Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Dominique Dawes, a three-time Olympic gymnast and member of the iconic 'Magnificent Seven,' discusses the highs and lows of her athletic journey. She candidly shares her struggle with identity and perfectionism, alongside the pressure of Olympic competition. Dominique emphasizes the importance of redefining success and finding fulfillment beyond medals, especially as a mother and entrepreneur. She advocates for change within gymnastics, encouraging parents to protect children from abuse and promote a healthy environment at her gymnastics academy.

Confidence. We all want it. We all need it. But how do we build it? Katty Kay is the author of The Confidence Code and The Confidence Code for Girls, and has spent years researching and studying the science of confidence. On this episode, we look at how a lack of confidence—particularly for women in the workplace-- impacts our leadership, success and fulfillment. In our conversation, Katty shares the magic formula for confidence: act more, think less and be authentic.

In this captivating conversation, Alex Guerrero, the innovative founder of TB12 and Tom Brady's trusted body coach, reveals the secrets behind sustaining peak performance. With over 15 years of collaboration with Brady, Alex discusses the vital role of mindset, recovery, and nutrition. He highlights Tom's unique traits, such as humility and discipline, and shares holistic prep techniques, emphasizing the mental side of training. Alex also delves into goal-setting, the importance of finding joy in achievements, and adapting strategies amidst change.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones, New York Times bestselling author and speaker known for the viral TED Talk 'Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable,' shares stories about moving from Nigeria to Chicago and finding her voice. She talks about using fear as a growth signal, reframing “too much” as a superpower, saying yes to scary opportunities, setting boundaries, and when to speak up for what matters.

Jamie Kern Lima went from Denny's waitress to founder of a multibillion-dollar cosmetics brand. She's the founder of IT Cosmetics, a company she started in her living room and sold to L'Oreal for $1.2 billion, earning her a place on Forbes "Richest Self-Made Women" list. At least that's the highlight version of her story. In her new book Believe It!, Jamie gets real on the hustle it took to keep her dream alive and the countless rejections she encountered along the way. In our conversation, we talk about how to overcome self-doubt, trust your intuition, and turn down the volume on your inner critic so that you can achieve your wildest dreams.

No one succeeds alone. That's the message behind Compass founder and CEO Robert Reffkin's journey and the title of his new book. Raised by his mother, abandoned by his father and disowned by his maternal grandparents, Robert has always defied the odds. He graduated from Columbia in 2.5 years, earned an MBA from Columbia Business School, and worked at McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and as a White House Fellow before starting Compass. One of the only Black CEOs in tech, Robert's mission is to help everyone find their place in the world and realize their full potential. On this episode, we talk about the importance of mentorship, how to build your own network, and the leadership principles that have guided his success.

Ellen Bennett went from a $10/hour line cook to building a multimillion-dollar apron empire by dreaming big. She's the founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, a culinary lifestyle brand that outfits everyone from the home cook to celebrity chefs and makers around the world. In her new book, Dream First, Details Later, Ellen shares her incredible journey. On this episode, discover how to silence your inner critic, turn your ideas into action, and hustle your way to the top.

What leads someone to say "yes" to a request? It might not be what you think. Dr. Robert Cialdini has spent his entire career researching the science of influence. His books, Influence and Pre-suasion, have sold more than 5 million copies and his principles have become a cornerstone for sales and marketing professionals. But the reality is, we can all benefit by understanding the science of influence. On this episode, you'll learn how to become more persuasive by employing these 7 simple techniques.

Cleo Wade, poet, author, artist, and community builder behind Heart Talk, shares how she protects her energy and sets boundaries. She discusses the power of mantras and simple rituals to calm anxiety and hold presence. Conversations cover building a values-led career, knowing your worth, and why being present matters more than constant productivity.

Buck Showalter knows how to build a winning team. He's a three-time American League Manager of the Year and earned a reputation in baseball as a team builder who quickly built contenders. In his 20 seasons in the big leagues, Buck managed the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. His 1,551 career wins rank 24th all-time in MLB history. In our conversation today, we dig into how to build and position your team for success. Buck shares the defining moments in his career, his relationship-based approach to leadership, and how to create a culture rooted in ownership and accountability.