Win More, Live Better

Zach Brandon
  • 4.8 (21)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Win More, Live Better is a podcast for sport coaches and high-performing leaders who care deeply about results, but refuse to compromise their well-being, joy, or relationships in the process. This show explores what it really means to win more and live better on your terms. Through stories, conversations, and practical frameworks, each episode helps you sharpen your leadership, strengthen your inner game, and build systems that support sustainable performance for you and those you lead. Hosted by Zach Brandon, a nationally recognized performance and leadership advisor who partners with elite sport coaches, executives, and high performers to help them thrive using practical tools, systems, and mindset frameworks.

  1. 1D AGO

    Sideways vs. Backwards Comparison

    We’ve been told that comparison is the thief of joy, but I’d actually argue some forms of comparison are useful. In this episode, I break down the difference between sideways vs. backwards comparison and why the latter can help us build confidence.  Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

    9 min

  2. 1D AGO

    The Red Queen Effect: Why Adaptation and Learning Speed are Competitive Advantages

    Inspired by the book, Through the Looking Glass, the Red Queen effect explains why any species (including humans) must adapt and evolve to not just survive, but to also stay ahead. In sport and life, sometimes it feels like our skills and progress plateau, but we forget that those around us are striving to improve every day too. In competitive environments where everyone is improving, effort alone rarely creates separation. True advantage comes from accelerating learning, integrating resources, and proactively evolving systems. Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

    9 min

  3. 3D AGO

    After the Whistle: Being Transparent

    On this "After the Whistle" segment, Zach unpacks why ambiguity creates tension in teams and how transparency reduces interference. Building off his conversation with Georgetown Head Baseball Coach Edwin Thompson, this episode explores the psychology of uncertainty, why “maybe” can feel worse than bad news, and three practical ways leaders can create clarity around standards, decisions, and expectations to build trust and unlock performance. Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

    10 min
  4. Edwin Thompson | Head Baseball Coach, Georgetown University | “Can you do the things that are hard that not everyone wants to do?”

    5D AGO

    Edwin Thompson | Head Baseball Coach, Georgetown University | “Can you do the things that are hard that not everyone wants to do?”

    Today's guest is Georgetown University Head Baseball Coach, Edwin Thompson. Since taking over the Georgetown program in 2020, Thompson has led the Hoyas through the most successful stretch in school history, highlighted by a record-setting 36-win season in 2024. Under his leadership, Georgetown has produced BIG EAST Player and Pitcher of the Year honorees, multiple first- and second-team all-conference selections, and back-to-back MLB Draft picks. Before leading the Hoyas, Thompson served as head coach at Eastern Kentucky, where he led multiple 30-win seasons and coached All-Americans, Academic All-Americans, and multiple MLB draft picks. His resume also includes coaching roles at Duke University, Georgia State, Bates College, and the University of Maine at Farmington. In addition, Thompson has spent four years working with USA Baseball, evaluating and coaching elite national-level talent. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the leadership, program-building, and player development philosophy behind one of college baseball’s most respected and rising head coaches. Here's some notable highlights from our conversation: [5:31] — Background Before Coaching [7:13] — Finding Connection Points With Players [10:55] — Relationships Are Key [14:56] — Being Transparent [19:56] — Coaching Other Sports [27:13] — Recruiting Character [32:05] — Onboarding New Players [40:37] — Fostering Belief and Confidence [45:42] — Leadership Lessons From a Losing Season [53:25] — Owning Mistakes as a Coach [59:40] — Leadership Lessons from MLK Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/You can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here.

    1h 8m

  5. FEB 14

    Investing in Loss: How Elite Performers Turn Failure into Future Wins

    Most of us try to avoid losing, but if you want to become an elite performer you're better of learning how to leverage it. Inspired by Josh Waitzkin and his book, The Art of Learning, this episode explores how elite performers reframe failure as a deposit into future growth. Learn how to process losses productively, avoid the hidden cost of playing it safe, and turn setbacks into growth.  Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

    7 min

  6. FEB 12

    Revealed vs. Discovered Wisdom: Why Some Lessons Can't Be Pre-Packaged

    When we're preparing to experience something new, many of us default to seeking wisdom from others (directly or indirectly) to prepare ourselves accordingly. But some lessons in life, sport, and leadership have to be acquired through first-hand experience. So if you’re stepping into a new season, role, or challenge, this episode will help you understand why some of the most important lessons in leadership can’t be pre-packaged. Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

    9 min

  7. FEB 11

    After the Whistle: Failure Recovery

    In pursuit of mastery, good luck not experiencing failure along the way. This episode is a reminder that losing and failure will be inevitable in sport (and in life), but how you recover and bounce-back from it is a trainable skill. As an extension of my guest interview with USA Men's Head Volleyball Coach, Karch Kiraly, this episode is a glimpse into essential three strategies for managing failure more effectively.   Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

    10 min
  8. Karch Kiraly | Head Coach, USA Men's Volleyball National Team | "Pressure is a privilege."

    FEB 9

    Karch Kiraly | Head Coach, USA Men's Volleyball National Team | "Pressure is a privilege."

    Today we're joined by the Team USA Men's Volleyball Head Coach, Karch Kiraly. Karch is one of the most accomplished figures in the history of volleyball and one of the few individuals to reach the pinnacle of the sport as both a player and a coach. Widely regarded as the greatest volleyball player of the 20th century, Karch Kiraly is a three-time Olympic gold medalist, winning twice in indoor volleyball and once in beach volleyball. As a collegiate athlete at UCLA, he helped lead the Bruins to three national championships and later became one of the most dominant beach volleyball players ever, earning 148 career tournament wins and six AVP MVP awards. His playing career alone earned him induction into multiple Hall of Fames, including the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. As a coach, Karch has built one of the most consistent and successful programs in international sport. He served as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team for 12 years, compiling a 327–81 record and leading the team to its first-ever Olympic gold medal in Tokyo (2021), along with multiple Volleyball Nations League titles and a World Championship. In 2024, he guided the U.S. Women to an Olympic silver medal in Paris before being named Head Coach of the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team later that year. In this conversation, Karch and Zach explore the human side of elite performance and leadership including what Karch learned during his first year leading a new national team, why self-doubt still shows up at the highest levels, how elite teams train failure recovery, and why pressure is best understood as something we choose, not something imposed on us. This conversation offers timeless lessons for coaches and leaders navigating transition, pressure, and the thin margins that define high performance. Here's some notable highlights from our conversation: [5:23] — Transitioning to Head Coach for the Men's National Team [10:41] — Lessons Learned in 2025 [14:37] — Recovering From Failure [16:22] — Training Athletes to Respond to Failure [23:20] — Pressure Is a Privilege [31:42] — Developing a Better Perspective Toward Pressure [36:54] — Embracing Imperfection and Winning Ugly [39:39] — Mastering Struggle [43:53] — Coaching With a Beginner's Mind [49:18] — Body Language  [51:23] — Caring About the Human, Not Just the Performer Learn More About Zach: If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycallFor more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/You can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here.

    1 hr
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Trailers

4.8
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Win More, Live Better is a podcast for sport coaches and high-performing leaders who care deeply about results, but refuse to compromise their well-being, joy, or relationships in the process. This show explores what it really means to win more and live better on your terms. Through stories, conversations, and practical frameworks, each episode helps you sharpen your leadership, strengthen your inner game, and build systems that support sustainable performance for you and those you lead. Hosted by Zach Brandon, a nationally recognized performance and leadership advisor who partners with elite sport coaches, executives, and high performers to help them thrive using practical tools, systems, and mindset frameworks.

Information

  • Creator
    Zach Brandon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    206
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Win More, Live Better
  • Show Website
    Win More, Live Better

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