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.

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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.

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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 Takeaways

• Motivation 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Takeaways

• Work-life balance may not be a realistic or effective goal
• Work-life alignment involves understanding oneself and identifying one's purpose
• Different seasons in life require adjusting priorities
• Listening to one's intuition and making choices that support overall well-being and fulfillment
• Redirecting 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.

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