Win More, Live Better

Sometimes leadership lessons hide in the simplest family moments. In this episode, I share a story from a recent trip with my family, where my toddler found joy in tossing pine cones through the fence. We explore how a moment of childlike play revealed three important principles for coaches and leaders: 1) The importance of simplicity, 2) the role of presence, and 3) how great leaders make joy rep...

In this episode, we explore a powerful reflection question that can help you eliminate distractions and live with a greater sense of clarity. At the heart of this episode is the notion that the quality of your life is often shaped by the quality of the questions you ask yourself. My hope is that the question we discuss can become a useful and re-occurring tool for you to audit and optimize your ow...

In this episode, we explore a powerful metaphor from the world of horse racing. It's one that can remind all of us on the importance of clarity with our focus. Just like jockeys change their goggles mid-race to see clearly, high performers must do the same when life gets muddy. Whether you're in the middle of a season, a project, or a rough stretch, this episode invites you to reset and...

Ever been halfway through something hard and thought, “What if I just bailed right now and pretended this never happened?” Yep. You’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about the invisible bell we’re all tempted to ring when life gets tough. (Spoiler: It’s not just Navy SEALs who have one). You’ll hear why your brain freaks out when things are uncertain and a famous quote from Kobe Bryant on why...

What if the most powerful school you’ll ever attend doesn’t have a campus, a tuition bill, or a graduation date? In this episode, we explore a modern perspective on mentorship and learning. We discuss the “faculty” we can learn from each and every day at work, at home, and online. We'll discuss how to notice the "teachers" around you constantly, learn from them, and curate a life fu...

Today's guest, Kevin Eastman, has spent over 40 years in the game of basketball, coaching and leading at the highest levels and studying why the best are the best. His career includes 13 years in the NBA as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers, as well as serving as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Clippers. He was a key member of the 2008 Boston Celtic...

Ever find yourself switching grocery lines, hoping for a faster one, only to end up more frustrated? In this episode, we explore what this experience can teach us about patience and performance. We explore the subtle ways we abandon systems too early, chasing speed instead of trusting the process. If you’re tempted to pivot too soon, this episode will challenge you to lean in and keep showing up. ...

Success can sometimes be a trap. When something works, it’s easy to keep going back to it even when the situation calls for something new. In this episode, we explore the Einstellung Effect, a fascinating glitch in human problem-solving that causes people to cling to familiar tactics long after their usefulness has expired. You’ll learn how to identify patterns that no longer serve you and how unl...

People will find a lot more growth in taking the stairs than they will riding the escalator. In this episode, we explore what it means to live with a 2% mindset and the willingness to choose discomfort when others choose ease. You’ll hear how something as simple as taking the stairs becomes a symbol for grit and growth. Drawing from Michael Easter's book, The Comfort Crisis , this is a call t...

Sometimes, the smallest things carry the deepest meaning. NBA All-Star, Kevin Durant’s choice to wear #35 wasn’t a random decision, but rather a tribute and a daily reminder of a piece of his purpose. This episode explores how to make your own purpose more visible and practical so it fuels you along your journey.  For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free...

This episode explores what it means to be the exception , drawing from General Manager Sam Presti’s leadership of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I break down two quotes from him, spoken over five years apart, and you’ll hear why repeating your vision and resisting shortcuts are key ingredients for sustained success.  For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free...

Today's guest is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of basketball. With 1,216 career wins, Tara Vanderveer ranks second all-time in NCAA basketball history. Over her legendary career at Stanford University, she led her teams to 3 National Championships, 14 Final Four appearances, and an unprecedented 36 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. A 5-time National Coach of the Year,...

In the final episode of the "Working In" series, we explore the fourth inner block: Limiting beliefs. You’ll learn why we can’t outperform our self-image and how to challenge thinking that hinders the perception we create for ourselves. You’ll also hear a real-life story of how one phrase shaped a professional athlete’s identity and, subsequently, his career. For more practical tools and...

Your brain is a storyteller, but not all the stories it tells are true. In this episode, we uncover how interpretations (the stories and opinions we form about other people, events, etc.) can trap us in false realities. We'll discuss why awareness is the first step to dismantling these narratives and why the questions you ask yourself can be a valuable tool to re-write them. For more practica...

Your past doesn’t get to decide your future, but assumptions will try to convince you otherwise. In this episode, we examine how assumptions keep people playing small and living a life that is fear-driven. Whether it’s in leadership or everyday decisions, these subtle patterns can hinder our potential. I share a mindset shift that can help you "be a better lawyer" with yourself and start...

Gremlins are our inner voices that whisper “You’re not smart enough” or “You’re not good enough" (or some similar iteration of this). In this episode, we explore how gremlins operate as your Inner Critic and how to start the process of tapping into your Inner Coach instead. We all wrestle with Gremlins, but my hope is that this episode helps you start to release it's negative power and s...

We train our bodies to get stronger, but what about our minds? In this opening episode of a new 5-part series, we explore the concept of “working in” and why inner work, not tactics, is the key to your next breakthrough. Because most people don't need a new skill or tactic, they just need to enhance what they're telling themselves and what they're listening to. For more practical to...

Today's guest is a three-time World Series champion, the 1998 World Series MVP, a National Championship-winning head coach, and a Olympic gold medalist. Scott Brosius is currently in his second year as the Vice President of Athletics for Linfield University. Following a 11-year career in the Major Leagues (including one All-Star season in 1998), Brosius returned to his alma mater (then Linfie...

Today’s episode wasn’t what I planned, but it’s what I needed to share. I read a beautiful reflection about a father’s legacy and the lessons it can offer to all of us to live better and more fulfilling lives. I hope, like me, it helps you slow down and think of someone in your own life you might share these lessons with. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to...

What do a Ferrari pit crew and a pediatric surgery team have in common? More than you’d think. This episode explores the unlikely collision of racing and medicine and what it teaches us about creativity. This episode is a call to expand your lens and learn from unexpected places.  For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningw...

In 1911, two explorers set out to conquer the South Pole. One team made it back. The other didn’t. This episode explores the story behind that outcome and how pre-committed standards can be the difference between drifting and finishing.  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 l...

Performers don't always feel ready, but the top ones still find a way to perform when the lights come on. This episode is inspired by a behind-the-scenes look at Saturday Night Live and what it means to consistently show up under pressure. If you're tired of waiting for perfect conditions, this is a reminder that greatness is built on consistency, not certainty.  For more practical tools...

High-performing individuals and teams find a way to win even when they're not at their best. In other words, they find a way to win messy. Today's episode is inspired by a quote from Oklahoma City Thunder's Head Coach, Mark Daigneault following his team's championship victory yesterday in the NBA Finals. It dives into the importance of raising your floor and strengthening endur...

What if the best way to help someone through discomfort isn’t to eliminate it, but to sit with them in it? In this episode, I share a lesson from a child psychologist that can serve as a useful analogy for how we can lead others through discomfort. Sometimes it's not about fixing or removing the discomfort for others, but rather helping them increase their capacity to handle it.  For more pra...

J.J. Spaun was ready to quit and retire from golf last year. But this past weekend? He became the 2025 U.S. Open champion. His journey has been marred by personal setbacks (including health issues), but through it all he's developed a mantra to stay in it. His mindset to “go down swinging” helped free him up to enjoy the process and go all-in on his dreams. In this episode, we explore what Sp...