Win More, Live Better

After the Whistle is a short reflection episode following each guest interview, where Zach pulls out a standout moment from the conversation and offers additional perspective on how to apply the insight to your own coaching, leadership, and life. In this episode, Zach expands on Jack Mullaney’s idea of “going on offense” with your time as a coach, whereby you intentionally set priorities and align your schedule with your values, rather than reacting your way through the day on defense. 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/

Jack Mullaney, head coach of HOKA NAZ Elite and values-driven distance coach, shares how he builds culture and develops elite athletes. He talks about his five core values, the "heating the room" idea of celebrating daily inputs, training mental toughness, and routines that protect consistency and leadership energy.

Why do some athletes excel in pressure moments and others tighten up, even when the task is exactly the same? In this episode, Zach explores a lesson drawn from elite-level soccer and the psychology of penalty kicks. It offers a reminder that our perception of pressure is key to determining our ability to execute when it matters most. 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/

Perspective is one of the easiest things to lose in high-pressure environments.  In this episode, we explore the idea that “You can’t read the label from inside the jar" and why even the best coaches need support outside the pressure cooker. Drawing on examples from elite sport, insights from Atul Gawande, and my personal experience from professional baseball, this episode unpacks why perspective gets lost and why asking for help is not a weakness, but an enhancer for all of us. 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/

Why do so many coaches and professionals plateau even as their years of experience continue to grow? Research across professions shows that experience alone does not guarantee continued improvement. Drawing on evidence-informed leadership research and insights from Adam Grant, this episode explores why expanding your perspective is often the missing ingredient behind sustained effectiveness. 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/

This is the fourth and final (for now) installment of “From the Other Side of the Mic” series where I’m cross-sharing conversations from the guest seat before the new Win More, Live Better guest interviews begin in 2026. First new guest interview is coming on Sunday, January 25th.In this episode, I join Luke Gromer on the Better Coaching podcast to unpack the inner game of coaching and leadership starting with sideways vs. backwards comparison. We also break down the four C’s of high-achieving leaders and the four cornerstones of a winning, sustainable environment.To ensure you don't miss any of our upcoming episodes, feel free to hit follow/subscribe so you don’t miss anything. If you know a coach or leader who might benefit from this conversation with Luke, please continue to share these episodes. Learn More About Luke and the Better Coaching Podcast:You can listen to other episodes of the Better Coaching podacst with Luke Gromer here.You can learn more about Luke Gromer and his work here. 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/

Today's message is highlighted by a powerful parable that highlights why every rep builds something and why effort is never neutral. This episode focuses on how careers are shaped in ordinary moments, how regret often comes from withheld commitment, and why your body of work ultimately defines you. If you’re building toward something meaningful, this episode is a reminder to build it well. 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/

Most leaders say they want honesty, but many are not always as deliberate as they need to be in surrounding themselves with truth-tellers. In this episode, we'll discuss the book, Team of Rivals, which discusses why and how Abraham Lincoln built his presidential cabinet with rivals who would be willing to criticize and challenge him when necessary. This conversation breaks down how coaches can invite honest disagreement in meetings, while still demanding full commitment once decisions are made. 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/

What if the problem with most New Year’s goals and resolutions isn’t effort, but the order we approach change? In this episode, we explore why starting with your desired future ending gives meaning to the struggle you encounter in the present. Instead of stacking goals forward, you’ll learn how to define the story you want to be telling one year from now and how that clarity helps you endure discomfort.  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/

This episode is the third installment of the From the Other Side of the Mic series, where I cross-share conversations from podcasts I’ve had the opportunity to be a guest on.In this episode, I’m featured on The WellSport Podcast, hosted by mental performance coach Sean Fee. Our conversation explores my background in sport psychology, my time working in professional baseball, and how my work today is centered on helping coaches win more and live better without sacrificing themselves in the process.Throughout the conversation, we dig into topics like active listening and asking better questions, why coaches are often best positioned to serve the person they once were, how defining a personal scoreboard creates clarity, and why high performance is just as much about subtraction as it is about addition. We also discuss keystone habits, sculpting versus grinding, and the leadership systems that support both performance and well-being over the long term.If you’re not already subscribed to the podcast, be sure to do so to stay current with upcoming short-form and long-form episodes in 2026. New guest conversations are arriving soon! Learn More About The WellSport Podcast:You can listen to Sean and I's conversation (or other episodes) on his podcast here.You can learn more about Sean Fee and his work here. 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/