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Trevor Gauntlett goes Beyond the Blend: The Chemist, the Coach, the Human
In this episode of Beyond The Blend, Steve Knapp sits down with Trevor Gauntlett; consultant, chemist, writer, basketball coach, and cancer survivor, to explore the many layers behind one of the lubricant industry’s most well-respected voices. Trevor’s career spans decades, but it’s the richness of his life outside the lab that brings this conversation to life. From rebuilding purpose after a cancer diagnosis to coaching kids through wins and losses on and off the court, this isn’t a story of lubricants but a story of legacy, empathy, and making every chapter count. Here are the big ideas that stood out.
Identity Beyond the Job Title
Trevor Gauntlett has worn many hats: Corporate technical lead, independent consultant, podcaster, and basketball coach. Which version of himself he introduces depends on the audience, but each one stems from a sense of purpose. In the boardroom, he may lean into his Shell experience. On the court, he’s “Coach Trevor.” This fluidity reflects a broader truth: identity is multi-dimensional, especially when shaped by decades of professional and personal evolution. The takeaway? You don’t have to be boxed in by one version of yourself. Instead, lead with the version that brings the most value to the people in front of you.
Creativity Reawakened by Adversity
Trevor’s early love of writing was shelved during his corporate years until a cancer diagnosis in 2017 forced everything to pause. Confined to a hospital room and in too much pain to sit, Trevor stood and wrote his first article for Lubes ‘n’ Greases. What began as a distraction from discomfort quickly became a reconnection to a forgotten creative passion. That article, born in adversity, reignited his voice in the industry. It’s a lesson in how hardship can unlock purpose, particularly when it creates space for expression. Sometimes disruption isn’t destruction; it’s redirection.
Giving Time Over Giving Money
One of Trevor’s most meaningful contributions is his time. Whether mentoring teenagers in mock job interviews or offering encouragement to young professionals, Trevor has found that time – not money – is the most valuable currency. His approach is simple: listen with empathy, show up with intent, and ask the right questions. Having faced serious illness himself, Trevor meets young people facing difficult realities with compassion, not pity.
He uses conversation as a bridge to confidence, helping others articulate their own resilience. It’s a powerful reminder that presence is what sticks with people long after the meeting ends.
Lessons from the Basketball Court
Coaching basketball has taught Trevor just as much as corporate life ever did. Although he didn’t grow up playing the sport, his journey from fan to coach brought lessons in structure, motivation, and long-term development. While he doesn’t often reference basketball directly in business meetings, the principles of planning, session design, and motivation have carried across seamlessly.
Running a training session, much like running a practice, is about balancing constraints (time, resources) with outcomes (understanding, buy-in). Beyond drills and game tactics, coaching taught him how to lead with clarity and care; skills any team could benefit from.
Movember and the Power of Purpose
What began as a personal tribute to his cancer recovery became a deeply meaningful fundraising movement for Trevor. His first Movember moustache appeared in 2017, as his hair began to grow back after chemotherapy. But it didn’t stop there. Year after year, Trevor continued fundraising, shifting focus from his own story to broader causes like mental health, testicular cancer, and prostate awareness. What surprised him most wasn’t the donations, but the consistency of support. Friends, colleagues (even strangers!) showed up year after year. Purpose builds community.
And consistent action, even something as humble as growing a moustache, can inspire remarkable loyalty.
Energy Transition Demands Clarity, Not Cliché
Trevor has become an authoritative voice on the energy transition, not through hype, but through clarity. He prefers the term “de-fossilisation” over “decarbonisation” and challenges the industry to move beyond buzzwords. For him, the role of lubricants is straightforward: reduce energy use in anything that moves. But the nuance matters. Not all bio-based solutions are automatically better, and lifecycle analysis should trump marketing claims.
He calls for attention to often-overlooked areas like grid energy storage, where lubricants play a vital but less celebrated role. The message is clear: this transition needs pragmatism, not just passion.
Reframing Challenge Through Others’ Eyes
When asked about his biggest lesson, Trevor answers without hesitation: perspective. When life feels overwhelming or uncertain, he recommends stepping back and viewing the situation from someone else’s vantage point. This simple reframing creates space for empathy, for clarity, for resilience.
It’s advice forged in lived experience, not theory. Whether recovering from cancer, navigating career shifts, or supporting others through hardship, Trevor has come to see perspective as a muscle. Strengthen it, and you strengthen your capacity to lead, love, and last. It’s a powerful conclusion to a life story still very much in motion.
Conclusion: The Man Behind the Moustache
Trevor Gauntlett isn’t just a name in the lubricants world. He’s a mentor, coach, writer, and quiet force for good. This episode of Beyond The Blend shows us how rich a career becomes when it’s driven by values as much as outcomes. Whether you tuned in for technical insight or stayed for the story of resilience, one thing’s clear: purpose doesn’t come from titles, it comes from how you show up, time and time again.
