The Self-Leadership Lab

Coach Matt Lovitt has logged over 20,000 hours of coaching CEOs, pro athletes, and everyday people looking to transform their health. In this episode, Matt shares how fitness became his path to safety and confidence, why walking may be the most underrated fat-burning tool, and how accountability and consistency matter more than perfection. What You’ll Learn: - Why environment and mindset keep so m...

In this episode, Bobby Shelton sits down with Gregg Swanson, a certified mental strength and peak performance coach with over 20 years of experience. Greg is on a mission to help ambitious professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs flip the burnout script and reconnect deeply with their purpose without sacrificing their health or values. As the founder of Warrior Mind Coaching, Gregg has worked...

In this powerful and deeply insightful episode, Bobby welcomes the very first guest to the Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard Podcast, Stacey Brake. Stacey is a seasoned coach specializing in helping people heal from trauma and anxiety, guiding them toward joy, presence, and peace. Together, Bobby and Stacey dive into: - Understanding Trauma – How it’s not what happened to you, but how your body responds. -...

In this episode, Bobby Shelton dives deep into the concept of self-determination—what it is, why it’s critical for personal and professional growth, and how it ties directly into the Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard method. You’ll learn how autonomy, competence, and relatedness form the foundation of lasting determination, and why it’s often more powerful than motivation alone. Bobby breaks down seven comm...

In this episode, Bobby explores the myth of external motivation and why self-motivation is an essential pillar of self-leadership. Drawing from personal stories and the core components of self-leadership theory, Bobby challenges the belief that motivational speakers or outside forces can sustain your long-term growth. Instead, he walks through three key self-leadership strategies—behavioral focus,...

In this episode of Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard, Bobby Shelton unpacks the powerful self-leadership lessons hidden in Scottie Scheffler’s reflections after winning the 2025 British Open. Despite dominating his sport, Scheffler reminded the world that winning is not the point—purpose is. From walking away from golf if it ever jeopardized his family to saying “golf is not who I am,” Scheffler reveals a m...

A small gesture at a hot dog shop reminded me how powerful everyday kindness can be—and why we need more of it now than ever.

The Dangers of Groupthink Description: In this episode, Bobby dives into the subtle yet powerful force that keeps so many of us stuck: Groupthink. We explore how the desire to fit in can override our ability to think independently—and how that often leads us away from the meaningful, challenging work we’re truly called to do. Through examples from everyday life and reflections on personal experien...

In this episode, we dive into the concept of Hard Hard work—the kind of work that moves you closer to your goals, brings meaning to your life, and helps you become the person you truly want to be. We discuss why most of us avoid this type of work, how societal pressures push us toward “Easy Hard” choices, and how to begin the journey back to yourself through intentional effort. Bobby also shares t...

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of Easy Hard…work that might look impressive from the outside but doesn’t bring real joy, fulfillment, or lasting meaning. He shares personal stories about weight loss, academic burnout, and the subtle traps of living life to impress others instead of pursuing what truly matters to you. This foundational conversation sets the stage for identifying and...

Episode 4: Meaning in Life In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to live a life filled with meaning—and why so many of us are quietly losing it. We explore how doing Easy Hard work that is misaligned with your values, can steal your meaning in life. The good news is it’s not all doom and gloom—we also unpack practical strategies to rebuild meaning through reframing, contribution, and pu...

Episode 3: Purpose, Praise, and the Problem of Doing It for Others In this episode of *Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard*, we unpack a powerful trap that so many high-achievers fall into: confusing purpose with praise. You might be doing all the right things—working hard, meeting expectations, getting noticed—but deep down, something feels off. That’s not a motivation problem. That’s a purpose problem. We e...

We’re taught that productivity means getting more done—but what if that’s wrong? In this episode, we discuss why working harder doesn’t always mean moving forward and how misaligned effort leads to burnout, frustration, and a sense of being stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you're constantly busy but making no real progress, this episode will help you redefine productivity around alignment, not just...

Welcome to the Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard podcast. This pilot episode provides and introduction to the podcast and introduces the Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard Concept.