Grit and Growth

In a first for the show, we bring on a guest’s client, as performance specialist Drew DeBiasse is joined by baseball pitcher Joshua Carvalho to walk through their work together. What follows is a clear transformation—greater velocity, more consistent composure when things break down, and a noticeable shift in how Joshua leads and responds to his teammates. This episode brings Drew’s performance framework into focus, showing how raising the floor creates stability under pressure and unlocks a more reliable version of performance.

Drew DeBiasse joins us to expose what’s really happening beneath athlete performance—where mental blocks, injuries, and nervous system overload quietly build until something breaks. In Part One, she breaks down the warning signs and explains how regulation, not just skill, determines whether athletes rise or unravel under pressure. This episode sets the stage for Part Two, where her approach is explored through a conversation with an athlete she’s working with, showing how performance can be rebuilt from the inside out.

In Part Two of our conversation with Saskatchewan Roughriders running back and two-time Grey Cup champion AJ Ouellette, the focus shifts from his career to the lessons he’s passing on to the next generation. AJ shares the philosophy behind No Name Athletics, the training gym he founded to help young athletes build strength and confidence before the spotlight arrives. He also opens up about facing fear, developing the right mindset, and how faith has begun to reshape the way he approaches both football and life.

Two-time Grey Cup champion and Saskatchewan Roughriders running back AJ Ouellette joins Grit and Growth to share the mindset behind his journey through injury, roster cuts, and the grind of professional football. In Part One, he reflects on going from college walk-on to pro starter, explains why young athletes need patience more than attention, and describes the quiet confidence that comes from preparation.

In Part Two with Coach Ben Herring, we move from theory to application and explore what it actually takes to build culture that lasts. Ben explains why belonging drives performance and what it means to coach without resentment. Through stories from Japan and reflections on the culture of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team, he shows how connection creates buy-in and allows hard conversations to land. If you care about leadership that shapes people, not just results, this one goes deep.

In Part One with Ben Herring, former professional rugby player, international coach, author and podcast host, we explore where culture really starts.We talk about curiosity as a culture additive and the power of simple daily greetings. Ben challenges coaches to shift focus from X’s and O’s to connection, arguing that how you teach matters more than what you teach.If you’re wondering where to begin with culture, this is a clear and practical starting point.

In Part Two, Matt Thomann shifts from defining “mettle” to building it. He argues that hope and gratitude form real toughness under pressure, then leaves you with a question: Are you building for the next win, or for the long haul?

In Part One, Matt Thomann introduces “mettle” as a healthier definition of toughness shaped by lived experience. Matt reflects on how a cancer diagnosis and a subsequent stroke forced him to reconsider what strength really looks like. This conversation explores how growth becomes sustainable when vulnerability replaces bravado and when faith moves from something you say to something you trust.

Connor Emeny, endurance athlete and author who completed seven Ironmans and leads Dare to Dream workshops, shares raw stories from extreme races. He discusses his Five F's life pillars. He recounts the Philippines ordeal, lessons from mentors, and microdosing discomfort to build mental strength. He teases his book All In and a Chasing Antarctica film.

In Part One, Connor Emeny joins us to share how his decision to pursue an Ironman triathlon evolved into an extraordinary goal: completing one on all seven continents. Connor reflects on why setting a goal this demanding matters, and what the physical and mental toll reveals about discipline, identity, and long-term commitment. This episode explores the value of choosing a path that is intentionally hard — not for the finish line, but for who you’re forced to become along the way.