Win More, Live Better

You can’t make someone want something, but you can build an environment or create conditions where they choose to chase it themselves. This week’s episode features a parenting story from legendary basketball coach, Pat Summitt, that is relevant for parents and coaches. If you’ve ever found yourself pushing harder than the people you lead, this one’s for you. For more practical tools and mindset st...

Success doesn't last forever and neither does failure, but if you let your emotions steer the ship, both can take you off course. Today's episode is inspired by a parable about a king and a gold ring and the wisdom behind four simple words: “This too shall pass.”  For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithword...

Today's episode explores the question: Are you traveling on the right train or just afraid to get off? From Kodak’s billion-dollar delay to the everyday moments we justify staying stuck, you’ll learn why the longer we wait to pivot, the harder the return trip becomes. This conversation will challenge you to re-evaluate the direction you’re headed and give a few tools to make the next right mo...

Today we're joined by one of college football’s most respected leaders, Coach Chris Petersen. Across 14 seasons as a Division I head football coach, Petersen compiled a remarkable 147-38 career record, including five top-10 national finishes. He was the first-ever two-time recipient of the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award and became the fastest active FBS coach to reach 100...

You can’t grow and stay comfortable at the same time. In this episode, we talk about what it means to let go of the old before the new is ready. Using the metaphor of trapeze bars, we explore why the in-between is actually where enduring transformation takes place. You’ll learn why letting go is the first step to leveling up and why control is an illusion, but commitment is always a choice. For mo...

What if one habit could unlock discipline, energy, and momentum across your entire day? That’s the power of a keystone habit. In this episode, we dig into how identifying your keystone habit can make the rest of your life easier, not harder. From sleep and exercise to connection and stillness, these foundational habits hold everything else together. You'll learn how to identify your own keyst...

High performers are wired to get better and improve, but what happens when your drive to optimize starts working against you? We live in a world obsessed with optimization (e.g. morning routines, productivity tools, tracking devices, etc.), but sometimes the pursuit of better becomes the barrier to starting in the first place. This episode challenges the illusion of momentum that comes from endles...

As a society, we often glorify "the grind" and gritting our teeth through things. In fact, sometimes we consider this its own form of success. But what if there’s a better way? In this episode, we explore the powerful shift from grinding to sculpting. Inspired by Michelangelo’s approach to the Statue of David, we talk about the importance of a purpose-driven vision and chipping away at w...

Constraints often feel like obstacles, but what if they’re actually more like invitations? In this episode, we explore the surprising power of limitations and how they can unlock creativity and direct our focus. Through real-life stories such as Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs & Ham” and Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” we reveal how some of the most iconic creative work was shaped by constraints. This episo...

Today's conversation is with Margueritte Aozasa, head coach of the UCLA Women’s Soccer program and one of the brightest minds in collegiate coaching today. In just her first year as a head coach, Aozasa led the Bruins to a national championship, which made her the first rookie head coach and the first woman of color to win an NCAA Division I title in women’s soccer history. Before her time at...

What if your breakthrough moment was already in motion, but you just can't see it yet? In this episode, we unpack the incredible story of Thad Cockrell, a Nashville musician who nearly quit music after decades of trying and not getting the results he wanted. It wasn't until a random chance moment in a hardware store where his song “Swingin’” caught the ear of Jimmy Fallon of all people....

What do pendulum clocks and team synergy have in common? To explore this question, this episode draws insight from a 350-year-old observation by Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens. You’ll learn why synchronization doesn’t require force, but instead flows from connection and alignment. We also discuss how your energy as a leader is often the most contagious thing in the room and how to be intention...

As coaches and leaders, we’re often conditioned to hunt big wins, but we can't lose sight that smaller victories and progress is essential for driving human behavior. Based on research by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, we’ll dive into what progress actually looks like in a coaching context and how to notice more nuanced aspects of development with those you serve. You’ll walk away with str...

You can’t lead from a distance. In this episode, we explore the leadership habit of “going and seeing the work," a principle rooted in system dynamics and coined by MIT professor, Nelson Repenning. If you want to evaluate or improve your system, don’t guess. Observe. As coaches and leaders, our decisions are only as good as the information we’re using and proximity brings clarity. This episod...

This episode is about realigning priorities and asking the deeper questions like "Who are you becoming at home while you're chasing success in your career?" It's inspired by a moving quote from college basketball coach, Buzz Williams, and I explore the idea that being excellent professionally should never come at the cost of being present personally. This conversation will help...

Mike Candrea is one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the history of college athletics.  As the former head coach of the University of Arizona softball program, Candrea led the Wildcats to 8 national championships, 24 Women’s College World Series appearances, and compiled a record 1,674 career victories (the most in NCAA softball history at the time of his retirement). He coached 5...

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...