This episode marks the beginning of a new chapter for the show. In this episode, Zach introduces Win More, Live Better and unpacks the philosophy behind the rebrand. He explains why this show will continue to commit to helping coaches and high performers pursue excellence without sacrificing their well-being, joy, relationships, and fulfillment in the process. This episode is an invitation to rethink what success looks like, how it’s sustained, and how coaches can win more, while living bette...
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This episode marks the beginning of a new chapter for the show. In this episode, Zach introduces Win More, Live Better and unpacks the philosophy behind the rebrand. He explains why this show will continue to commit to helping coaches and high performers pursue excellence without sacrificing their well-being, joy, relationships, and fulfillment in the process. This episode is an invitation to rethink what success looks like, how it’s sustained, and how coaches can win more, while living bette...
This episode marks the beginning of a new chapter for the show. In this episode, Zach introduces Win More, Live Better and unpacks the philosophy behind the rebrand. He explains why this show will continue to commit to helping coaches and high performers pursue excellence without sacrificing their well-being, joy, relationships, and fulfillment in the process. This episode is an invitation to rethink what success looks like, how it’s sustained, and how coaches can win more, while living bette...
Today, we're joined by Joe Bohringer, a longtime Major League Baseball executive and executive leadership coach, whose career spans more than three decades inside professional sport. Joe has spent over 30 years working in high-stakes environments at the highest levels of baseball, including senior leadership roles with organizations such as the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners. Throughout his career, he has worked across scouting, player development, and the front office which has provided h...
Fear is one of the most common topics I get asked about and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we explore why fear isn’t something to eliminate, but something to manage. Using the analogy of inflammation after training, we unpack how fear can signal growth and elevate our performances when interpreted correctly. Drawing from insights shared by high perfomers like Mikaela Shiffrin and Nik Wallenda, this episode examines how elite competitors use fear as a signal for presence and r...
Not every voice deserves influence and not every opinion should shape your decisions. In this episode, we discuss why great leaders have the courage to turn their back on the crowd to stay anchored to the mission and committed to their people. This conversation challenges leaders to stop reacting to outside noise and start investing fully in their people. If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call t...
One of the most important reminders we can share with athletes is to not judge your performance or season too early. Like a Polaroid picture, performance takes time to develop. This episode is all about evaluating your growth with patience and perspective and not becoming trapped by assumptions you create from past experiences. If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: ...
Pioneering American psychologist, William James, once told an audience of thousands that a century of psychological research could be distilled into one principle: You become what you think of yourself. This episode breaks down why identity drives behavior and why even elite performers sometimes get in their own way. If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://cal...
A lot of performers chase being the best, but there's an added advantage for those who become the only. The real separator is someone who creates value in ways no one else is willing or able to do. So in this episode, Zach breaks down how limitation creates value. You’ll learn why exclusivity is a performance advantage, how to identify high-impact gaps in your environment, and how adopting this mindset accelerates your influence and opportunities. If you’re a coach or leader striving for more...
Tommy Sheppard's career spans over 30 years in the NBA, which includes most recently serving as the General Manager and President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards. Known for his humility, generosity, and world-class ability to connect with people, Tommy now works as an executive leadership coach helping leaders align performance with purpose. Between his time with the Wizards, Denver Nuggets, and USA Basketball, he's made significant contributions to the sport of bask...
Former UFC fighter, Frank Shamrock, once shared a simple framework for how to grow more effectively with the right people in your circle. This episode explores his Plus–Minus–Equal process and how mentors, peers, and rising performers each play a critical role for you in raising standards and sustaining excellence. If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https:/...
We all know the phrase, “Put your own oxygen mask on first.” Yet many leaders, coaches, and parents struggle to do it. Using two recent conversations (one with an Olympic-level coach and the other an NFL agent), this episode asks a deeper question, "Who in your life puts the oxygen mask on for you when you won’t?" If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calend...
This episode explores why excellence often comes not from adding more, but from deliberately subtracting what no longer strengthens your craft. Borrowing from the film industry, we discuss how great editors shape award-winning films not by cramming in more scenes, but by cutting the ones that are not essential. You’ll discover why deliberate subtraction is one of the most overlooked tools for improving performance and sharpening your communication as a coach. If you’re a coach or leader striv...
Most athletes treat the offseason as a technical laboratory to refine their mechanics and strengthen their physical skills, but sometimes this creates challenges in-season when competition arrives. In this episode, Zach shares a couple of personal stories from his work with Major League Baseball players and a valuable proverb on the importance of building trust in your identity as an adaptable competitor. Listeners will learn practical strategies for improving adaptability and competing when ...
Billy Allen brings a rare blend of experience to today's conversation: Elite performer, coach, author, and longtime podcast host. Entering his third season as an assistant coach and player development coordinator for Stanford’s beach volleyball program in 2026, Billy has already helped guide the Cardinal to a historic success on The Farm. Outside of coaching, Billy continues to compete on the AVP professional beach volleyball tour. A three-time AVP champion and former member of the USA Beach ...
We all love the good days, but our commitments are defined by how we handle the hard ones. This episode reflects on the importance of embracing not only the joyful parts of life, but the difficult ones too. If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscri...
Most performers spend the majority of their lives in repetition in the form of practice, meetings, workouts, conversations, and responsibilities that cycle over and over every day. Today, we’re discussing how to bring more intentionality to these activities through one of my favorite lessons from the Greek mythology of Sisyphus. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or...
This episode explores how old habits, beliefs, and routines “auto-renew” in our lives long after they’ve served their purpose. Zach shares a story about a Major League pitcher "unsubscribing" from a starting point in his delivery and implementing a small adjustment to accelerate his career. Listeners will learn why stagnation carries invisible costs, how leaders accidentally let their environment choose their direction, and how to run a performance “subscription audit” to create intentional g...
Today's guest is two-time Olympian Kibwé Johnson. He joins the show with one of the most decorated careers in U.S. hammer history including being a five-time U.S. Champion, Pan American Games gold medalist and record holder, and a three-time NCAA Champion. He also holds the world record for the combined hammer–discus–weight throw and represented the United States at four World Championships. Kibwé has since built an impressive coaching path through IMG Academy, SPIRE Academy, Southeastern Lou...
What do you do when pressure spikes or the moment starts moving too fast? Using a powerful story from Navy SEAL Mark Owen’s book No Hero, this episode explores a practical framework for staying composed in these moments and controlling the controllables. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to...
Most of us don’t realize we’re being put on trial every single day by our own thoughts. This episode dives into the “mental courtroom” we carry inside us. It's a place where childhood labels become lifelong rulings and where outdated stories shape how we think, lead, and perform. We also discuss a simple 3-step process for challenging our unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more accurate and current beliefs. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my ...
This episode explores the famous story of Muhammad Ali’s stolen red bicycle and how one painful childhood moment became an unexpected spark in his journey toward greatness. We break down why adversity often shapes drive, what research shows about performers who turn hardship into fuel, and how purpose evolves as identity evolves. You’ll also hear how athletes like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Simone Biles have channeled their own sources of motivation. For more practical tools and mindset stories li...
This episode marks the beginning of a new chapter for the show. In this episode, Zach introduces Win More, Live Better and unpacks the philosophy behind the rebrand. He explains why this show will continue to commit to helping coaches and high performers pursue excellence without sacrificing their well-being, joy, relationships, and fulfillment in the process. This episode is an invitation to rethink what success looks like, how it’s sustained, and how coaches can win more, while living bette...
