Our History

From Elite Athlete to High-Performance Coach

GrowthReady was founded by Steve Mellor, a former world-ranked swimmer and Olympic coach, who transformed his competitive mindset into a blueprint for success in business and leadership. His journey—from competing at the highest levels of swimming to coaching top executives and teams—shaped GrowthReady’s mission: to equip leaders with the tools to thrive in high-stakes environments.

Coach Steve Mellor: A Born Competitor and Catalyst for Optimal Performance

Steve Mellor is an accomplished executive coach, facilitator, and speaker with a rich history of excellence in both sports and corporate leadership. He is the founder of GrowthReady, a coaching company that specializes in guiding high-stakes executive teams and business owners towards achieving personal and professional growth.

Known for his dynamic coaching style, Steve’s unique approach emphasizes the importance of personal investment as a key driver for business success, helping leaders unlock their full potential in high-pressure environments.

Before founding GrowthReady, Steve was the driving force behind Career Competitor, a coaching firm that focused on individual career development. This background gave him a deep understanding of what it takes to excel in competitive fields, whether in sports, business, or personal achievement. His extensive experience coaching athletes and executives allows him to navigate complex team dynamics and offer tailored advice to help leaders thrive.

Steve’s journey began in the world of elite sports. Originally from England, he rose to international prominence as a top-50 world-ranked swimmer, competing at the highest levels. His dedication to the sport eventually led him to become a celebrated coach, most notably guiding Louisiana State University’s (LSU) first-ever U.S. Olympic swimmer, Brooks Curry. Under Steve’s mentorship, Curry’s performance earned a place in the U.S. team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

This journey is chronicled in Steve’s book, SHOCK THE WORLD! A Competitor’s Guide to Realizing Your Potential, where he shares insights on building resilience and achieving extraordinary outcomes under pressure.

Beyond his accomplishments in sports, Steve has successfully transitioned his competitive mindset to the business world. As a former U.S. Olympic swim coach, Steve draws from the lessons he learned in athletics to help executives and teams perform at the highest level. His coaching philosophy is built on the foundation of competition, discipline, and accountability—qualities that drive leaders to overcome challenges and create sustainable success. His work includes crafting strategies for personal and team growth, cultivating leadership skills, and optimizing team performance for executives and entrepreneurs across industries.

Steve is also a podcast host, regularly engaging with leaders and athletes in insightful conversations about personal development and leadership on his GrowthReady Podcast. His engaging and approachable style makes him a sought-after speaker and coach, inspiring business leaders to embrace the competitive edge necessary for success in today’s fast-paced world.

In addition to his professional achievements, Steve is a devoted husband and father, balancing his demanding career with a strong commitment to family life. His personal and professional life are testament to his philosophy that success requires focus, discipline, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Whether in the pool or the boardroom, Steve Mellor’s legacy is defined by his ability to inspire others to reach new heights and unlock their untapped potential.