Win More, Live Better

What can a suspense novelist teach us about sports and leadership? In this episode, we highlight a pair of lessons from John Grisham’s approach to writing thrillers. The first will examine how every great story features a hero that is burdened with adversity and challenges. The second is how a vision of the ending for each story can shape every detail along the way. This episode is all about craft...

This episode is a reminder to not obsess over where you are and start focusing on where you're headed. We examine the difference between your position and your trajectory and why the latter might be a better indication of your growth. You can’t always control your position, but you can always shape your trajectory. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to m...

Joanne “Coach P” McCallie stands as one of the most accomplished coaches in women’s college basketball history.  Over 28 seasons as a Division I head coach at Maine, Michigan State, and Duke, she became the only coach ever to win Coach of the Year honors in four different conferences (five times in total). She ammassed 646 career wins as a head coach which ranks her in the top 100 all-time for wom...

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, the world watched in awe. But there was a third astronaut, Michael Collins, whose name you may not know. While the others explored the lunar surface, Collins remained in orbit, cut off from all human contact, ensuring their safe return. In this episode, we explore what Collins’ story teaches about personal scoreboards, the power of embracing...

After his third world title, professional bull rider Tuff Hedeman didn’t go on a victory tour. He didn’t take a break. He loaded his gear, headed to Denver, and started over in preparation for the next event. Why? Because he said "the bull doesn’t care." In this episode, we unpack the “bull don’t care” mentality and how it can help keep you grounded and ready for whatever’s next, no matt...

Olympic champion marathoner Eliud Kipchoge describes long runs as “quiet rehearsals for greatness.” In this episode, we unpack the science behind mental stamina and draw from Alex Hutchinson’s book, Endure, on how you can train your mind to push past perceived limits.  For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.bee...

Two people can say the exact same thing, yet only one sticks. Why? Because we’re tuned to certain frequencies. In this episode, we explore The Law of the Frequency and how tone, timing, stories, and trust shape the messages we actually hear. You’ll hear strategies for reinforcing shared language, flexing your delivery to reach different personalities, and learning from voices outside your usual fr...

As human beings, we can be busy all day and still make no progress. This episode will show you why and how to fix it. Using the antelope vs. field mice metaphor (inspired from a quote by Newt Gingrich), I’ll share why so many leaders, coaches, and athletes spend their best energy on the wrong things. We'll also discuss the 80/20 rule and share how former NFL star, JJ Watt, used a mental frame...

When was the last time you thanked someone who helped you rise? In this episode, we explore the quiet strength and impact of Sherpas. Sherpas are those essential "behind-the-scenes" contributors who make high performance and achieving your dreams possible, without asking for credit or recognition in return. You’ll hear insights from the 14 Peaks documentary, reflections from a real-life...

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...