Episode 13

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Published on:

26th Mar 2026

Ep 13 - Growth Through Discomfort: How Pain, Fear and Stretch Build Resilience

with Alec Pearson, Tiffany Barnard and Nick Sellers.

In this episode of Beyond Leading, we explore a question that sits at the heart of leadership, growth and change:

Can we gain from pain?

When does discomfort lead to progress, and when does it simply wear us down?

How much of what we call “pain” is really fear, stretch, uncertainty or anticipation?

And what happens when the very thing we are avoiding may be the thing that helps us grow?

We explore:

  1. the difference between positive stretch and toxic pressure
  2. why growth so often feels uncomfortable
  3. how leaders, coaches and individuals can think more carefully about what challenge is useful - and what challenge is too much.
  4. fear, self-labelling, resilience, public speaking, personal growth, team development
  5. the role of coaching in helping people move beyond the beliefs and experiences that keep them stuck.

If you are navigating change, supporting others through growth, or trying to understand the difference between discomfort that develops you and pressure that drains you, this episode will give you plenty to reflect on.

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About the Podcast

Beyond Leading
Exploring the reality of leaders, teams and everything in between.
Welcome to Beyond Leading — the podcast that cuts through the noise to get real about leadership, team dynamics, personal growth, and the messy, brilliant reality of work, life, and everything in between.


We’re your hosts, Alec Pearson, Tiffany Barnard and Nick Sellers — practitioners who’ve led teams, navigated pressure, and now coach leaders at every level. We’re here for honest conversations about what it really takes to lead well in today’s world.


This isn’t another podcast full of jargon and glossy success stories. We share grounded insights from decades of real experience — the kind learned in the trenches, not in theory — along with practical strategies that genuinely stick.


And one thing we’re clear on: we don’t claim to have all the answers. Every leader, every team, every situation is different. What we want to do is spark ideas, open new ways of thinking, and give you space to reflect on what will work in your world. If an episode helps you see a familiar challenge differently, we’ve done our job.


Every fortnight, we dive into the challenges ambitious leaders and teams are facing right now — from building trust and navigating tough CEO dilemmas to handling soft burnout, staying relevant, or simply keeping pace when everything feels like too much.


You’ll hear personal reflections, plenty of laughs, some sharp truths, and inspiring guests who’ve lived it, led through it, and grown because of it.


If you're a leader, a team player, a business owner, or someone who wants to show up better and move forward with more purpose, this podcast is your space.


Subscribe and join us every two weeks for conversations that challenge the status quo, spark real growth, and help you lead beyond the title.


To download a factsheet for any of our episodes please visit: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episodefactsheet

🎙 Let’s go beyond leading — and everything in between.

About your hosts

Alec Pearson

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I’m Alec Pearson, a Non-Executive Director, Board Advisor and Executive Coach with over 30 years’ experience working across sectors including professional services, law, technology, manufacturing, transport and founder-led businesses. I work with boards and senior leaders when decisions feel heavier than they used to, complexity is rising, and clarity really matters. My perspective blends independent board-level challenge with a coaching lens — pragmatic, people-aware, and focused on helping leaders think clearly and lead well through growth, change and uncertainty.

Tiffany Barnard

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I spent over 25 years leading teams and running a business in Tanzania, and those experiences shaped how I see leadership today. Now, I coach leaders around the world to communicate with impact, build trust, and lead in a way that feels true to them. The best part of my work is watching that moment when they realise what’s possible — and step into it. You can find me on LinkedIn if you’d like to connect.

Nick Sellers

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Even leaders need a helping hand to achieve their potential. I bring decades of corporate experience and a keen interest in people to my coaching and mentoring activities. And I really like to help those who want to grow and develop.
For more information, you can find me on LinkedIn and schedule a quick call.