The Pathway to Peak Performance Podcast
Welcome to Pathway to Peak Performance
Hosted by Jock Putney, this channel is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence—mental, physical, emotional, and professional.
Each episode dives deep into the real stories of high achievers from all walks of life: elite athletes, tactical operators, innovators, creators, and leaders who have pushed themselves to the edge and beyond. This isn’t about hype. It’s about mindset, discipline, failure, growth, and the relentless pursuit of getting better.
If you’re driven to elevate your performance—whether that’s in the gym, in your work, or in your personal life—you’re in the right place.
🎯 Real people.
🔥 Real stories.
đź’ˇ Real tools to help you perform at your highest level.
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The Pathway to Peak Performance Podcast
Control Your Thoughts and Turn Rejection Into Momentum | Stephen Steele's Pathway To Peak Performance
🎗️ This episode supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Rejection isn’t failure, it’s fuel. Navy veteran and inventor Stephen Steele was told “no” four times… then patented the Steel Mixer anyway.
What does it take to stay calm under pressure, lead elite teams, and keep going when the answer is “no”? In this episode of The Pathway to Peak Performance, Stephen Steele shares how military discipline shaped his mindset—from growing up in an Army family to serving on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier—and how that resilience helped him build high-performing construction teams and invent the Steel Mixer.
Stephen breaks down how to control your thoughts when things get hard, why clarity of mind determines success, and how to turn rejection into momentum. He also shares a deeply personal story about his sister’s childhood illness and the impact the Make-A-Wish Foundation had on his family—shaping his lifelong commitment to service.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to use rejection as feedback (not a stop sign)
The mindset skills that build mental toughness under pressure
Leadership principles for building high-performing teams
What it really takes to invent, patent, and persist
Why the skilled trades offer long-term opportunity and pride
How gratitude and service create a meaningful life
👉 Watch until the end for Stephen’s framework on leadership, invention, and why helping others may be the ultimate form of peak performance.
If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that resilience changes everything.