Win More, Live Better

Zach Brandon
  • 4.8 (24)
  • 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

    Sonny Cumbie | Head Football Coach, Louisiana Tech University | "My job is to listen to the people I serve and help them feel seen, valued, and heard."

    Sonny Cumbie is the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University and one of the most respected offensive minds in college football. His journey through the game is anything but conventional. A former Texas Tech walk-on quarterback, Cumbie spent years earning his opportunity before becoming the starting quarterback and ultimately leading the nation in passing yards and total offense during his senior season. Following his playing career, Cumbie competed professionally before beginning a coaching journey that included stops in the Indoor Football League, graduate assistant roles under Mike Leach, offensive coordinator positions at Texas Tech and TCU, and a stint as Texas Tech's interim head coach.  Throughout that journey, he worked alongside some of college football's most respected coaches, including Mike Leach, Gary Patterson, Kliff Kingsbury, Neil Brown, and Matt Wells, to name a few. Today, as the head coach at Louisiana Tech, Cumbie brings together lessons from every chapter of that journey. His leadership philosophy blends accountability with connection, high standards with genuine care, and a belief that people perform at their best when they know they matter. Here's some notable highlights from our conversation: [5:58] — From Walk-On to Nation's Top Passer [9:50] — Playing the Long Game [14:12] — How to Get Honest Feedback from Players [14:55] — Making 1:1 Meetings Matter [19:36] — The Player Who Changed My Coaching [24:00] — The PromotionTrap [27:18] — Your Mentors Aren't Always Right [31:22] — Lessons from Mike Leach and Mentors [36:47] — From Substitute Teacher to Head Football Coach [42:01] — Head Coach Fatigue [47:12] — Best Team Exercise I've Ever Seen [55:03] — What Matters Most to Coach Cumbie Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter hereYou can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here.

    1h 1m

  2. 4d ago

    Too Early to Tell: What Hall of Famers Can Teach Us About Persistence and Growth

    What if some of the greatest careers in sports history had been judged by their first season? Today's episode profiles some of the early failures and struggles that several top performers faced early in their careers, but also how they responded to them to end up as some of the greatest athletes of all-time. Zach explores why we place so much weight on early results, the stories we tell ourselves after setbacks, and why a rough beginning can be a poor predictor of where we're ultimately capable of going. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter here

    7 min

  3. 6d ago

    Be Someone's Fan

    As coaches and leaders, it's easy to assume people know how we feel about them. We assume our players know we're proud of them. We assume our staff knows they're appreciated. We assume our families know we're cheering for them. But support isn't measured by what we feel, but it is measured by what other people experience. In this episode, we explore the power of encouragement, the influence of having someone in your corner, and why one of the greatest gifts you can give another person is letting them know you're cheering for them. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter here

    6 min

  4. Jun 8

    The 2% We Remember: How to Enjoy the Journey Instead of Just Chasing the Destination

    Why do we spend so much time chasing moments we'll only experience briefly? After reflecting on a World Series appearance and lessons from astronaut Chris Hadfield, I found myself wrestling with a simple question: What happens when we become so focused on the reward that we overlook everything required to reach it? In this episode, we explore why our minds tend to fixate on peaks, endings, and achievements and how to find more meaning and fulfillment in the journey itself. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter here

    10 min

  5. Jun 7

    Do It Scared: Why Confidence Comes After Action

    What if the confidence you’re waiting for is actually on the other side of action? In this episode, Zach explores one of the most common misconceptions in performance and personal growth: The belief that we must feel confident before we act. Zach shares a powerful story from Rory Vaden’s book Take the Stairs and explores why fear is not always a sign that you’re incapable, unprepared, or not ready. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter here

    5 min

  6. Jun 4

    Why Team Cultures Drift (And How to Prevent It)

    Most organizations and teams don't fall apart suddenly or due to some catastrophic collapse. Typically, things start to break down in more subtle ways and due to small deviations from standards. Drawing on insights from Northwestern Field Hockey Head Coach Tracey Fuchs, Zach discusses how championship teams leverage regular culture audits to evaluate whether their actions align with their values. He also explores research from systems thinking to explain why drift occurs and what leaders can do to prevent it. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter here

    9 min

  7. Jun 1

    Tracey Fuchs | Head Field Hockey Coach, Northwestern Univ. | "Culture wins championships."

    Tracey Fuchs is one of the most accomplished coaches and players in the history of American field hockey. As the head coach at Northwestern University since 2009, Fuchs has transformed the Wildcats into a national powerhouse, becoming the winningest coach in program history while leading Northwestern to multiple NCAA National Championships, Big Ten Championships, and numerous NCAA Tournament appearances. Under her leadership, Northwestern has become one of the premier programs in collegiate athletics. Prior to her coaching career, Fuchs established herself as one of the greatest players in U.S. field hockey history. She was a three-time All-American and NCAA Champion at the University of Connecticut, the 1987 Honda Award winner as the nation’s top field hockey player, a two-time Olympian, and a longtime captain of the U.S. National Team. She remains one of the most decorated athletes the sport has ever produced and was inducted into the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014. Here's some notable highlights from our conversation: [5:22] — Her Unexpected Path to Coaching [6:44] — Solve Problems, Don't Create Them [8:26] — Finding Your Own Leadership Voice [14:55] — Rebuilding the Culture and Program [17:14] — The Hard Is What Makes It Great [20:56] — The Program's Four Core Values [25:42] — Empowering Athletes to Lead [30:38] — Growth Never Stops [35:21] — Looking In the Mirror  [38:30] — Measuring Success Beyond Championships [41:20] — Attack, Don't Defend [43:01] — Taking Care of Yourself as a Leader [46:52] — Lessons From Players [49:40] — Fair Isn't Always Equal [51:25] — Advocacy for Women in Athletics Follow Tracey's Coaching Journey: Follow Tracey on Instragram here.Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter hereYou can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here.

    55 min

  8. May 29

    Is Your Life Out of Tune?: Eric Church's Message to the Class of 2026

    Country music star Eric Church recently delivered a commencement speech that resonated with millions. In it, he used the six strings of a guitar to explain what creates a meaningful life. In this episode, we unpack that metaphor and explore what it can teach us about ambition, identity, fulfillment, and the different parts of life that make us whole. Learn More About Zach: Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call hereSubscribe to my free newsletter here

    8 min
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Trailers

4.8
out of 5
24 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
    261
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Win More, Live Better
  • Show Website
    Win More, Live Better

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