This is the episode that explains it all.
Why volleyball. Why mindset. Why Susan.

In this heartfelt solo episode, Susan opens up about the real journey behind the NXTVB Podcast and coaching platform. From resigning from a top club director role to almost starting an interior design business—and how a trip to Magnolia, a mindset breakthrough, and a $21K life coaching investment led her right back to volleyball.

You’ll hear how Susan’s own experiences as a D1 athlete, coach, mom, and entrepreneur shaped her passion for helping girls not only get recruited—but also become the version of themselves who can thrive in life at the next level.

This is the full-circle moment, and the foundation of everything NXTVB stands for.

Chapters:

00:00 – From Dallas to Waco: how Joanna Gaines sparked this story
02:00 – Why Susan almost became an interior designer
03:30 – Resigning from her dream volleyball job during COVID
06:00 – When the weight loss journey led to a mindset breakthrough
08:45 – Discovering coaching tools that changed everything
10:30 – The turning point: student-athlete mental health in the headlines
12:00 – The moment Susan knew she needed to help athletes
13:45 – The $21K life coaching certification (and why it was worth it)
15:30 – How her academic background tied into athlete development
18:00 – Why she didn’t end up working in athletic departments
19:30 – Coaching, club roles, motherhood, and staying in the game
21:00 – Why mindset work and recruiting go hand in hand
23:30 – The mission of NXTVB: it’s not just about getting recruited
24:30 – The real reward: becoming the version of you who can do hard things
26:00 – What to expect on this podcast moving forward

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

You can have the skills, the highlight film, and the emails — but if your mindset isn’t right, none of it sticks.

In this powerful conversation, Susan brings on Desi, a certified mindset and performance coach and former college middle blocker, to break down what most athletes miss about confidence, handling disappointment, and navigating the mental side of recruiting.

They talk about why burying your emotions backfires, how to actually process disappointment (instead of pretending it’s fine), and why learning to fall in love with the process will change everything — on and off the court.

Whether you’re a top recruit or just trying to make your club team, this episode is a must-listen if you want to play your best under pressure and build the skills that last far beyond volleyball.

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Desi + why mindset matters
02:00 – Desi’s story: from headcase to certified mindset coach
05:30 – The difference between venting and real change
08:00 – Why positivity alone isn’t enough
10:00 – How to acknowledge disappointment without losing hope
13:30 – The power of asking why you aren’t a 10
16:00 – The 50/50 principle + how it applies to recruiting
19:30 – Understanding dopamine highs and lows
22:00 – Why celebrating small wins trains your brain for success
25:00 – How to prep before talking with coaches
28:00 – Getting out of “prove mode” and back to having fun
32:00 – Why coaches love athletes who create positive energy
35:00 – Final thoughts: focus on who you become, not just what you achieve

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Thinking about switching clubs? Read this before you jump.

In this episode, Susan  breaks down the mindset and strategy behind deciding whether to stick with your current club or look for a new one. With tryouts coming up, it’s one of the biggest choices you’ll make for your volleyball journey — and Susan wants to help you get it right.

She dives into why there is no “perfect” club, how to balance playing time with long-term growth, and why sometimes the harder path might be the one that builds you into the strongest player. Susan also shares key insights on exposure, tournaments, and recruiting impact so you can weigh your options with confidence instead of stress.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome + why club decisions feel so big

02:00 – Volleyball vs. other sports: why club contracts change everything

04:00 – The 50/50 rule and why no club is perfect

06:30 – The myth of “if I switch, it will be easier”

09:00 – Who you become through challenge

11:00 – Playing time vs. growth — how to weigh it

13:30 – Susan’s personal story about choosing a harder path

16:00 – Exposure: what it actually means for recruiting

18:30 – The tournaments that matter most for college coaches

20:00 – Playing up or down: what coaches really think

22:30 – How to set expectations with your club experience

25:00 – Final advice for families making club decisions

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

College camps at clubs are booming — but are they really the recruiting goldmine everyone says they are?

In this episode, Susan teams up with Brett from Tribe Volleyball to break down exactly what athletes, parents, and coaches need to know about these camps. From how college coaches actually evaluate, to how athletes should prepare, to whether the cost is truly worth it, you’ll get real, behind-the-scenes insight on what these camps deliver (and what they don’t).

They cover why some camps cost more, how coaches decide which events to attend, and how you can get the most out of the experience — even if you’re not a “top recruit.” If you’re weighing options for summer showcases, this conversation will help you invest your time, energy, and money wisely.

00:00 – Intro: Why college camps at clubs are a hot topic
 02:00 – How these camps work behind the scenes
 04:30 – Why college coaches actually say yes to attend
 06:00 – Costs, stipends, and what clubs provide for coaches
 08:00 – Evaluating multiple athletes at once: the efficiency factor
 10:00 – Why college coaches really like these events
13:00 – Should you only attend camps with your dream schools?
15:00 – What athletes should do before arriving
18:00 – The power of sending emails ahead of time
21:00 – How to use these camps to stand out (even if you’re not a star)
25:00 – Why exposure does not equal a guaranteed offer
28:00 – How to handle nerves and practice communication
30:00 – Final tips for picking the right camps for your goals

Connect with Brett:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribevbrecruiting

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Making a decision about your future shouldn’t feel like pressure—it should feel like power.

In this episode, Susan walks athletes and families through one of the most pivotal parts of the recruiting journey: how to make a decision you won’t regret. Whether you're weighing D1 offers, choosing between club teams, or wondering if it’s too late to change your mind—this is the mindset shift you’ve been missing.

Learn how to separate desire from obligation, tune out external noise, and get clear on what YOU actually want. Because when your decision is aligned with your values, your vision, and your why—you show up with energy, motivation, and long-term success.

Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome: The real reason decision-making feels hard
01:30 – Why athletes struggle with ownership in big choices
03:15 – What most families miss about the “pressure” of offers
05:00 – Desire vs. obligation: how to check your reasons
07:30 – How to know if you’re making a choice out of fear or alignment
10:45 – Staying close to home? Make sure it’s your decision
13:20 – Why loving your reasons = more success and motivation
16:00 – What to do if you feel unsure about your decision
18:00 – “Can I change my mind?” (Yes. Here’s when and how.)
21:30 – The difference between immaturity and growth
24:00 – Verbal commitments, coaching changes, and new info
27:15 – Final thoughts: how to stay grounded in your choice

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

What does it really take to get noticed in the volleyball world—and what happens behind the scenes of the videos, write-ups, and rankings? In this special bonus episode, Susan sits down with Michelle Gardner, PrepDig California scout, writer, and volleyball superfan, to talk about what it’s like to be on the front lines of athlete exposure.

They dive into everything from social media tips and Instagram bios to tournament prep, content creation, and the power of visibility beyond your highlight reel. Whether you're a parent, player, or coach, this episode is packed with insights on how to stand out—and how Michelle’s storytelling-first approach is making a difference for athletes nationwide.

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Michelle: How she got into volleyball + PrepDig
 03:00 – From athlete to scout: Michelle’s unique journey
 05:30 – Building visibility for athletes who often get overlooked
 08:45 – Content strategy: How she captures, edits, and posts so much
 12:00 – A day in the life at a tournament
 15:00 – What makes her write-ups different (and why coaches care)
 18:00 – How she stays energized and organized at 12-hour events
 21:00 – What athletes don’t realize about getting featured
 24:00 – Tips for athletes from smaller towns or low-profile clubs
 26:30 – Why Instagram bios matter more than you think
 28:00 – Should your recruiting profile be private? (Hint: no)
 31:00 – How to practice interview skills + what not to say
 35:00 – Warm-up mindset + how to stand out on the bench
 38:00 – No perfect path: Why everyone’s recruiting journey is different
 42:00 – The impact of female representation in volleyball media
 47:00 – How to support PrepDig and stay visible year-round

What You’ll Learn:

• What college coaches are really looking for
• Why having a volleyball Instagram is useless if it's private
• How to use your warm-ups, social media, and personality as recruiting tools
• Why storytelling—and not stats—is what separates great athletes
• The real behind-the-scenes life of a volleyball content creator

Connect with Michell on IG:  @prepdigca and @coachable247
Visit: www.prepdig.com

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

June 15 isn’t just another date—it’s a defining moment in your volleyball recruiting journey.

Whether you're one of the top athletes in the country or still working your way up, this episode will help you set realistic expectations, understand what’s normal (and what’s not), and avoid the emotional rollercoaster that can hit hard when calls, offers, or silence arrive. Host Susan Forbes breaks down the two types of D1 prospects, what happens before and after June 15, and why playing the long game can actually work in your favor. If you’re in the class of 2027, or supporting someone who is, this episode is your roadmap for what comes next.

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

In this episode, Susan pulls back the curtain on the real reason families struggle during the college volleyball journey: misaligned expectations between parents and athletes.

Before the offers, visits, and commitments come in, you need clarity on who decides what, how much college really costs, and what matters most to your daughter’s future. Susan walks you through the most important conversations to have before the pressure hits—so your athlete feels supported, confident, and ready to lead her own process.

Chapters 

00:00 – The #1 issue that silently derails recruiting

01:30 – What really goes wrong when parents + athletes aren’t aligned

02:50 – Who’s making the decision—and does everyone know it?

04:30 – The money talk: budget, scholarships, and hard truths

06:15 – D1, D2, NAIA, D3: what you need to know about aid

08:30 – Boundaries vs. flexibility—setting the right expectations

10:00 – Defining fit: values, location, team culture, and more

11:00 – Communication matters more than talent—here’s why

13:00 – Why parents doing “too much” hurts your athlete

15:25 – The power of messy action + why it gets results

17:45 – Prestige vs. alignment: what really leads to long-term success

20:00 – Helping your athlete choose for herself (not for the brand)

22:30 – What a united team at home looks like

24:00 – How to get expert support inside NXTVB

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

The D1 volleyball recruiting landscape has changed, and if you're navigating the process as an athlete, parent, or coach, it's critical to stay ahead of the curve.

In this premiere episode of the NXTVB Podcast, host Susan Forbes, former Division 1 athlete, coach, and certified life coach, breaks down the biggest shifts shaping NCAA volleyball recruiting today. From updated NCAA timelines and the June 15th contact rule to the real impact of NIL deals and the transfer portal, Susan unpacks everything you need to know to stay grounded and confident throughout the recruiting journey.

Whether you're a top prospect, unsure where you stand, or simply overwhelmed by the process, this episode will help you gain clarity, set realistic expectations, and make empowered decisions for your future.

In this episode I mention the June 15th Prep Club which ran for the month of May. If you are listening and want help prepping for June 15th, join us inside the ALL-IN Membership, we're dishing all that we can there leading up to June 15th and will be there to support you if you need beyond June 15th as well!

Or if you're listening to this episode, and have a daughter who is in high school, and you're feeling a bit behind or like something is off in her recruiting process, apply for a Recruit Ready® Intensive. We'll meet your daughter where she's at and get her going the direction of her goals and dreams. 

Chapters 

00:00 – Welcome to NXTVB and who this show is for

01:00 – Why the recruiting game is different in 2025

02:05 – NCAA rule: What June 15th really means

03:00 – NIL changes and how they’ve shifted athlete leverage

04:20 – The “Wild West” of college sports and what volleyball can expect

06:30 – Pressure on top coaches and the race for top recruits

08:45 – Early offers, deadlines, and high-stakes decisions

10:00 – What the June 15th Prep Club is and who it's for

11:15 – Why mid-tier programs are leaning into the transfer portal

13:40 – A longer recruiting process isn’t a bad thing

15:50 – Why it’s more expensive to be a top prospect

18:00 – Senior-year opportunities: they’re more common than you think

20:25 – Coaching changes, the portal, and shifting roster spots

22:45 – Why mindset, mentorship, and consistent strategy matter

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Welcome to the NXTVB Podcast, the ultimate resource for rising volleyball athletes, supportive parents, and forward-thinking coaches navigating the next level of the game. Hosted by former Division 1 athlete, college coach, and certified life coach Susan Forbes, this show dives into the heart of volleyball recruiting, NIL changes, and the college athletics experience.

Each episode delivers valuable insight, real stories, and actionable strategies to help athletes thrive on and off the court. Whether you're chasing a scholarship, supporting your athlete’s journey, or shaping future talent, the NXTVB Podcast is your go-to source for clarity, confidence, and competitive edge.

Subscribe now and join us on the journey to becoming the next best version of yourself—through sport, mindset, and opportunity.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.heysusank.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.