Success doesn't last forever and neither does failure, but if you let your emotions steer the ship, both can take you off course. Today's episode is inspired by a parable about a king and a gold ring and the wisdom behind four simple words:“This too shall pass.” 

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Today's episode explores the question: Are you traveling on the right train or just afraid to get off? From Kodak’s billion-dollar delay to the everyday moments we justify staying stuck, you’ll learn why the longer we wait to pivot, the harder the return trip becomes. This conversation will challenge you to re-evaluate the direction you’re headed and give a few tools to make the next right move if it's time to adjust.

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Today we're joined by one of college football’s most respected leaders, Coach Chris Petersen.

Across 14 seasons as a Division I head football coach, Petersen compiled a remarkable 147-38 career record, including five top-10 national finishes. He was the first-ever two-time recipient of the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award and became the fastest active FBS coach to reach 100 career victories, doing so in just 117 games.

During his time at Boise State, he guided the Broncos to two undefeated seasons and a program-defining win in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. At the University of Washington, he led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff and three New Year’s Six Bowl appearances, while also setting a new standard for academic achievement. Under his leadership, UW football posted the highest four-year APR (Academic Progress Rate) score in the history of FBS football.

Beyond the wins and accolades, Petersen was known for his “Built for Life” philosophy: A leadership approach rooted in character development, life skills, and long-term success beyond the game. Since stepping away from coaching in 2019, he has continued to pour into others by advising coaches, athletic departments, and businesses, and serving as a college football analyst for FOX Sports.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

[13:30] — Society vs. Personal Scoreboard

[17:30] — The Illusion of Achievement

[28:19] — Learning How to Lead

[30:02] — The Paradox of Leadership

[35:38] — Gamechanging Leaders

[49:33] — Developing Your Coaching Staff

[53:22] — Coaches Need Coaches Too

More Resources from Zach:

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You can’t grow and stay comfortable at the same time. In this episode, we talk about what it means to let go of the old before the new is ready. Using the metaphor of trapeze bars, we explore why the in-between is actually where enduring transformation takes place. You’ll learn why letting go is the first step to leveling up and why control is an illusion, but commitment is always a choice.

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• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

What if one habit could unlock discipline, energy, and momentum across your entire day? That’s the power of a keystone habit. In this episode, we dig into how identifying your keystone habit can make the rest of your life easier, not harder. From sleep and exercise to connection and stillness, these foundational habits hold everything else together. You'll learn how to identify your own keystone habit and why it might evolve over time.

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• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

High performers are wired to get better and improve, but what happens when your drive to optimize starts working against you? We live in a world obsessed with optimization (e.g. morning routines, productivity tools, tracking devices, etc.), but sometimes the pursuit of better becomes the barrier to starting in the first place. This episode challenges the illusion of momentum that comes from endless planning. If you’ve bought the shoes but haven’t run, read the books but haven’t acted, or tracked everything but haven’t produced, then this episode might be your call to action. 

• For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/
• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

As a society, we often glorify "the grind" and gritting our teeth through things. In fact, sometimes we consider this its own form of success. But what if there’s a better way? In this episode, we explore the powerful shift from grinding to sculpting. Inspired by Michelangelo’s approach to the Statue of David, we talk about the importance of a purpose-driven vision and chipping away at what no longer serves you. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in survival mode and wants to build something more intentional, more sustainable, and more fulfilling. 

• For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/
• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Constraints often feel like obstacles, but what if they’re actually more like invitations? In this episode, we explore the surprising power of limitations and how they can unlock creativity and direct our focus. Through real-life stories such as Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs & Ham” and Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” we reveal how some of the most iconic creative work was shaped by constraints. This episode is a reminder that the best coaches and leaders don’t fight against limitations, but rather they design with them in mind. 

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• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Today's conversation is with Margueritte Aozasa, head coach of the UCLA Women’s Soccer program and one of the brightest minds in collegiate coaching today.

In just her first year as a head coach, Aozasa led the Bruins to a national championship, which made her the first rookie head coach and the first woman of color to win an NCAA Division I title in women’s soccer history. Before her time at UCLA, she spent seven seasons as an assistant at Stanford, where she helped guide the Cardinal to two national championships and four College Cup appearances.

During the interview, we explore the emotional weight of being a head coach, the importance of transparency in building trust, how to model emotional regulation for players, and why joy and perspective are cornerstones of her leadership philosophy. Coach Aozasa also opens up about how she’s grown in vulnerability, how she supports her staff, and what she’s still learning about today’s generation of athletes.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

[09:24] — Transparency and Honesty

[24:44] — Managing Emotions as a Coach

[30:59] — Opportunities to Teach and Educate

[35:02] — Being Compassionate and Maintaining Perspective

[43:43] — Being Vulnerable and Admitting Being Wrong

[47:20] — Questions I'm Still Pondering as a Leader

[52:45] — Getting Feedback as a Coach

More Resources from Zach:

• For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/
• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

What if your breakthrough moment was already in motion, but you just can't see it yet? In this episode, we unpack the incredible story of Thad Cockrell, a Nashville musician who nearly quit music after decades of trying and not getting the results he wanted. It wasn't until a random chance moment in a hardware store where his song “Swingin’” caught the ear of Jimmy Fallon of all people. Fallon loved what he heard and decided to track him down and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. This story is a reminder for anyone feeling unseen: Just because you haven't been rewarded yet, doesn't mean you should quit now.

• For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/
• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/