Win More, Live Better

Amy Morin is a licensed psychotherapist, keynote speaker, award-winning host of the Mentally Stronger podcast, and an international bestselling author of six books on mental strength, including the globally acclaimed 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do . Her work has been featured by major outlets including Good Morning America , Today , Oprah , Tamron Hall , and the BBC. Her TEDx Talk, The...

The expectations you hold for others are never neutral. In this episode, we break down the Pygmalion Effect (also known as the Rosenthal Effect) and the classic 1968 study with school children that revealed how important expectations can be. If you're a coach, leader, parent, teacher, or anyone in an authority position, and you want your people to grow, it starts with what you expect from the...

One of the most common forms of interference for performers is misinterpreting progress. In this episode, we discuss the bamboo tree and how it symbolizes why growth is often delayed, invisible, uneven, and misunderstood. You’ll learn a helpful perspective shift to stay patient and persistent when results lag behind effort. Learn More About Zach: Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call...

A lot of individuals and organizations put a lot of effort into how things look, but far less into how things actually work. In this episode, we explore the concept of a Potemkin village and how it shows up in organizations that look strong on the surface, but lack alignment underneath. Whether you’re evaluating a job opportunity or building a team, you’ll learn how to spot the difference between...

Good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes. In this episode, I share a real coaching mistake from my time in Major League Baseball and the lesson it taught me about unintended consequences. We dive into how routines and mental training can shift from being helpful to detrimental, especially if it becomes a dependency for athletes. Learn More About Zach: Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedu...

What if your performance isn’t limited by your ability, but by the story you keep telling yourself? In this episode, we break down the powerful story of Bo Eason, a former NFL All-Pro safety who reframed a defining moment from his childhood into a powerful identity that helped propel his career. Learn More About Zach: Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here Subscribe to my free new...

This is a special episode. It marks the one year anniversary of this podcast and offers a reflection on what it’s taken to get here and the role others have played along the way. I discuss why having a coach or trusted voice in your corner can accelerate your growth in ways that are hard to replicate on your own. Drawing on conversations with elite coaches and leaders, I share a simple way to thin...

What does it look like to immediately go from one of the most decorated athletes in college sports to leading that same program from the sidelines? In this episode, I sit down with Erin Matson, head field hockey coach at the University of North Carolina and one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the sport. During her playing career, Erin helped lead UNC to four NCAA Championships...

Are you leading to be seen or to help others feel seen? In this episode, we break down the difference between “spotlight” and “lighthouse” leadership. One is focused on perception. The other is focused on service. Learn More About Zach: Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here Subscribe to my free newsletter here

We have a human tendency to try and rush (or get) through certain moments in life, especially when they're inconvenient or not easy. But there's a simple reframe and perspective you can adopt that can dramatically shift how you experience these moments and live a life that's more appreciative, present, and joyful. Today's episode is inspired by the ancient Stoics and gives us a...

In this special “From the Other Side of the Mic” episode, I join Cindra Kamphoff on The High Performance Mindset podcast to discuss leadership and mindset in the realm of high performance. We also preview the upcoming Virtual Mental Performance Summit (Friday, April 17th) and explore practical ways coaches and leaders can elevate how they think, perform, and show up for others. Learn More About Th...

Most New Year’s resolutions focus on what we want to do and achieve, but very few focus on how we need to think. This episode introduces the concept of a “thinking resolution” and explains why your thoughts play a critical role in your ability to follow through on goals and build sustainable habits. You’ll learn how to identify the thought patterns that are holding you back, replace them with more...

Wilt Chamberlain once improved his biggest weakness (e.g. free throw shooting), but he abandoned it because he implemented a technique that he thought others would ridicule. This episode explores a phenomenon in human behavior known as the threshold theory and why performers may avoid what works due to social pressure. We discuss some of the psychology behind “copycat leagues” form and how coaches...

What separates elite performers in high-pressure moments? Preparation. In this episode, we break down how Captain Sully’s 2009 emergency plane landing and Ray Allen’s iconic 2013 NBA Finals shot reveal a core principle: Performance under pressure is a reflection of your preparation. Learn how to train both physically and mentally so you can stay composed, execute when it matters most, and avoid re...

If you were evaluated like a financial stock, would your daily habits justify someone else investing in you? Inspired by my conversation with Wake Forest head soccer coach, Bobby Muuss, this episode breaks down how consistency and daily deposits shape how others evaluate (and trust) you. You’ll also learn how to approach each day like a one-day contract and why that mindset can change how you show...

Bobby Muuss is the head men’s soccer coach at Wake Forest University and one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Division I soccer over the past decade.  Since taking over the program in 2015, he has led Wake Forest to the most wins in the country during that span, along with multiple ACC Championships, eight Sweet Sixteen appearances, six Elite Eights, and two College Cup runs. Prior to Wake F...

None of us get to choose when difficulty shows up in our lives, but we do get to choose if (and how) we use it. In this episode, we break down why most people waste difficult moments and Zach shares a story from the actor Michael Caine that can shift how we respond to and view the inevitable adversity we confront. Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consis...

In the 1500s, mapmakers would sometimes stamp “Here be dragons” on the edges of their maps, which marked places no one had yet explored. In this episode, we explore how that same instinct shows up in modern life when you’re facing risk or uncertainty and why your brain is quick to assume the worst. You’ll learn how to recognize when fear is shaping your decisions and why the ability to navigate un...

Hiring is one of the most important decisions a coach makes, but it's rarely discussed in a public setting. In this After the Whistle segment, we build on insights from Arizona State head coaches JJ Van Niel and Molly Miller, both of whom emphasize that being intentional about who you hire and finding staff who complement you as a leader. This episode explores why "fit" matters more...

JJ Van Niel’s path to becoming one of the top coaches in college volleyball is anything, but conventional. After spending more than a decade in the financial world (including investment banking and hedge funds), Van Niel made the leap into coaching, bringing with him a unique lens on leadership, systems, and performance. Today, he is the head coach at Arizona State University, where he has quickly...

Most of us have been taught that nerves are a problem we have to solve. The vast majority of advice that gets recommended to manage nerves centers on trying to calm down, but what if I told you that this advice is counterproductive? After winning The Players Championship, PGA Tour golfer Cameron Young described his nerves as useful and how they help him become capable of better performance. In thi...

Some of the most difficult conversations I have with athletes, coaches, and high-achieving leaders aren’t about performance. They’re about the sacrifices they make in this pursuit, especially as it relates to their families. They’re conversations about missed birthdays, missed weddings, time spent physically absent, and the guilt of missing everyday moments that can't be replaced. If you&apos...

In this After the Whistle segment, we unpack how self-doubt and the inner critic can shape our performances and the way in which we lead others. Drawing on insights from Cleveland Guardians' Major League Manager, Stephen Vogt, and research from Ethan Kross, you’ll learn how to challenge unhelpful thoughts, interrupt mental spirals, and take control of the most important conversation you have...

In this episode of the Win More, Live Better Podcast, Zach sits down with Stephen Vogt, manager of the Cleveland Guardians and a former 10-year Major League Baseball veteran and two-time MLB All-Star. Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007, Vogt spent years grinding through the minor leagues before making his big league debut in 2012. Over the next decade, he built a reputation as one of...

Mistakes are inevitable in sport, but too often performers get derailed when they allow those mistakes to snowball. In this episode, we explore a key statistic from the best golfer in the world, Scottie Scheffler, called the bounce-back stat. We break down what causes mistakes to spiral and how athletes and leaders can develop the skill of bouncing back quickly. Learn More About Zach: If you’re a...