NXTVB

Most families start their recruiting journey by jumping straight into action—sending emails, posting highlight reels, and signing up for every camp they can find. But without a real plan, all that effort can leave you spinning your wheels.

In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down what athletes and parents often miss before trying to get “exposure.” She explains why having a solid recruiting foundation matters more than chasing visibility, and what that foundation actually looks like.

You’ll see where most families go wrong and how to shift from staying busy to being effective. You’ll understand what to focus on first, how to target schools that actually fit, and what it takes to build a process that saves you time, money, and frustration.

By the end, you’ll have more clarity on what needs to happen before you start chasing offers, and how to take control of your recruiting journey with purpose and direction.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to NXT VB Podcast

01:00 – Spinning Your Wheels in Recruiting

03:30 – Why Exposure Alone Isn’t Enough

06:00 – Building a Foundation That Works

08:30 – From Busy to Effective

11:00 – Targeting Schools That Actually Fit

13:30 – The Power of Having a Plan

16:00 – Avoiding the “Do It All” Trap

18:30 – Creating Clarity and Direction

21:00 – Recruit Ready Launch Invitation 

23:00 – Closing Thoughts & Next Steps

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

Every athlete worries about competition, but what if the biggest obstacle in the recruiting process isn’t another player across the net?

In this week’s episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down one of the most overlooked truths in college recruiting: your daughter’s real competition is time and herself. From the unique culture of privacy in volleyball recruiting to why families often misjudge who their athlete is “up against,” Susan reframes what athletes and parents should actually be focusing on.

You’ll learn why comparing yourself to teammates can hold you back, how to maximize the limited recruiting window, and why building belief and taking consistent action are more important than trying to be the “right fit” for every program.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, behind, or unsure about how to stand out, this episode will give you the clarity and perspective to approach recruiting with confidence and strategy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NXT VB Podcast

00:00 – Grounded & Gritty: Kicking Off the Conversation

02:00 – The Culture of Privacy in Volleyball Recruiting

05:30 – The Myth of Teammates as Competition

07:00 – Why Direct Competition Rarely Exists

12:00 – The World’s Best Peach: Finding Your Fit

14:00 – The Real Competition in Recruiting

15:00 – Racing Against Time

18:00 – Facing Your Toughest Opponent: Yourself

22:00 – Building Belief Through Action

26:00 – Shifting Focus: Time + Self Over Others

27:00 – Introducing Recruit Ready Launch

30:30 – Final Takeaways & Next Steps

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

Every athlete dreams of going D1,  but what does it actually take, and what does life really look like once you get there?

In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan breaks down the realities of playing Division I volleyball, from the five-month grind of the season to the hidden time commitments no one talks about. She also explains the differences between Power 4 programs, Top 50 schools, and mid-majors,  and why understanding these categories is crucial when building your recruiting target list.

You’ll learn how scholarships really work at the Division I level, the impact of roster limits and NIL changes, and why finding the right fit matters more than chasing labels. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode will help you make more informed decisions in the recruiting process.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome + why lived experience shapes perspective
02:00 – The hidden benefits of being a D1 athlete
04:30 – What athletes and families often overlook
06:00 – Season length: D1 vs D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO
09:00 – The reality of time commitments and “voluntary” activities
11:30 – Academic balance and course scheduling during season
13:45 – Who thrives at D1 vs who may prefer D2/D3
16:00 – Power 4 conferences explained (and why it’s no longer Power 5)
18:30 – Why Top 50 programs matter as much as conference labels
21:00 – Mid-majors and realistic recruiting targets
23:00 – Susan’s own recruiting story (from waiting to full ride)
27:30 – How to build a smart target list: reach, targets, and safeties
30:00 – Scholarships explained: full rides, splits, and roster limits
34:00 – New NCAA changes: more flexibility, more packages, NIL impact
37:00 – The truth about financial offers — and why fit still matters most
39:20 – Final takeaways for athletes and parents

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

Every athlete dreams of playing at the highest level — but the real win is finding the place where you can truly thrive.

In this final episode of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, Susan shares Sally’s journey. Labeled “undersized,” Sally chased Division I dreams and, like so many athletes, would have loved to play D1 if the opportunity was there. But when the calls didn’t come, she found herself building strong connections with high-academic D3 programs instead.

Then came the unexpected twist — a call from a nationally competitive Division II program. At first, it wasn’t the path she had imagined, but by staying curious and visiting with an open mind, Sally discovered that this school checked every box: academics, competition, and the chance to grow as both an athlete and a person.

Her story is a reminder that while chasing D1 is a worthy goal, it isn’t the only path to success. The real measure of “making it” is finding a program where you can thrive on and off the court — even if it’s not the place you thought you’d end up.

This is Part 3 — and the finale — of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series. If you missed Emily’s or Kelsey’s stories, catch up first, then tune in for Sally’s inspiring conclusion.

Chapters

00:00 – Why recruiting journeys never look the same
 02:00 – The sailboat analogy: finding your own shore
 04:30 – Meet Sally: undersized, gritty, and determined
 06:30 – The silence from D1 coaches on June 15
 08:30 – Strong D3 interest but lingering doubts
 09:45 – The curveball: a call from a top D2 program
 11:30 – Visiting with curiosity — and shifting perspective
 13:30 – Why this school checked every box
 15:00 – The takeaway: fit > division
 16:00 – Wrapping up the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

In Part 2 of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, Susan shares Kelsey’s journey,  a rollercoaster recruiting process full of setbacks, detours, and unexpected turns that ultimately led her exactly where she was meant to be.

From committing to her second-choice school, to decommitting after a coaching change, to finally landing at the program she loved all along, Kelsey’s story proves that the muddy middle isn’t a sign of failure — it’s just part of the process.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or tempted to give up, this episode will encourage you to keep going. Because, as Susan reminds us, success in recruiting always goes to the girl who wants it the most.

Chapters

00:00 – The muddy middle: why recruiting rarely feels perfect

02:30 – The lake + island analogy: what the process is really like

05:00 – Why the “mud” creates doubt and second-guessing

06:15 – Meet Kelsey: her junior year recruiting journey

08:30 – First full-ride offer vs. holding out for her dream school

10:30 – Committing to her second-choice school

11:00 – When her coach left — and why she decommitted

12:30 – How roster movement creates new opportunities

13:45 – The dream school reappears (and makes an offer)

15:00 – Why the mud isn’t failure, it’s the middle

16:00 – Encouragement for athletes in the messy middle

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

Welcome to the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, where we highlight the behind-the-scenes journeys of athletes navigating the ups and downs of the college recruiting process.

In this first episode, Susan shares Emily’s inspiring path,  a story that proves success isn’t always straightforward. After being offered a non-traditional role as a team manager instead of a roster spot, Emily faced a choice: walk away, or step in and keep working toward her dream.

Her decision, relentless effort, and unshakable belief turned what looked like a setback into an incredible opportunity,  earning her a full roster spot and a chance to thrive at the college level.

This episode is a reminder that while the recruiting process can feel uncertain, your success is inevitable if you don’t give up.

Chapters

00:00 – Why every recruiting journey looks different

02:30 – The messy middle nobody sees on Instagram

04:45 – Why “your success is inevitable if you don’t give up”

07:20 – The dartboard analogy: what recruiting really looks like

09:40 – Meet Emily: her unique offer and non-traditional path

12:35 – How Emily outworked expectations (and earned trust fast)

14:55 – From manager to roster spot: how she turned it around

16:30 – The bigger lesson: control what you can, believe in yourself

19:30 – Closing thoughts & how this story can guide your journey

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

In this episode, Susan sits down with Aquiles Montoya, Head Coach at Cal State Northridge, to pull back the curtain on the recruiting process.

From what catches a coach’s eye, to how they evaluate players, to the biggest mistakes athletes make in their emails, Coach Montoya gives candid, insider advice you won’t find on a recruiting website. Whether you’re in the Class of 2027 or already deep in the process, this conversation will help you approach your recruiting journey with confidence and strategy.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Coach Montoya + his journey to becoming Head Coach at CSUN
02:30 – How recruiting differs between D1, D2, and D3
05:15 – What coaches really look for in highlight videos
08:00 – The difference between interest and a real recruiting relationship
10:45 – Email mistakes that get athletes ignored
13:00 – How much academics really matter
15:30 – Why personality and communication skills are huge for recruiting
18:15 – The impact of social media on recruiting decisions
21:00 – When to follow up with coaches (and how often)
24:00 – Why playing at the right level matters more than chasing a logo
27:15 – The best way to stand out at showcases and tournaments
30:00 – How to know if a program is truly the right fit for you
32:45 – Coach Montoya’s final advice to athletes and parents

Connect with Coach Montoya

Instagram: @aquilesthethird

CSUN IG: @csunwomensvb

Website: https://gomatadors.com/sports/womens-volleyball

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

It’s not your skills, your stats, or your schedule. It’s the thought you keep believing.

In this episode, Susan reveals the real reason athletes stay stuck, spiral into self-doubt, and lose momentum during the recruiting process, and it has nothing to do with talent.

She breaks down the mindset model that changed her life and now helps her clients build lasting confidence, recover from rejection, and show up like the next-level version of themselves.

You’ll hear how one single thought can impact how you feel, how you act, and ultimately what kind of results you create, both in recruiting and in life.

Chapters:

00:00 – Why mindset—not motivation—is the real key to success
02:00 – The problem with toxic positivity and fake confidence
04:15 – Why "just be positive" doesn't actually work
06:30 – The mindset model: how your thoughts shape your emotions and actions
08:00 – The power of awareness: recognizing what you’re actually thinking
10:00 – Two athletes. One rejection. Two totally different outcomes
13:00 – How to create belief that feels real (not fake or forced)
15:30 – Emotional responsibility: owning your reaction without shame
18:00 – The difference between “delusional” belief and aligned belief
20:00 – Why most athletes sabotage themselves after things get hard
23:00 – Final thoughts + how to shift your story starting today

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

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

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.

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

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

www.rallysend.com

Looking for a better way to stay organized and manage your recruiting? Check out www.rallysend.com—our go-to recruiting software for athletes, families, and clubs. It streamlines communication with college coaches, saves hours on recruiting outreach, and helps you stay ahead of the biggest challenge in the recruiting process: time.

Use code HEYSUSAN to save $5/month on a monthly subscription or $50 off an annual plan.