NXTVB

In this episode, Susan pulls back the curtain on something she rarely explains publicly: how she thinks about pricing, value, and the different levels of recruiting support at NXT VB. Fresh off a D3 high-academic camp weekend that reminded her why she loves this work, Susan shares the heart, intention, and ethics behind every “container” she offers, from free Instagram content, to Volleyball Recru...

What if your athlete didn’t wait until college to build her NIL,  but arrived on campus already prepared, confident, and visible? In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan sits down with Rebecca Martinez, former collegiate volleyball player, strength and conditioning coach, and social media strategist working directly with elite volleyball athletes in the NIL space. Together, they break down wha...

In Part 2 of this inbox-focused series, Susan and Jessie uncover the realities most athletes never consider when they get ghosted. From a target list that’s too ambitious, to software that prevents coaches from replying, to knowing when repeated silence means it’s time to adjust — this episode is the clearest guide you’ll find on how to course-correct your recruiting strategy. You’ll also learn ho...

Why do college coaches really ghost athletes in their inbox? In Part 1 of this two-part deep dive, Susan and Jessie break down the hidden reasons athletes get ignored — straight from Jessie’s firsthand experience as a former D1 athlete and partner of a long-time D1 recruiting coordinator. From understanding a coach’s year-round workload to recognizing when your target list is too ambitious, this e...

Welcome to Part 2, where Susan and three experienced college coaches dive straight into the tactical side of recruiting: emails, communication, social media, red flags, and how athletes can stand out in a crowded recruiting landscape. In this episode, Kevin, Todd, and Jessie reveal exactly what gets their attention, the mistakes that cause them to stop evaluating an athlete, what they really do wi...

What do college coaches really talk about when they’re evaluating athletes? What frustrates them? What impresses them? And what actually makes a recruit stand out? In Part 1 of this rare, behind-the-scenes conversation, Susan brings together Kevin, Todd, and Jessie — three experienced college coaches with insight from both the women’s and men’s volleyball world. They share the honest, unfiltered t...

In Part 2 of Susan’s deep-dive with national champion coaches Kim Cherniss and Danny Scott, they unpack the realities of D2 scholarships, the modern transfer landscape, and why so many athletes are finding their best fit outside of Division I. Kim and Danny explain how scholarship budgets actually work, what families often misunderstand about financial packages, and why public vs. private school c...

If you think Division II volleyball is “second-best,” this episode will completely shift your perspective. In Part 1 of this special two-part series, Susan sits down with national champion coaches Kim Cherniss and Danny Scott from Cal State San Bernardino to break down the real gap between D1 and D2 — and why it’s much smaller than most families think. Kim and Danny share what truly matters in the...

Before you hit “send” on another email to a college coach, pause. Do you actually know if those schools are the right fit for you  athletically, academically, and personally? This episode is a little different. You’re getting a special preview of the Recruit Ready®️ Launch program, where Susan walks athletes and families through the exact steps to build a strong foundation for recruiting success....

Before you invest in another camp, showcase, or private lesson, ask yourself: Is my daughter building her own path—or am I paving it for her? In this episode, Susan helps you spot the difference between “wannabe ballers” (kids walking the golden road their parents paved) and “budding ballers” (athletes laying each brick of their journey themselves). You’ll learn the six key signs that show your at...

Most families start their recruiting journey by jumping straight into action—sending emails, posting highlight reels, and signing up for every camp they can find. But without a real plan, all that effort can leave you spinning your wheels. In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down what athletes and parents often miss before trying to get “exposure.” She explains why having a solid re...

Every athlete worries about competition, but what if the biggest obstacle in the recruiting process isn’t another player across the net? In this week’s episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down one of the most overlooked truths in college recruiting: your daughter’s real competition is time and herself. From the unique culture of privacy in volleyball recruiting to why families often misjudg...

Every athlete dreams of going D1,  but what does it actually take, and what does life really look like once you get there? In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast , Susan breaks down the realities of playing Division I volleyball, from the five-month grind of the season to the hidden time commitments no one talks about. She also explains the differences between Power 4 programs, Top 50 schools, and m...

Every athlete dreams of playing at the highest level — but the real win is finding the place where you can truly thrive. In this final episode of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, Susan shares Sally’s journey. Labeled “undersized,” Sally chased Division I dreams and, like so many athletes, would have loved to play D1 if the opportunity was there. But when the calls didn’t come, she found he...

In Part 2 of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, Susan shares Kelsey’s journey,  a rollercoaster recruiting process full of setbacks, detours, and unexpected turns that ultimately led her exactly where she was meant to be. From committing to her second-choice school, to decommitting after a coaching change, to finally landing at the program she loved all along, Kelsey’s story proves that the...

Welcome to the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, where we highlight the behind-the-scenes journeys of athletes navigating the ups and downs of the college recruiting process. In this first episode, Susan shares Emily’s inspiring path ,  a story that proves success isn’t always straightforward. After being offered a non-traditional role as a team manager instead of a roster spot, Emily faced a c...

In this episode, Susan sits down with Aquiles Montoya , Head Coach at Cal State Northridge, to pull back the curtain on the recruiting process. From what catches a coach’s eye, to how they evaluate players, to the biggest mistakes athletes make in their emails, Coach Montoya gives candid, insider advice you won’t find on a recruiting website. Whether you’re in the Class of 2027 or already deep in...

It’s not your skills, your stats, or your schedule. It’s the thought you keep believing. In this episode, Susan reveals the real reason athletes stay stuck, spiral into self-doubt, and lose momentum during the recruiting process, and it has nothing to do with talent. She breaks down the mindset model that changed her life and now helps her clients build lasting confidence, recover from rejection,...

This is the episode that explains it all. Why volleyball. Why mindset. Why Susan. In this heartfelt solo episode, Susan opens up about the real journey behind the NXTVB Podcast and coaching platform. From resigning from a top club director role to almost starting an interior design business—and how a trip to Magnolia, a mindset breakthrough, and a $21K life coaching investment led her right back t...

You can have the skills, the highlight film, and the emails — but if your mindset isn’t right, none of it sticks. In this powerful conversation, Susan brings on Desi, a certified mindset and performance coach and former college middle blocker, to break down what most athletes miss about confidence, handling disappointment, and navigating the mental side of recruiting. They talk about why burying y...

Thinking about switching clubs? Read this before you jump. In this episode, Susan  breaks down the mindset and strategy behind deciding whether to stick with your current club or look for a new one. With tryouts coming up, it’s one of the biggest choices you’ll make for your volleyball journey — and Susan wants to help you get it right. She dives into why there is no “perfect” club, how to balance...

College camps at clubs are booming — but are they really the recruiting goldmine everyone says they are? In this episode, Susan teams up with Brett from Tribe Volleyball to break down exactly what athletes, parents, and coaches need to know about these camps. From how college coaches actually evaluate, to how athletes should prepare, to whether the cost is truly worth it, you’ll get real, behind-t...

Making a decision about your future shouldn’t feel like pressure—it should feel like power. In this episode, Susan walks athletes and families through one of the most pivotal parts of the recruiting journey: how to make a decision you won’t regret. Whether you're weighing D1 offers, choosing between club teams, or wondering if it’s too late to change your mind—this is the mindset shift you’ve...

What does it really take to get noticed in the volleyball world—and what happens behind the scenes of the videos, write-ups, and rankings? In this special bonus episode, Susan sits down with Michelle Gardner, PrepDig California scout, writer, and volleyball superfan, to talk about what it’s like to be on the front lines of athlete exposure. They dive into everything from social media tips and Inst...

The D1 volleyball recruiting landscape has changed, and if you're navigating the process as an athlete, parent, or coach, it's critical to stay ahead of the curve. In this premiere episode of the NXTVB Podcast , host Susan Forbes, former Division 1 athlete, coach, and certified life coach, breaks down the biggest shifts shaping NCAA volleyball recruiting today. From updated NCAA timeline...