Grit and Growth

Former CFL lineman Angus Reid returns to unpack his new book Teenager and what he’s learning from coaching, parenting, and working with teens every day. The conversation centers on shifting away from external results toward one internal question. It’s a grounded listen for parents, coaches, and anyone trying to guide teenagers without adding more noise.

In part two of the conversation, Rod Pedersen reflects on leadership from the inside out — what it looks like when trust is real and standards are actually lived. Drawing from his time around the CFL, NHL, WHL, and youth sport, Rod challenges listeners to stop chasing outcomes and start owning the culture they create.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Rod Pedersen joins Grit and Growth for a raw and meaningful conversation about leadership, resilience, and purpose. Drawing from decades around elite athletes and coaches, Rod shares the defining trait he’s seen in the best leaders: they don’t quit. He also opens up about his personal journey through addiction, sobriety, and recovery, and how those experiences reshaped his...

Our most-listened-to episode of 2025 is back! We’re replaying our conversation with Brook Cupps on authentic leadership, building clear personal pillars, and leading with values that actually last. If you missed it the first time, this one’s worth your time.

In this holiday special, Justin and Shane bring in their friend Stephen Clement for a special holiday episode built around one wild story: 44-year-old NFL Quarterback Philip Rivers getting the call to suit up again after five years away. They dig into what it reveals about courage, identity, leadership under pressure, and why “show up and serve” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a decision.

In Part Two, John Olinger unpacks how in 2020 (Kobe’s passing, uncertainty at Nike, and the sudden loss of his dad) forced a hard reset on what “winning” really means. John shares Kobe’s surprising formula for greatness, the difference between accomplishments and relationships, and why your most valuable resource isn’t just time—it’s time, energy, and attention. He also introduces his new role lea...

Justin and Shane sit down with former pro hooper and Nike executive John Olinger for Part One, where they dig into grit, identity, and how to know which things are truly worth chasing. John shares how being the 15th man, injury, and a tiny English pro league shaped his faith, resilience and people-over-projects leadership. If you are chasing a roster spot, a promotion or a clearer sense of purpose...

Our hosts sit down for a special episode to share the heart behind their new book, Significance Over Success. They talk openly about how two years of conversations with coaches, athletes, and leaders reshaped their own definition of growth — and why impact, integrity, and inner work matter more than any scoreboard. A behind-the-scenes look at what inspired the project.

Part two with Brian Smith goes deeper into the real heart of parenting and coaching in youth sports. He explores how asking permission, speaking identity, and reducing pressure can reshape the way our kids experience their sport — including the correlation between rising costs and declining enjoyment.

Brian Smith—Division I runner turned coach, chaplain, and author of The Christian Athlete—joins Grit and Growth to explore how athletes rediscover joy in sport. In Part One, he digs into why so many young players feel pressure instead of freedom, and how identity, faith, and “front-end grace” can change the way we coach and parent. A practical, hope-filled listen for athletes, coaches, and familie...

World-record adventurer and leadership expert Jason Caldwell returns for Part Two of an unforgettable conversation. He dives into rebuilding after failure, choosing the right people over the best ones, and how fatherhood reshaped his view of purpose, courage, and leadership. A powerful close to this two-part story about growth, responsibility, and the heart of adventure.

World-record adventurer and leadership expert Jason Caldwell joins Grit and Growth to unpack what it really means to fail, lead, and belong. From losing Olympic dreams to crossing oceans, he shares raw lessons on ego, humility, and what it takes to be the kind of teammate who makes the boat move faster. This is Part One of an unforgettable conversation about purpose, fear, and finding strength in...

In Part Two, Geoff Glasspell expands on purpose-driven coaching—how competition builds character, why significance matters more than success, and how trust and integrity shape lasting impact. This episode is a reminder that the best coaching creates transformation—not just wins.

In Part One with Geoff Glasspell—coach, educator, and founder of Masterpiece Basketball—we unpack “purpose-driven coaching”: commitment + integrity → excellence, and why he chases significance over success. Geoff shares his “look-in-the-mirror” pivot, how a simple word-of-the-day shapes practices, and the leadership habits that help kids thrive on and off the court.

In Part Two with Jamie Gilbert, a penalty shootout and a locker room in heartbreak become lessons in courage, trust, and growth. Don’t miss this conversation as he unpacks his “compete, don’t compare” philosophy and how situation crafting helps young athletes truly learn and lead.

In Part One of Two, Jamie Gilbert—coach, educator, and Burn Your Goals co-author—explores what it really means to compete without comparison and how true greatness begins with service. Join us for a grounded, heart-first conversation about purpose, growth, and becoming who you’re meant to be.

“From a farm in Saskatchewan to the CHL spotlight, new Head Coach of the WHL Calgary Hitmen, Dustin Friesen has built his journey on hard work and consistency. He opens up about culture, standards, and developing players who value the team over the stat line. Honest, practical, and relentlessly focused, Dustin shares what drives him to coach every day.”

In Part Two, Mano Watsa goes deeper into the principles that make coaching truly transformational. He reveals how PGC empowers athletes by meeting them where they are, raising their own standards, and moving beyond fear-based tactics to a culture of encouragement and growth. This conversation will inspire you to rethink how you coach, parent, or lead—and remind you that real change begins with cho...

In Part One of our conversation with Mano Watsa, President and Owner of Point Guard College, he shares powerful wisdom on leadership, humility, and the power of choosing who you want to become. From launching backyard camps at 15 to now reaching more than 20,000 athletes each year, Mano’s journey shows how vision and character can shape lives. You’ll come away energized with a fresh perspective on...

Jordan Bokser is back, and in Part Two he pulls back the curtain on the supplement world. He digs into hidden industry tricks like “pixie dusting” and proprietary blends, and explains how the right formulations can actually move the needle. From young athletes chasing their dreams to pros at the top of their game, Bokser shows why quality, dosage, and especially sleep can change everything.

In Part One with Jordan Bokser, he opens up about his path from wannabe pro fighter to building brands in holistic health. Also why fear, abandonment, and resilience all play into the pursuit of wellness. If you’ve ever wondered how physical and emotional health collide, this one will push you to rethink what “healthy” really means.

In Part Two of our conversation with Jill Lane, we get practical. From fueling student athletes to helping pros extend their careers, Jill shares real stories and simple foundations anyone can apply. We also dig into the overlooked challenges of female athletes and why modeling good habits matters for every parent and coach.

What does it really take to fuel greatness? In Part One of our conversation with Jill Lane, performance nutritionist to Super Bowl, NBA, and World Series teams, we explore how nutrition impacts not just performance, but health, identity, and longevity. Jill opens up about her own journey from Division I soccer star to elite advisor, and why “championing people” matters as much as fueling athletes....

In Part Two, Jason Romano shares what led him to leave his dream job at ESPN for a calling he couldn’t ignore. He talks about the faith journey that reshaped his identity, the conversation with Coach Tony Dungy that stopped him in his tracks, and why “bloom where you’re planted” became a personal mission. Jason also opens up about his first book, Live to Forgive, and what it really means to forgiv...

Jason Romano spent 17 years at ESPN, producing for SportsCenter, NFL Countdown, and College GameDay. In Part One, he shares what it was really like behind the scenes—walking the halls with legends, geeking out with Darryl Strawberry, and spending a surreal day escorting Will Ferrell through the studios. He also opens up about the identity struggle that came with the job and how a question directly...