Steve Mellor’s story hits a nerve so many high performers share. He was building a career in the U.S. as an elite swim coach when a visa breakdown sent him back to England overnight. He spiraled, shut people out, and then heard a small inner voice ask better questions. That moment became his pivot from blaming circumstances to building self-ownership. In this conversation, we unpack his “chip on the shoulder” philosophy, how to flip it from resentment to fuel, and why closing the gap between your current state and your desired future is a daily behavioral practice, not a one-time breakthrough. If you’ve felt stuck, defensive, or “great but not yet elite,” this episode gives you clear ways to turn that edge into energy and move forward with intention.

Key Takeaways:

• How to turn a “chip on your shoulder” from an outward barrier into inward rocket fuel that drives consistent progress.
• A simple gap model to spot where you are vs. where you want to be—and how to bridge it with behaviors you control.
• Why raising your minimum standards (the floor) naturally elevates your potential (the ceiling).
• A fast check for stuckness: is it actually being lost, avoidant, doubtful, or making excuses—and what to do next.
• How acceptance beats judgment when you’re changing habits, so growth becomes easier to repeat.

Steve Mellor is a high-performance coach and author who helps individuals and organizations get “growth ready.” Drawing on his background as an elite swim coach and his own journey through setbacks, Steve teaches people how to transform the “chip on their shoulder” into fuel for lasting success. His work focuses on raising standards, bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and mastering the daily behaviors that lead from great to elite.

https://www.stevemellorspeaks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellor/

Steve’s book: Shock the World! - https://a.co/d/eumPf3G

About Rebecca:

In 2008, I blew up my life in spectacular fashion. I left a rule-based religious group, divorced, and lost the few people I had leaned on. I thought greener grasses awaited me. I was wrong. Despite building a wildly successful digital marketing business and growing my family to four kids, I felt nothing but dread each morning.

Then came what I now call Epiphany Town. It was that electric moment when I stopped defining my life by what happened to me and began building on purpose. That phase lit me up in a way I had never felt. Now I devote every ounce of my energy to guiding others through their own version of Epiphany Town. I help them forgive their past, let go of self-sabotaging stories, and leap into a life that is meaningful and deeply fulfilling.

I believe each of us has a story to tell, a gift to offer, and a life worth waking up for. Whether your goal is to impact one person or a million, I am here to help you see your place, claim your voice, and live your life on your terms.

https://rebeccamountain.ca/

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