What happens when grit—one of the most celebrated traits in leadership—actually starts to work against you?

In this powerful and reflective conversation, I sit down with Dawn Wolfgram, a seasoned executive, mother, and trusted mentor in the insurance industry. Dawn opens up about learning to balance hustle with wisdom, and how she had to reevaluate the very mindset that helped her rise through the ranks.

We talk about burnout, boundaries, and the subtle ways ambition can disconnect us from our true priorities. Dawn shares how a life-altering moment with her daughter reframed everything she thought she knew about leadership, success, and being present.

Whether you’re climbing the ladder or leading from the top, this episode is your reminder that grit is powerful—but it’s not everything.

• Why grit without self-awareness can become a liability.
• The moment that caused Dawn to shift her entire leadership style.
• How to lead from values, not just goals.
• Red flags that you're pushing too hard—and what to do instead.
• The gift of grace when you're learning to lead differently.
• Practical tools for reevaluating your definition of success.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Video Mentioned:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTnHN8YDUuE

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Welcome + Dawn’s leadership background
• 04:22 - What “grit” looked like in her early career
• 08:05 - When pushing hard starts pushing people away
• 12:17 - A wake-up call moment with her daughter
• 15:50 - Choosing presence over performance
• 18:30 - The hardest leadership lesson she learned
• 21:55 - How to reframe success in a burnout culture
• 25:40 - What Dawn would tell her younger self
• 28:10 - Living and leading from a deeper place
• 30:00 - Final thoughts and encouragement

Welcome back to the Inspiration Podcast!

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down one of the three foundational keys that has guided my approach to leadership for decades: Psychological Safety. From boardrooms to ballfields, I’ve seen that creating a space where people feel safe to show up authentically is essential—not just for performance, but for long-term trust and growth.

I take you back to a pivotal moment from my early leadership days, when a vulnerable team member opened up about his struggles—and how that moment changed everything for me. That conversation taught me more about connection, courage, and leadership than any textbook ever could.

Whether you lead a company, a team, a classroom, or a family, what I share today will inspire you to reexamine how you create (or miss) moments of psychological safety for the people around you.

🔑 Inside This Episode:

• The true meaning of psychological safety—and why it matters
• A powerful story from early in Stan’s leadership journey
• How vulnerability and performance go hand-in-hand
• Why consistency is a cornerstone of trust
• Practical ways to create safety and clarity for those you lead
• 🎯 Final Thought

Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people. And when people feel seen, safe, and supported, they will surprise you every time. Let’s build teams and families where that kind of trust is the norm.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro: One of the 3 keys to leadership
• 01:15 – The importance of psychological safety
• 02:48 – A personal story about leading through vulnerability
• 05:30 – Why consistency builds trust and confidence
• 08:22 – Creating a safe space for people to speak up
• 10:40 – Final reflections and practical application

What happens after the standing ovation? When the lights dim, the medals are packed away, and the cheering stops—what’s next?

In this episode of The Inspiration Podcast, I sit down with Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson Caldwell to talk about life beyond the podium. Carly’s story isn’t just about winning big—it’s about starting over, holding on to faith through personal storms, and discovering purpose that outlasts performance.

Carly Patterson knows what it means to win at the highest level. As the 2004 Olympic All-Around Champion in women’s gymnastics, she reached the top of her sport before she was even 17. But what happens when your defining chapter closes before adulthood even begins?

In our conversation, Carly shares the highs of her Olympic journey and the honest, lesser-known lows that followed—from injury and identity loss to starting over in music, marriage, and motherhood. We also talk about faith, fear, and how setbacks can become setups for something far more meaningful.

This episode is full of wisdom for athletes, dreamers, high achievers—and anyone trying to find joy and direction after a big life transition.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• What it took to go from 76th place to Olympic gold in just three years
• How Carly learned to handle pressure, nerves, and the weight of a nation watching
• Why post-Olympic life was harder than she expected—and how she rebuilt from it
• Carly’s take on “identity after achievement” and why it’s critical for lasting growth
• The role of faith, family, and her battle with postpartum depression
• Practical encouragement for anyone reinventing themselves after a major milestone
  
  

Links:

• https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com
• Carlyspeaks.com
• Carly's LI profile: linkedin.com/in/carly-patterson-a1b23a162

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome and intro to Carly Patterson Caldwell
• 1:50 – From 76th to 1st: Carly’s early gymnastics journey
• 5:00 – Dealing with pressure and learning to perform under nerves
• 8:30 – The day she won Olympic gold—and how it really felt
• 10:45 – Life after the Olympics: the identity shift and letting go of gymnastics
• 13:00 – Carly’s music career: chasing a new dream and navigating setbacks
• 16:30 – Faith, motherhood, and learning to ask for help
• 20:00 – Carly’s journey through postpartum depression and the power of vulnerability
• 24:30 – Why your worth isn’t tied to your work or your wins
• 27:00 – Encouragement for others navigating big life transitions
• 30:00 – Final words of wisdom and how to stay connected with Carly