In this bonus segment, Ali Hall shares her advice to leaders both young and old. 

In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja sits down with Ali Hall, co-captain of the U.S. Women’s Beach Soccer National Team and a two-time FIFA Player of the Year, to talk about leadership, identity, and building something bigger than yourself. Ali shares how she rediscovered her love for the game through beach soccer, why the sport demands full accountability from every player, and what it means to lead without trying to fit a “captain” stereotype. The conversation also dives into her work to grow the sport, including advocacy for a Women’s Beach Soccer World Cup, and the mindset shift that helps leaders stay grounded, self-aware, and authentically themselves.

Listen to Shinya's reason why he enjoyed cooking for others and how it helps him to fuel himself as he trains for his first marathon.

In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja Koehler sits down with Shinya Kadono, former professional soccer player, longtime captain, and creator of Shin’s Journey, to explore what leadership really looks like when the results are uncertain and the path forward is unclear.

From growing up in Japan and immigrating to the U.S., to overcoming early setbacks, hard feedback, and self-doubt, Shinya shares the defining moments that shaped his resilience. He reflects on his time at the University of California, Berkeley, where he went from bench player to team captain, learning how consistency, personal accountability, and quiet leadership earn trust over time.

The conversation dives deep into leading through adversity, navigating injuries, handling pressure when results don’t come, and what it means to be a captain who leads by example rather than volume. Shinya also discusses his professional career, captaining young teams, and why documenting his journey through YouTube became a way to lead beyond the locker room.

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about status or titles. It’s about showing up, doing the work when no one is watching, and continuing to move forward even when the path is uncertain.

Youtube: Shin's Journey

TikTok

Instagram

Hear as Cathy describes how her previous entreprenuership experience supported the founding of BearCat Coaching. 

Content Advisory: This episode contains brief discussion about eating disorders and mental health. Please listen with care and step away if needed.

In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja sits down with Cathy Helin - Hall of Famer, former elite athlete, business owner, and founder of Bearcat Coaching - for a powerful conversation about confidence, leadership, and the courage to be authentically yourself.

Cathy shares her journey from growing up in a small Minnesota town to discovering her voice through basketball, overcoming adversity, and learning what it truly means to lead with integrity and heart. She and Anja reflect on their shared work with the University of Minnesota Crookston Women’s Basketball program and the importance of building trust, communication, and belief across an entire roster.

This episode dives into:

How adversity shapes confidence

Why every athlete needs to understand their role

The importance of connection and lifting others up

What it takes to build a unified, resilient team culture

Cathy’s mission to empower the next generation of female leaders

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, Cathy’s insights will challenge, inspire, and stay with you long after you listen.

This bonus segment includes how Sam Junqua leads off the field by fostering animals. 

Real Salt Lake defender Sam Junqua joins More Than an Armband to talk about adaptability, mindset, and connection in the MLS. From trades to transitions, he shares how mindfulness and service shape his approach to leadership and consistency.

This bonus segment includes a rapid fire question session with Becky.

Becky Sauerbrunn joins More Than an Armband to reflect on her journey as captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team - from learning to lead authentically to carrying one of the most successful programs in sports history. She shares what it means to lead with steady strength, the lessons from Tokyo 2021, and how her generation intentionally passed the baton to the next wave of U.S. women’s soccer leaders.