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.com

About 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.com

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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.

Takeaways

• Coaching 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.

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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.

Summary

In 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.

Takeaways

• Celebrating 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.