Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Derrick Hayes, the founder of Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, shares his inspiring journey from a gas station eatery to a thriving restaurant chain. He discusses overcoming a troubled past, emphasizing how resilience and second chances shaped his path. Derrick highlights the importance of community, uplifting others while pursuing success, and the lessons learned from family influence. He also opens up about balancing personal and professional life as a growing entrepreneur, showcasing the power of grit and authenticity.

Learn how top athletes optimize their energy for peak performance and how to reclaim control over your own energy management. Discover the significance of prioritizing and being intentional in various life engagements, setting boundaries, and proactively managing your time for success.

Damon West has an incredible journey of transformation and redemption that you won’t want to miss. A promising college football quarterback, Damon seemingly had it all before a career-ending injury spiraled into drug addiction. By his early professional years, Damon was hooked on meth and running a burglary ring to fuel his habit. Sentenced to 65 years in a Texas maximum-security prison, Damon found sobriety and a new purpose in life.  Since his parole more than seven years later, Damon has dedicated his life to inspiring others. Today he is a much sought-after speaker and best-selling coauthor of “The Coffee Bean” with Jon Gordon. On this episode, we talk about overcoming adversity, transforming your environment and the power of mindset.

Have you ever had to deal with difficult people? You know, the ones who make you cringe when you see their name pop up on your phone? Maybe it's your boss, a demanding client, or a high-maintenance family member. On this episode, I’m tackling a universal challenge: dealing with difficult people. I share my own experience working with a particularly challenging boss early in my career—and what I learned about shifting perspective and managing energy in these situations. I break down strategies for navigating difficult relationships and reveal how you can transform challenging interactions into opportunities for growth and connection.

What if everything we’ve been told about happiness is wrong? So wrong that it’s making us miserable? On this episode, I chat with Stephanie Harrison, an expert in the science of happiness and the creator of the New Happy philosophy. Stephanie's journey began when she realized that having everything she ever wanted still left her feeling deeply unhappy. Over the next ten years, she set out to discover what truly makes people happy, and her findings might surprise you. Stephanie has compiled her insights into her debut book, New Happy. We discuss the three lies that society tells us about happiness: that we need to be perfect, constantly achieve more, and do everything alone. We'll also explore a counterintuitive truth: to be truly happy, we need to help others find happiness.

How do we navigate change that’s unexpected? This is a question that I’ve found a lot of people are struggling with today. Change is inevitable, whether it's in our personal lives, careers, or society at large. It's like that surprise guest who shows up uninvited when you least expect it… and is here to stay. While we can't always control change, we do have some say in how we respond to it. That doesn’t make it easy though!   Here are three questions to help you get back on track when life throws you a curveball:  What can I control in this situation? How can I shift my mindset? Is there a silver lining or hidden potential within this change? By asking ourselves these questions, we can begin to navigate the unexpected with a bit more grace and resilience.   

In this episode, leadership expert John Maxwell shares his insights on asking, "Are people better off because you’re leading them?" With decades of experience as a bestselling author and coach, John highlights the principles from his latest book, High Road Leadership. He discusses the essence of transformational leadership, emotional resilience during crises, and the importance of action over intention. Through inspiring anecdotes, he emphasizes growth over mere goals and the value of mentorship in nurturing future leaders.

Explore the intriguing distinction between achievement and fulfillment. Discover how achievement can often feel fleeting, while true fulfillment is rooted in purpose and values. The host shares personal insights and challenges listeners to reflect on their aspirations. Are you chasing success or meaning in life? Three reflective questions guide this journey of self-discovery: What am I chasing? Why? Do I like who I am becoming? Dive in to understand the importance of meaningful growth and the pursuit of genuine satisfaction.

Dr. Casey Means, a Stanford-trained physician and co-founder of Levels, dives into the vital importance of metabolic health and its ties to chronic diseases like diabetes and depression. She shares five key tests for evaluating metabolic health and unveils the 'Good Energy Eating Plan' with principles for a healthier diet. Listeners are encouraged to eliminate certain foods for better energy and explore how continuous glucose monitoring can empower their health decisions. Plus, exciting on-the-go snack ideas are highlighted to maintain stable blood sugar!

Marcus Freeman, head coach at Notre Dame, shares his dynamic journey from standout player to NCAA leader. He discusses embracing adversity and the importance of authentic leadership. Freeman highlights the challenges of transitioning from player to coach while nurturing strong relationships with athletes. He emphasizes the balance between honoring tradition and innovating for the future. With profound insights on mentorship and personal growth, he encourages listeners to filter feedback and embrace challenges as a path to success.