The Growth Project

The desire to excel is worthwhile and commendable, but on the path to achieving greatness it can be difficult to tell when the line has been crossed between commitment, which is necessary to achieve excellence, and obsession, which results in an unhealthy balance between the pursuit of the goal and the other important parts of life. Drs Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer discuss the distinction between...

We're mixing up the format with this episode to answer some of the most commonly asked questions we receive from our listeners and clients. Dr. Milt Lowder answers questions around who we are as an organization and what we do, but, more importantly, he answers questions related to our philosophy and the fundamentals of what we believe around human performance and behavior. As always, our goal is t...

Most people link pain to a physical injury, but the experience of pain is also deeply rooted in the mind; our perspective and approach to managing pain can have a huge influence on its overall impact. Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with Dr. John Lefebvre, Professor of Psychology at Wofford College and trained clinical psychologist specializing in topics related to physical and mental health, about Dr. Lef...

When aiming to achieve greatness or reach a challenging goal, people will often hear "be about the process" or "just focus on the process" as guidance to stay present and avoid getting caught up in unhelpful internal thoughts about the past or future. This is great advice, but what does "the process" look like? What are the elements that you can control that will set you up for success? Drs Milt L...

The pursuit of excellence is very expensive; it's never promised, but it is attainable. People typically think of the word expense in monetary terms and, although that is a piece of the puzzle, the word applies much more broadly here to mean that sacrifices will have to be made mentally, emotionally, and physically. Drs Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon discuss how pursuing and achieving excellence req...

Regardless of industry, one common aspiration shared by the majority of people is the desire to become successful. Acquiring talented people unquestionably strengthens the team, but there are many practices that can be put into place that will help drive success regardless of talent level. Drs Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon break down ten factors that everyone can apply that will increase the likeli...

Each January we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s incredible legacy and dream for equality, a notion that is just as relevant today and one that should always be at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Drs Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer reflect on Dr. King's lasting impact and, using his vision as the baseline for the conversation, share three key lessons gleaned from Dr. King's power...

Those who reach the pinnacle of their field are typically doing something different than their competition. Dr. Milt Lowder talks with Dr. Drew Brannon, sport psychologist for the University of Georgia football team, about the culmination of elements that resulted in the UGA football team winning the National Championship for the second year in a row, including Coach Kirby Smart's growth mindset,...

We all experience challenges, failures, and struggles in life; what separates those who falter from those who triumph is often how the person perceives the obstacle. Is it seen as an insurmountable roadblock or an opportunity to learn and grow? Kyle Wright, starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, experienced his share of strenuous times in his MLB journey, and talks with Dr. Cory Shaffer about ho...

With 2022 coming to a close, we wanted to revisit clips from ten of our most listened to episodes from throughout the year. We're grateful for the stimulating internal conversations, all the incredible guests, our expanding and loyal listener base, and the opportunity to help you pursue better and maximize your potential. Thank you for listening, we're excited for what's to come in 2023.

Once children enter our lives, personal time often becomes even more valuable and scarce. To help parents and those with busy schedules maintain balance and make the most of their limited time, Brandon Swan, firefighter and former CrossFit Games athlete based in Australia, created Dad Hours to help people train smarter, not harder. Dr. Cory Shaffer and Brandon discuss the origin of Dad Hours, how...

What gets in the way of excellence? What causes teams to underperform? No one sets out to be mediocre, but many people regularly fall short of goals and aspirations for a multitude of reasons. Drs Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore these questions and provide five common road blocks that get in the way of achieving greatness.

Henry David Thoreau championed pursuing dreams fearlessly by writing, "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." This enterprising and visionary approach to life is a perspective put into practice by David Baker, co-owner of Methodical Coffee. Dr. Milt Lowder and David t...

It's the holiday season, which, in addition to spending time with family and friends, also typically means lower productivity at work and coasting through the rest of the year. This creates a unique opportunity to build a gap between you and your competition by continuing to work effectively and intentionally through December. Drs Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer provide four suggestions that will no...

Join Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer as they celebrate the 200th episode of The Growth Project by reflecting on its evolution over the last 5 years. This podcast was created from a desire to help others puruse better in life, but it also has had the added benefit of having a positive personal impact on the AMPLOS team. They share their favorite episodes, how it has helped them rek...

There is an abundance of research highlighting the dramatic positive impact of regularly practicing gratitude. With Thanksgiving approaching, we wanted to revisit a conversation with the AMPLOS team where they explore how to develop a genuine sense of gratitude, which is essentially appreciating and wanting what you already have.

The humanistic approach in psychology, which emphasizes genuine connection, the personal worth of the individual, and truly understanding one another on a human level, is the perspective put into practice by Dr. Douglas Chadwick, the Director of Mental Skills Development for the Colorado Rockies. Dr. Cory Shaffer and Chadwick talk about this approach, Chadwick's unique pathway into performance psy...

Fresh off his first full MLB season pitching for the Atlanta Braves, Spencer Strider reflects on an impressive year that started with being included in the Braves' Opening Day roster and ultimately led to a recent signing of a 6-year contract with the Braves through the 2029 season. Building on a pre-season podcast conversation Dr. Cory Shaffer and Strider had earlier this year about Strider's jou...

It is extremely difficult to become a U.S. Navy SEAL, one of the most elite and highly trained special forces operators in the world. The path to become a SEAL requires intense training, strong mental fortitude, and excellent leadership skills. Dr. Drew Brannon talks with Cameron Johnston, a fromer Navy SEAL, about the process to become one, the mindset needed to be successful, his experiences in...

How do you want to show up for the most important people in your life? What kind of example do you want to set? What does winning at home look like for you? Coming off of a recent men's event that focused on being intentional and committed in fatherhood, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore these questions, share personal experiences, and provide ideas on creating a blueprint that will help y...

Great team players, those who put the group ahead of their own self-interest, are always in demand and unquestionably have a positive impact on productivity, culture, and team morale. Beyond some innate characteristics that make someone inherently more or less likely to be a team player, there are some intentional practices a leader can put into place that will encourage a team-first mindset. Drs....

The highest grossing movie worldwide so far in 2022 is Top Gun: Maverick; it's so popular that it's become the 11th highest grossing film of all time. Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon were among the many people who watched and enjoyed the film, so they felt it would be fitting to use the movie as a framework to discuss key lessons learned from the film that can be applied in everyday life.

Most leaders know that a strong team culture leads to positive results across the board, including higher satisfaction and retention among team members, increased innovation, and higher performance. Developing a great culture is crucial for a team or organization to perform at its best, but defining and embedding culture is often more elusive and difficult to put into practice. To help with this p...

"Fully realized" people radiate confidence, have a deep understanding of who they are and what they stand for, and possess a strong sense of contentment and balance in life. A prime example of a fully realized person is entrepreneur and business pioneer, Velda Hughes, who exemplifies what it looks like to truly live life to the fullest. Dr. Milt Lowder and Velda discuss her journey to start her ow...

It's a risk to start a business and if it's going to be successful, it's crucial to invest maximum effort and truly give it your all. Dr. Drew Brannon talks with entrepreneurs Stuart Wyeth, Ross Kester, and Tyson Smoak, the founders of commercial real estate company, Pintail, about their experiences building their company, how their different skills complement one another, and key lessons learned...