The Growth Project

As summer approaches, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder challenge listeners to stop drifting through the season and start living with intention. In this conversation, they explore how to create a summer built around meaningful memories, growth, connection, and purpose (not just busyness). From identifying your family's priorities to balancing structure, rest, screen time, and spontaneity, they share practical ways to design a summer you'll look back on with gratitude instead of regret.

In this Growth Spurt, Anthony Alibro shares a simple five-minute routine called "time boxing" that can help reduce overwhelm, improve focus, and create more intentional days. By identifying top priorities and planning your schedule hour by hour, this practical strategy helps ensure your time, energy, and attention are aligned with what matters most.

In this episode, Dr. Gabby Caviedes sits down with Adekunle Olusanya, Owner of Limit Lifters, to explore the intersection of performance, identity, and mental resilience. From overcoming injuries to tackling the pressures of elite athletics, Adekunle shares how those experiences shaped his mission to help young athletes build confidence beyond the game. Together, they unpack the importance of measurable progress, mental health, emotional regulation, and why true growth requires both discipline and presence.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes explores the subtle but important difference between patience and avoidance. While both can look calm on the surface, one leads to growth and the other keeps us stuck. Gabby shares a simple question to help identify whether you're trusting the process or delaying the uncomfortable, and explains why growth begins the moment we stop avoiding it.

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabriela Caviedes unpack why many people handle disagreement poorly and share how great leaders do it differently. They explore the critical shift from proving your point to seeking understanding, breaking down the difference between conflict and healthy disagreement. From managing emotions and asking better questions to aligning on shared outcomes, this conversation offers practical tools to navigate tension, build trust, and turn disagreement into a catalyst for stronger relationships and better decisions.

In this Growth Spurt, Anthony Alibro breaks down a simple but powerful mental shift: third-person self-talk. By replacing "I am overwhelmed" with "(your name) is overwhelmed," you create psychological distance that reduces emotional intensity and sharpens decision-making. This subtle language tweak can help you regulate stress, think more clearly, and respond like you would for a friend, especially in those high-pressure moments.

In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon and Anthony Alibro unpack the realities of imposter syndrome and explain why even high achievers feel like frauds despite clear success. They explore how distorted thinking, fear of failure, and relentless comparison fuel the cycle, and why success often goes uninternalized. The conversation offers practical steps to challenge these patterns, redefine failure, and build authentic confidence by focusing on growth, evidence, and self-awareness rather than perfection.

Dr. Gabby Caviedes breaks down why self-awareness alone isn't enough to create lasting change. While insight can feel productive, real growth requires moving beyond reflection into intentional action and accountability. In this episode, she introduces a simple but powerful mindset shift: asking what your awareness requires of you. If you've ever felt stuck in overthinking or self-analysis, this conversation will help you take the next step toward meaningful, sustained change.

We're excited to welcome the newest member of the AMPLOS team and co-host of The Growth Project, Anthony Alibro. In this episode, Anthony joins Dr. Gabby Caviedes and they explore his journey from neuroscience research to sport and performance psychology. From overcoming performance anxiety as an athlete to training elite military units and coaching executives, Anthony shares how mindset, self-talk, and self-awareness shape performance in high-pressure environments. He unpacks lessons from sport, the military, and business, and explains his mission to help individuals and organizations thrive. Tune in for practical insights on resilience, leadership, and unlocking human potential where it matters most.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes unpacks why failure can start to feel like a pattern. When setbacks stack up, the brain can default to learned helplessness, turning outcomes into identity. Gabby challenges that narrative, encouraging listeners to treat failure as data, not definition. By focusing on what's controllable and making small adjustments, you can shift from feeling stuck to building momentum again.

In this episode, Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon reflect on insights from The Masters, exploring how environment, pressure, and expectations shape performance. From the power of being fully present to the importance of culture, team, and perspective, they unpack what makes elite performance so difficult and what it teaches us about leadership, business, and everyday life. Tune in for a thoughtful, real-time conversation on doing hard things well.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes explores the power of a clear vision. When you can clearly see where you're going, your brain begins to filter opportunities, direct effort, and sustain motivation. Gabby breaks down what makes an effective vision statement (specific, meaningful, and consistently reinforced) and challenges listeners to define their future with clarity; because people don't just move toward goals, they move toward futures they can clearly see.

In this episode, Dr. Gabby Caviedes sits down with Ashley McFeeley, a Mental Health Counselor, to explore the realities of working in sport psychology. From engaging youth athletes and navigating parental involvement to supporting collegiate athletes at the highest level, Ashley shares how mental performance and mental health intersect. They unpack the importance of presence, relationship-building, and continuous learning, revealing that success in this field isn't about having all the answers, but a genuine passion for helping athletes grow on and off the field.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores a surprising leadership superpower: the ability to step back. While many people feel the urge to jump in, fix problems, and control outcomes, great leaders recognize that sometimes the most powerful choice is restraint. Dr. Brannon challenges listeners to reflect on their instinct to intervene and consider when leaving something alone might allow others to grow, solve problems, and build confidence.

In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Drake Bernstein, national championship-winning head coach of the University of Georgia women's tennis team, to explore the hidden reality behind high-level success. Drake shares why chasing wins alone falls short, unpacking the mindset shift from outcomes to purpose that's centered on growth, love for the process, and what truly sustains fulfillment long after the trophies fade.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder challenges listeners to move beyond awareness and into action. Recognizing the gap between who you are and who you want to be is important, but awareness without action often leads to frustration. Milt encourages you to ask a powerful question: what's one brave step you can take today? Because courage doesn't just change your life; it can inspire others to step forward too.

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes explore how mental and emotional challenges evolve across the lifespan, from childhood to midlife and beyond. They break down the unique pressures at each stage, from building emotional awareness in kids to navigating identity, comparison, and purpose as adults. More importantly, they highlight the skills that matter most at every phase and why developing them early can change everything. Tune in for a powerful guide for growing yourself and supporting others along the way.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes reframes a common misconception about confidence. Many people wait to feel confident before they act, but research shows confidence actually grows from experience. Drawing on psychologist Albert Bandura's work on self-efficacy, Gabby explains how confidence is built through small wins, tracking evidence, and repeating under pressure. Confidence isn't given; it's built through action and proof over time.

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Gabby Caviedes explore the psychology of luck and challenge the idea that it's purely chance. They unpack how mindset, perception, and preparation shape the opportunities we notice (and the ones we miss). From reframing setbacks to staying open and ready, they share practical ways to create your own "lucky breaks." If you've ever felt stuck or overlooked, this conversation will help you shift your perspective and take back control of your path.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon challenges the idea that delayed gratification is only a struggle for kids. Many adults expect meaningful goals to happen quickly, overlooking the patience, resilience, and consistency real progress requires. Dr. Brannon encourages listeners to assess their plan, commit to the process, and stay accountable along the way. Because the more worthy the goal, the more patience it usually takes to bring it to life.

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the psychology behind the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. From shocking first-round upsets to the unique pressure of single-elimination competition, they unpack why chaos and predictability coexist during March Madness. The conversation highlights key traits of high-performing teams: strong identity, defensive discipline, experience, and the mindset to "fight with what you have." Along the way, they examine why the tournament captivates fans every year and what its lessons reveal about performance, resilience, and thriving under pressure.

Fresh off the Olympics, where the world's best compete on the biggest stage, Dr. Drew Brannon explores what it truly means to be competitive. Many people say they're "very competitive," but often what they really mean is they struggle to handle losing. True competitors look different: they stay calm under pressure, respect opponents, and focus on growth. Learn how real competitiveness is defined not by emotion, but by composure and character.

In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Gabby Caviedes unpack the science behind multitasking and explore research that shows why no one is truly good at it. While we may feel productive juggling tasks, our brains have limited attentional resources, and constant switching comes at a cost. They break down what multitasking really looks like in everyday life, who is most susceptible to its pull, how it impacts performance, and practical strategies to protect your focus and get better results.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder unpacks the pressure of feeling like you're falling behind. From the trap of comparison to the belief that you should be further along, he challenges the expectations driving your timeline. Learn why blooming in your own time isn't settling, it's growth. Because who you are becoming ultimately matters far more than what you're accomplishing.

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes reflect on the recent 2026 Winter Olympics and what it revealed about high performance, discipline, and the pursuit of meaningful goals. From standout moments to the psychological demands athletes face at the highest level, they explore how principles of elite competition translate into everyday life, leadership, and personal growth.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon tackles one of the biggest performance challenges today: focus. He explains how constant accessibility fuels distraction and pulls us away from what matters most. To do meaningful work, we have to intentionally "starve" distractions and design environments that support concentration. Dr. Brannon shares practical ways to increase drive, improve your surroundings, and be more intentional, giving yourself the best chance to follow through on what truly needs to get done.

Are your expectations driving performance or quietly undermining it? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes explore how leaders can unintentionally create pressure that harms confidence, motivation, and results by expecting too much. They unpack the difference between healthy high standards and unrealistic demands, the impact excessive expectations have on individuals and teams, and the warning signs that something is off. You'll also gain practical strategies to recalibrate expectations, support growth, and lead in a way that challenges people without setting them up to fail.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder explores why forgiveness may be the single most important factor in personal growth. He explains how the inability to forgive (ourselves or others) quietly keeps us stuck, weighed down by shame, resentment, and things we can't control. Forgiveness isn't about excusing behavior; it's about freeing yourself. Dr. Lowder shares how practicing forgiveness creates emotional freedom, clarity, and the ability to move forward with strength and purpose.

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes use the 2026 Winter Olympics, and Lindsey Vonn's decision to compete after tearing her ACL in training, as a powerful lens into resilience, identity, and decision-making under pressure. Her story sparks a conversation about "fighting with what you have," how deeply sport becomes part of who athletes are, and the emotional and mental realities of competing while injured. They explore preparation, risk, self-awareness, and what it truly means to show up when the outcome is uncertain.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores why high standards are crucial to achieving goals. While people often dedicate time to setting ambitious targets, they often overlook the everyday behaviors they allow or tolerate. Goals can be well designed, but low standards quietly undermine progress. Dr. Brannon explains how the standards you hold yourself and your team to ultimately determine performance, culture, and long-term success.

In this conversation, Drs. Milt Lowder and Gabby Caviedes explore the concept of emotional fitness, which is the ability to understand, manage, and use emotions productively under pressure. They explain why emotional regulation is a defining trait of high performers and how it directly impacts decision-making, relationships, and resilience. The discussion highlights the critical difference between reacting and responding, and offers practical strategies to slow emotional impulses, build self-awareness, and strengthen emotional control. This episode reframes emotional intelligence as a trainable performance advantage, not just a personality trait.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes introduces practical post-failure protocols to help you respond more effectively after mistakes. She reframes failure as information, not identity, and explains why high performers don't avoid failure, they recover from it faster. Using a simple three-step process (regulate, reframe, reengage), this episode offers a clear, repeatable approach for learning from setbacks, quieting self-criticism, and re-entering the moment with confidence and clarity.

In this conversation, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder explore the idea of legacy and what we're truly leaving our children and those we influence. While rooted in parenting, this discussion applies whether or not you have kids. They unpack how children pay far more attention to what we do than what we say, examine the "invisible curriculum" we pass down without realizing it, and invite honest feedback from children as a mirror for growth. Tune in for a thoughtful look at what our actions are teaching.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes reframes how we think about rest and recovery, not as something you earn, but as a critical performance habit. She explains why high performers often treat recovery as optional, how lack of rest quietly limits growth, and offers a simple, practical framework for building sustainable recovery routines. This episode challenges productivity guilt and shows how small, consistent recovery practices protect performance, prevent burnout, and help you show up better every day.

Who you believe you are quietly shapes everything you do. In this conversation, Drs. Milt Lowder and Gabby Caviedes explore how identity informs behavior, decision-making, and personal growth. They unpack the importance of owning your values, building a healthy and empowering self-concept, and resisting the pressure to constantly do more, choosing instead a more intentional, values-aligned way of being.

We're excited to introduce the Growth Spurt, our new weekly short-form series designed to complement the full-length episodes of The Growth Project. These bite-sized episodes are built to jumpstart your Monday morning and help power your week with practical insight and clarity. In our first Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon breaks down the importance of properly timing and balancing intensity and consistency in the pursuit of reaching new goals.

Feeling stretched thin? In this episode, Drs. Drew Bannon and Gabriela Caviedes discuss one of the most powerful tools for managing your time: boundaries. They explain why better time management starts with better decisions, not more hours, and how setting boundaries protects your time, energy, and emotions and can dramatically reduce burnout. You'll gain insight into how boundaries create structure, improve focus, and help you protect what truly matters, making it easier to live and work with greater balance and purpose.

Building on the last two episodes focused on reflection and taking action, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes address what often happens next: losing momentum. Most people begin the year with clarity and intention, but slowly drift off the path toward their goals. In this conversation, they unpack why progress fades and why consistent tracking matters. You'll learn how to monitor results, make timely adjustments, and build a feedback loop that keeps your growth aligned and sustainable throughout the year.

Building on their previous conversation in Episode 361 about closing out the year well, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder turn their focus to what comes next: action. While reflection creates awareness, awareness without action can actually increase anxiety. In this episode, they unpack why so many goals and resolutions fade and share what it takes to make real, lasting change. You'll learn practical strategies to move from intention to execution, increase follow-through, and build systems that support sustainable growth throughout the year ahead.

As the year comes to a close, how you reflect can shape how you move forward. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon, Milt Lowder, and Gabby Caviedes unpack why a simple but intentional year-end process is one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional growth. They discuss the value of setting aside focused time to review what went well, what didn't, and what you learned along the way. Learn how thoughtful reflection builds clarity, fuels momentum, and positions you to step into the new year with purpose and confidence.

What if the same mental skills that elevate athletes could transform how leaders and teams perform at work? In this conversation, Drs. Milt Lowder and Gabby Caviedes explore how sport psychology seamlessly applies to the corporate world. Sport is a microcosm of life, teaching resilience through adversity, composure in success, accountability, and the power of teamwork. From handling pressure to sustaining performance over time, they unpack how lessons learned in competition translate directly to leadership, culture, and long-term success in business and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Gabby Caviedes unpack The Power of Visualization, a proven mental skill that activates the same neural pathways as physical practice. They walk through how to visualize effectively: setting the right environment, building rich detail, writing your script, choosing your perspective, and even including adversity. They also highlight common mistakes and the core principle that your brain follows the most emotionally charged picture you create. From a place of quiet strength, learn to visualize who you want to be, not who you fear becoming.

In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with Michelle Seaver, President of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Cherokee Counties for United Community Bank, to explore how true leadership is rooted in community impact. Michelle shares how her approach to banking extends far beyond financial services, focusing on uplifting people, strengthening local institutions, and fostering long-term prosperity across Upstate South Carolina. Her insights reveal what drives United's award-winning customer experience and how meaningful involvement shapes leaders who serve with purpose.

In this Thanksgiving special episode, Drs. Drew Brannon, Milt Lowder, and Gabby Caviedes explore the transformative power of gratitude. They break down what gratitude truly means, share simple daily practices you can start today, and unpack the science-backed benefits for your mind and body. The trio also invites you to join a 21-day gratitude challenge designed to help rewire your brain toward more positive thinking. Join us for a warm, practical conversation to help you appreciate what you already have.

In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with Kathy Ligon, Founder & CEO of HINGE Advisors, to explore how leaders can scale without losing sight of their mission. Drawing on 40+ years in educational operations and more than 400 completed transactions, Kathy shares hard-earned lessons on building value rooted in purpose, people, and community. She unpacks how to grow responsibly, navigate transitions, and stay grounded in what matters most. Tune in for a compelling conversation for anyone committed to meaningful, mission-aligned growth.

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Gabriela Caviedes unpack why stress isn't always the enemy; it's often a signal for growth. They explore how to reframe your relationship with pressure and use it to fuel focus, motivation, and performance readiness. Drawing from both psychology and physiology, they explain what happens in your body under stress and share practical tools to manage it more effectively. Learn how to turn pressure into an advantage rather than a threat.

Confidence isn't something you're born with, it's something you build. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabriela Caviedes unpack the truth about confidence as a skill you can sharpen over time. They explore what strengthens and erodes it, the myths that hold people back, and the mindset and tools that help confidence become a steady foundation rather than a fleeting feeling. Tune in to learn how to grow yours from the inside out.

In part two of this series, Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Gabriela Caviedes move from awareness to application, exploring how to incorporate mental rest into your daily life. They discuss the four key types of rest (detachment, relaxation, control, and variety) and share practical strategies for finding balance in a busy world. Discover how intentionally creating space for mental rest can become a competitive advantage, helping you perform, lead, and live with greater clarity and energy.

You can't perform your best if your mind isn't getting the rest it needs. Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Gabriela Caviedes kick off a two-part series on mental rest, exploring how the demands we face each day shape our energy, focus, and well-being. In this episode, they unpack the three primary types of demands, physical, cognitive, and emotional, and share what it takes to truly detach, relax, and regain control in a demanding world.

We're excited to welcome the newest member of the AMPLOS team and co-host of The Growth Project, Dr. Gabriela “Gabby” Caviedes. In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with her to explore the story behind her path into the world of mental performance. Gabby shares formative experiences in sport, pivotal moments of growth, and the philosophy that guides her work today. Join us as we get to know Gabby's journey and the heart behind her mission to help others pursue better.

Six weeks into the college football season, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer break down the shifting landscape of the game. Referencing Lane Kiffin's recent remark that “dynasties are over,” they explore what's fueling the new era of parity and razor-thin margins across college football. With talent and resources more evenly spread than ever, the mental game has become the true differentiator, placing a premium on a team's ability to prepare, focus, and execute at the highest level.