’t need to be an industry expert - their expertise is in human behavior and performance.Most successful people combine all three - they bring in a consultant for expertise, seek out mentors for wisdom, and work with a coach for ongoing personal and professional growth. The key is knowing when and where each is needed.-----Next Episode Preview: Steve & Lee will break down how to find the right consultant, mentor, or coach—including what to look for, red flags to avoid, and how to maximize the value of these relationships.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode of The Founders Catalyst, hosts Steve Mellor and Lee Povey take on a seemingly massive topic - how to live a complete and fulfilling life by breaking it down into a simple yet powerful exercise: the Nine Box Life Framework.Lee introduces this life-changing tool, inspired by Susan Jeffers’ Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, and explains how it helps individuals create clarity, intentionality, and structure in their personal and professional lives. Steve and Lee discuss the importance of prioritization, protection, and process over results, sharing personal stories and actionable insights for listeners to start applying immediately.Key Takeaways:Life is a process, not a result. Fulfillment isn’t a destination—it’s the byproduct of intentionality.The Nine Box Framework: Draw a 3x3 grid and assign each box to a key area of your life (e.g., relationships, career, health, personal growth, community, etc.).Prioritize and protect. It’s not enough to set goals—schedule and safeguard time for what truly matters.Boxes evolve over time. Life changes, and so should your priorities. Reassess your nine boxes every few months.Measure through alignment, not achievement. Success is about living in alignment with your values, not checking off boxes.Try the Nine Box Life Framework for yourself! Sketch your 3x3 grid and start defining what matters most.Share your insights and progress with usb- what did you learn from this exercise?Follow the podcast to stay inspired and gain more actionable strategies for intentional living.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode of Founders Catalyst, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey dive deep into the power of coaching as a leadership style. They explore why the best leaders take a coaching approach, how it fosters ownership and growth, and why adaptability and self-awareness are critical leadership traits.Steve and Lee also discuss the challenges leaders face when shifting from managing to coaching, the importance of curiosity in leadership, and how to empower individuals to take responsibility for their own development.Key Takeaways: It falls under the broader umbrella of leadership and is a powerful tool for developing people.Coaching is about supporting individuals in becoming the best version of themselves, both professionally and personally. Effective coaching starts with intentional curiosity—asking the right questions to understand an individual’s goals, emotions, and roadblocks. Leaders must resist the urge to dictate outcomes and instead create space for individuals to discover their own paths. Investing in building relationships and understanding people deeply at the start leads to long-term benefits and less effort required later.The best leaders are chameleons who adjust their style to meet the needs of their team rather than expecting people to conform to them. When employees take responsibility for their own growth, they become more engaged, motivated, and productive.The difference between a manager and a leader is that a leader takes responsibility for developing those around them.Resources Mentioned:Recommended reading: 10x is Easier Than 2x (on shifting to high-impact leadership and scaling effectively)If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from these insights!Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

About the Guest:Michael Brandt is the co-founder & CEO of Ketone IQ, pioneering ketone-based energy products. An endurance athlete and marathon runner, his passion for biohacking led to a supplement used by elite athletes, military units, and high performers. With an engineering and business background, he started at YouTube/Google before launching his brand.📲 Follow Michael: @michaeldbrandt🔗 Learn more: ketone.comAbout the Episode:Hosts Steve Mellor & Lee Povey chat with Michael Brandt about building Ketone IQ, resilience in entrepreneurship, and lessons from early failures—including a Shark Tank rejection. He shares insights on personal branding, leadership, and overcoming adversity to build impact.Key Takeaways:✅ Resilience Wins – Success isn’t avoiding failure, it’s learning and moving forward.✅ Branding Matters – Founders must be visible; people connect with stories, not just products.✅ The Power of Coaching – Growth requires evolving from individual contributor to leader.✅ Optionality in Business – Never rely on one deal—always create multiple opportunities.✅ Execution > Ideas – Success comes from systems, discipline, and relentless effort.✅ Live Your Brand – Founders should embody their mission; Michael integrates fitness into Ketone IQ.Resources & Mentions:📘 Atomic Habits – James Clear📺 Shark Tank Appearance – Michael Brandt🔗 www.ketone.comThank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this conversation, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey explore the evolving role of coaching in modern leadership. They discuss how coaching is essential for empowering team members, fostering a growth mindset, and adapting leadership styles to meet individual needs. The importance of active listening, creating supportive communities, and the silent gratitude that comes from effective coaching is emphasized. The discussion encourages leaders to embrace coaching as a vital tool for both personal and organizational growth.TakeawaysCoaching requires intentional time and active listening.Modern leadership focuses on empowering others, not exerting authoritarian control.Coaching helps individuals identify their goals and the steps needed to reach them.Leaders should celebrate the growth of their team members, even if it leads to their departure.Effective coaching involves adapting to the needs of each individual.The silent gratitude from team members is a reflection of effective coaching.Surrounding oneself with a supportive community is crucial for leaders.Leaders should prioritize developing their team members' potential.Coaching is about unlocking the brilliance within individuals.Leaders must believe in their ability to be the best version of themselves for their team.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

SummaryIn this milestone 10th episode, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey delve into the vital concept of culture within organizations. They explore the importance of defining culture, the shift from authoritarian leadership models to more collaborative environments, and the critical role leaders play in creating conditions where teams can thrive. The conversation highlights the value of feedback, ownership, and authenticity in leadership while examining common pitfalls that can erode a healthy culture. The episode concludes with a reminder of culture's fragility and the importance of leaders' ongoing efforts to nurture a positive and resilient environment for their teams.TakeawaysCelebrating 10 episodes of impactful leadership discussions.Culture serves as the guiding principle for how an organization operates.High-performing cultures prioritize direct, actionable feedback.Leaders should focus on creating conditions that enable individuals to thrive, rather than merely trying to motivate them.Ownership and empowerment are essential for driving high performance.Authentic leadership builds trust and strengthens organizational culture.Leaders are ultimately responsible for the health of an organization's culture.Avoiding pitfalls such as favoritism, gossip, and blurred boundaries is critical to sustaining a strong culture.Culture is fragile and can be easily undermined by negative influences.Investing time and effort into cultivating culture is as crucial as developing the core ideas of the business.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode of Founders Catalyst, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey delve into the critical role of motivation in personal growth and entrepreneurship. They share insights from their own experiences of uncovering what truly drives them, highlighting the importance of purpose over monetary success and the common challenges associated with New Year’s resolutions. The discussion centers on self-awareness, sustainable change, and breaking down goals to achieve long-term success. Together, they explore the power of intrinsic motivation, the value of community, and the persistence required to overcome challenges. The conversation offers a thoughtful look at how understanding and harnessing one’s motivations can lead to meaningful progress and fulfillment.Key TakeawaysMotivation often stems from a desire to prove personal value.Autonomy is a cornerstone of personal fulfillment.True change begins with understanding the catalyst behind one’s motivation.Purpose-driven individuals often achieve greater success and happiness.Many New Year’s resolutions fail due to a lack of personal, intrinsic motivation.Building sustainable habits is more effective than relying on quick fixes.Understanding what brings you happiness is vital to uncovering your purpose.Long-term results are often difficult to envision but are essential for sustained effort.Fulfillment is complex and cannot be easily measured.Personal journeys of motivation can uncover profound insights into one’s path.Persistence is a critical trait for entrepreneurs, as demonstrated by the Theragun story.Intrinsic motivation is key to maintaining consistent effort over time.Consistency in practice leads to significant improvements and growth.Failure often stems from unrealistic expectations of quick results.Regularly reflecting on progress can help sustain motivation.Motivation cannot be imposed externally; it must come from within.A clear understanding of the requirements for success is essential for progress.Breaking down ambitious goals into smaller, actionable tasks makes them more achievable.Community support is invaluable for founders and entrepreneurs.Finding joy in helping others can be a powerful source of personal motivation.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode of Founders Catalyst Podcast, hosts Steve Mellor and Lee Povey discuss the balance between financial success and emotional fulfillment. They share their personal journeys of leaving successful careers to pursue more meaningful work, emphasizing the importance of mental health and the societal pressures that often dictate what success looks like. The conversation highlights the significance of having a clear purpose and vision, illustrating how true impact often drives financial success rather than the other way around.They also critique the concept of the American dream and its implications for personal fulfillment. The discussion delves into themes of emotional fulfillment, the impact of societal expectations, and the importance of relationships in achieving personal and professional success. Steve and Lee address the pitfalls of comparison, the unrealistic ideals of the American dream, and the necessity of nurturing connections to combat loneliness and enhance well-being.The dialogue emphasizes the need for intentionality in pursuing fulfillment and creating meaningful relationships, particularly for men who often struggle with maintaining friendships. The hosts advocate for proactive engagement in community-building and personal growth as essential components of a fulfilling life.Takeaways:You can achieve both financial success and emotional fulfillment.Personal journeys often involve leaving successful careers for greater fulfillment.Mental health should be a priority in career decisions.Societal pressures can distort our understanding of success.Financial success often follows passion and purpose.Remember why you started your journey.Impact on others can be a greater motivator than income.Self-understanding is crucial for entrepreneurial success.Chasing financial success first can lead to failure.Comparison hinders fulfillment.Accountability to a true mission is essential for leaders.Our bodies signal when we are on the wrong path.Fulfillment is deeply rooted in relationships.Men often struggle to maintain friendships due to societal pressures.Creating community is vital for emotional well-being.Pursuing emotional fulfillment requires intentional effort.Reflect on what you are creating in your life.Friendships can be nurtured through proactive engagement.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode of Founders Catalyst, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey delve into the intricacies of leadership and performance. They explore how leaders can evolve their styles, the importance of authenticity, and the necessity of unlearning old habits to foster personal growth. The conversation emphasizes the role of vulnerability in leadership and the need for self-assessment to enhance effectiveness. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they encourage listeners to embrace their unique leadership journeys and seek support in their development.Takeaways:Leadership is about adapting to the needs of others.Authenticity requires continuous self-reflection and growth.Great leaders empower their teams by trusting them.Unlearning past behaviors is crucial for personal development.Effective leadership is rooted in vulnerability and openness.Self-assessment helps leaders understand their impact on others.Coaching is a vital component of leadership.Leaders should focus on how they make others feel.The journey to authenticity is ongoing and requires effort.Understanding oneself is key to leading others effectively.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this conversation, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey explore the concept of high performance, emphasizing the importance of defining performance, focusing on processes rather than just outcomes, and overcoming fear of change. They discuss the role of community in enhancing performance and the necessity of reflection for optimization. The dialogue highlights the significance of continuous improvement and the fun that can be found in facing fears.Takeaways:High performance requires a clear definition and understanding.Focusing on processes leads to better outcomes than merely chasing results.Fear of change can hinder performance; embracing it is crucial.Community plays a vital role in enhancing individual performance.Reflection is necessary to identify areas for improvement.Marginal gains can lead to significant performance enhancements.Optimal performance varies for each individual based on their circumstances.Surrounding oneself with high standards can elevate performance.It's important to challenge existing beliefs and practices.Continuous improvement is a journey that requires support and courage.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode, Steve Mellor and Lee challenge the traditional idea of work-life balance, suggesting it’s not always realistic or effective. Instead, they introduce the concept of work-life alignment, which focuses on understanding yourself, identifying your purpose, and making choices that fit both. They discuss how life has different seasons that require shifting priorities and highlight the importance of trusting your intuition to make decisions that support your well-being and fulfillment.They also share two practical exercises to help find alignment. The first, The Whole Body Yes, involves asking if a decision truly aligns with your purpose and values—if it's not a clear "yes," it might be time to move on. The second, The Nine Box Exercise, helps break down different areas of your life, assess where you are now, and figure out where you want to be. These tools offer a clear path toward aligning your goals and improving your overall satisfaction in life.TakeawaysWork-life balance may not be a realistic or effective goalWork-life alignment involves understanding oneself and identifying one's purposeDifferent seasons in life require adjusting prioritiesListening to one's intuition and making choices that support overall well-being and fulfillmentRedirecting behaviors and characteristics that no longer serve one's goals The Whole Body Yes exercise helps individuals make decisions that are in alignment with their purpose and values.The Nine Box Exercise helps individuals assess different areas of their life and identify areas that are out of alignment.Alignment is a flexible concept that allows for changes and adjustments as priorities and circumstances shift.Finding alignment and fulfillment in life requires self-awareness, reflection, and the willingness to make changes when necessary.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this conversation, Steve Mellor and Lee discuss the challenges leaders face when considering their absence from their teams. They explore the importance of empowering teams through motivation, the role of goal setting, and the need for trust and authenticity in leadership. The discussion highlights how founders often see themselves as the problem and emphasizes the necessity of creating an environment where employees can thrive and take ownership of their work. The conversation concludes with reflections on vulnerability and the importance of compassion in leadership.TakeawaysLeaders must create environments for their teams to thrive.Motivation cannot be imposed; it must come from within.Goal setting should involve the employee to ensure ownership.Founders often struggle with stepping back from day-to-day operations.Trust is essential for effective leadership and team dynamics.Authenticity in leadership fosters a culture of openness.Vulnerability can strengthen relationships between leaders and their teams.Compassion allows for risk-taking and growth in employees.Leaders should reflect on their own motivations and doubts.Creating psychological safety is crucial for team success.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode, Steve and Lee discuss the importance of relaxation and taking breaks as leaders and founders. They emphasize the need for sustainability and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. They also explore the concept of success and the importance of enjoying the journey. The episode concludes with a discussion on the nine-box exercise and the significance of checking in with different areas of life to ensure balance and fulfillment.TakeawaysLeaders and founders need to prioritize relaxation and taking breaks to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.Sustainability is key in both personal and professional endeavors, and it is important to find a cadence that allows for optimal performance without sacrificing well-being.Success should be defined by impact and fulfillment rather than solely financial gain.The nine-box exercise is a helpful tool for assessing different areas of life and ensuring balance and fulfillment.It is important to regularly check in with oneself and make adjustments to maintain alignment with personal and professional goals.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

In this episode, Steve and Lee discuss the power of storytelling and the impact of limiting beliefs. They explore how our perspectives and stories shape our reality and how to shift from a story-based mindset to a more objective perspective. They also emphasize the importance of doing the internal work to understand our own potential and challenge our limiting beliefs. The conversation highlights the need to take responsibility for our own mindset and the role it plays in our interactions with others and the world.Takeaways:Our perspectives and stories shape our reality and how we interact with the world.Limiting beliefs can hold us back from realizing our true potential.Shifting from a story-based mindset to a more objective perspective can lead to personal growth and effective communication.Doing the internal work to challenge our limiting beliefs is essential for personal and professional development.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.

The Founders Catalyst is a podcast that aims to create a space and a community where founders can come together, share their wins and struggles, and connect with other founders. The hosts, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey, share their experiences as coaches working with founders and offer advice and support. The podcast emphasizes the importance of community and support in the journey of being a founder, and challenges the belief that being a founder has to be a lonely experience. The hosts also discuss the concept of a catalyst, which is the spark that ignites and sustains the pursuit of success. The podcast aims to provide a supportive and competitive environment for founders to thrive.TakeawaysFounders can benefit from being part of a community and seeking support from other founders.Surrounding yourself with high achievers can push you to become better.The earlier a communal component is inserted into the founder's journey, the better.A catalyst is needed to ignite and sustain the pursuit of success.The podcast aims to provide a supportive and competitive environment for founders.Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions to help you thrive in both your personal and professional life.Join Our LinkedIn Group!Become a part of The Founders Catalyst, a free community for founders, start-up executives, and high achievers. Network, ask questions, and participate in our free monthly Zoom meetings. Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional circle. Join here.