Win More, Live Better

Wherever you go, your attention goes with you. So why wouldn’t you deliberately train it? In this episode, Zach explores how training attention can strengthen other mental skills, why calm isn’t necessarily the goal of meditation, and what it means to develop greater stability in the moments that matter most. Learn More About Zach: Zach's Email -- Zbrandon1022@gmail.com Reserve a seat at the...

How do you respond and adapt when you confront conditions you didn't prepare for? In this episode, Zach shares the remarkable story of a world-renowned pianist who was forced to perform on an instrument that was far from what he expected and created something extraordinary by adjusting the way he played. Through lessons from music, Roger Clemens, and a professional hitting coach, Zach explore...

Josh Steinbach is the head volleyball coach at Villanova University, where he is entering his 20th season and has become the winningest coach in program history with more than 300 career victories. Before arriving at Villanova in 2007, Josh's coaching journey included stops at San Diego Mesa College, Penn State, University of Cincinnati, and Wright State. During his time at Villanova, Josh ha...

Why do some lessons stick with us for years while others disappear almost immediately? In this After the Whistle segment, Zach builds on a lesson from his conversation with Maryland Basketball's Josh Chambers about the role emotion plays in learning. Zach discusses why information alone isn't always enough to create engagement or change and how emotion influences what captures our attent...

In this From the Other Side of the Mic episode, Zach joins Colin Jonov on The Playbook podcast to discuss the paradoxes of leadership, the role of identity and values in decision-making, and how preparing for adversity, not avoiding it, helps people sustain excellence over time. They also discuss the hidden costs of ambition, balancing professional success with the responsibilities of family, and...

The words leaders choose to recognize often become the behaviors people repeat. In this episode, Zach distinguishes between the three types of recognition: Compliments, praise, and feed-forward. He explores how great leaders not only acknowledge success, but also provide the clarity people need to continue growing. Learn More About Zach: Download my free Win More, Live Better Leadership Playbook h...

Most leaders focus on becoming someone others can trust, but far fewer ask an equally important question: Am I willing to trust others? In this episode, Zach explores the often-overlooked distinction between being trustworthy and being trust willing through the remarkable story of Charles Blondin's historic tightrope walks across Niagara Falls.  Learn More About Zach: Download my free Win Mor...

What if the biggest competitive advantage your team has isn't your talent, but the systems you build around it? In this episode, I'm joined by Josh Chambers, the Director of Process for the University of Maryland men's basketball program. Josh has spent more than a decade helping build elite college basketball programs alongside one of the game's most respected coaches, Buzz Wi...

Would you rather find out what you’re capable of or spend your life wondering what might have happened if you tried? In this episode, we explore British mountaineer Mo Anthoine’s idea of “feeding the rat” which is a symbol for our human desire for testing limits and deliberately choosing meaningful challenges that stretch your current capacity.  Learn More About Zach: Download my free Win More, Li...

Why do some of our best performances feel almost effortless? Using Josh Kerr's recent world record in the mile, this episode explores a hidden paradox of peak performance: The harder we try to force greatness, the more likely we are to create the very interference that holds us back. You'll learn why flow can't be manufactured and how to gain control by knowing what not to control....

Reading a book is one thing, but actually applying and living its ideas is another. This episode isn’t a list of my favorite books per se, but it is a reflection on eight books whose lessons continue to influence my coaching, leadership, parenting, and perspective years after I turned the final page. Learn More About Zach: Secure your free seat for my upcoming live masterclass session here . Downl...

You won’t always control which thoughts enter your mind, but you can control what you do next. In this episode, Zach uses an unexpected moment during a rainy run to explain two ways we can respond to unhelpful thoughts: Change their content or change our relationship with them. Learn how athletes, coaches, and leaders can redirect unproductive self-talk when possible and continue taking purposeful...

Many of the most important investments we make don't produce immediate results. Drawing from a childhood memory of preparing firewood with his dad and a quote from musical artist John Mayer, in this episode Zach shares how small daily efforts accumulate over time and why consistent preparation creates the confidence to perform when it matters most. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching...

Every meaningful dream comes with fine print. Whether you're an athlete, coach, leader, entrepreneur, or simply pursuing an important goal, the journey will almost certainly take longer than expected, require greater sacrifice, and test you in ways you never imagined. In this episode, Zach draws inspiration from the recent MLB and NBA drafts and explains why understanding the "fine print...

How do you build teams that perform under extraordinary pressure when failure isn't an option? This week, I'm joined by Dr. Suzanne Bell, an organizational psychologist, internationally recognized expert on team effectiveness, and Lead Scientist of NASA's Behavioral Health & Performance Laboratory at Johnson Space Center. Dr. Bell leads research focused on helping astronauts and...

We’re halfway through the 2026 year. Before you rush into the next six months, this can be a great time to pause and evaluate your year so far. In this episode, I share a personal mid-year reflection on the lessons and questions that have shaped my first half of 2026 and the halftime adjustments I’m making for the back half of the year. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Sche...

How do you build a more connected team? According to Hall of Fame NBA coach Mike D'Antoni, it starts with the coaches. In this After the Whistle segment, we unpack why the relationships among your coaching staff may be one of the biggest influences on your team's culture. We also discuss practical ways coaches can create stronger connections, foster trust, and model the kind of culture t...

How do you decide what deserves your time and attention when everything feels important? In this episode, Zach explores why identifying your values isn’t enough, you also need to understand how they’re prioritized. This episode offers a practical way to think about your values and ensure your daily choices reflect the life you’re trying to build. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Za...

Every Independence Day, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest captures the attention of millions of viewers. But few people know the story of Takeru Kobayashi, the six-time champion whose innovative approach forever changed the competition. In this episode, Zach unpacks the leadership and performance lessons behind Kobayashi's success and explains why extraordinary results often come from...

Coach Mike D'Antoni is one of the most influential coaches in basketball history. Following a remarkable playing career in Italy that included five championships, D'Antoni transitioned into coaching and went on to become one of the game's greatest innovators. Over a coaching career spanning more than four decades, he served as head coach of the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Los Ang...

Can a story make something worthless become valuable? In this episode, Zach shares an incredible real-life experiment that demonstrates how a simple story transformed ordinary objects into something people valued nearly 30 times more. You'll learn how great leaders use stories to shape perception, strengthen commitment, and help people connect everyday work to a greater purpose. Learn More Ab...

How should leaders respond to complaints? In this episode, Zach explores the difference between chronic complainers and meaningful feedback, why complaints often contain valuable information, and how coaches and leaders can use curiosity, empathy, and accountability to build stronger teams and cultures. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here Subscribe to...

Most people don't miss the view because it isn't there. They miss it because they're moving too fast to notice it. In this episode, Zach explores why coaches, leaders, and high performers need more "lookout points" in their lives, intentional moments to pause, reflect, and gain perspective amidst the demands of work and leadership. If you've been feeling stuck in cons...

Sonny Cumbie is the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University and one of the most respected offensive minds in college football. His journey through the game is anything but conventional. A former Texas Tech walk-on quarterback, Cumbie spent years earning his opportunity before becoming the starting quarterback and ultimately leading the nation in passing yards and total offense during his...

What if some of the greatest careers in sports history had been judged by their first season? Today's episode profiles some of the early failures and struggles that several top performers faced early in their careers, but also how they responded to them to end up as some of the greatest athletes of all-time. Zach explores why we place so much weight on early results, the stories we tell ourse...