Sharing and receiving the truth might be the hardest (and most important) part of a team's culture. Inspired by the movie,The Matrix, and Buzz Williams’ “red pill” principle at Texas A&M, this episode dives into what it means to choose the honest reality over comfort in your team or organization. We also highlight Kevin Eastman's 3 components of the truth: Live it, tell it, and take it. 

• 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/

When Becky Burleigh took over the brand-new Florida Gators women’s soccer program at just 26 years old, there was no history to inherit, she had to build it. Three years later, she delivered a national championship.

Across 26 seasons at the University of Florida, Coach Burleigh became one of the winningest coaches in college soccer history. She amassed 513 career wins, 14 SEC regular-season titles, 12 SEC Tournament championships, 22 NCAA appearances, and a 2024 induction into the Florida Athletics Hall of Fame.

But Becky’s impact goes well beyond the sideline. She co-founded What Drives Winning, teaches a master’s course she created at the University of Florida on character, team dynamics, and self-awareness, she continues to consult with coaches and she's committed to creating a community for coaches to learn and grow together.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

[5:27] — Two Words That Defined Her Coaching Experience

[11:31] — Coaches Need Career Gameplans

[14:11] — Defining Success as a Coach

[16:25] — Protecting What Matters

[18:50] — Coaching with Freedom

[23:21] — Bringing Home "Leftover Energy"

[31:44] — The Illusion of Control

[35:06] — Becky's Favorite Daily Reminder

[37:15] — What Drives Winning Environments

[44:50] — Truth-Tellers and Taking Feedback

[50:20] — Learning From Stars (Marta, Alex Morgan)

[53:48] — Impostor Syndrome

More Resources from Becky:

• To learn more about Becky's coaching and the What Drives Winning community, feel free to check out their website here: https://whatdriveswinning.com/

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/

In 1999, Kobe Bryant broke his wrist, but showed up early the next morning and completed a workout on the court anyway. This scene offered a valuable lesson to one of his teammates because it highlighted the difference between those who want it from those who work for it. In this episode, we unpack how elite performers (from Kobe Bryant to a Grammy-winning artist) override their brain’s natural pull toward comfort and excuses. 

• 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/

Most leadership messages push you to “be a thermostat” and set the tone for your team and its culture. But great leaders know that before you can change the temperature, you have to understand it. In this episode, we explore why it's imperative for coaches and leaders to be thermostats AND thermometers with their teams. The key is learning to balance between reading the room and setting the tone.

• 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/

Great leaders don’t design environments that never fail, but they do build ones that recover quickly. In this episode, we explore the difference between "fail-safe" and "safe-to-fail" systems and what NASA’s Apollo 13 mission, Netflix’s Chaos Monkey, and parenting can teach us about building stronger, more flexible mindsets. 

• 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/

Today’s guest is Phil Beckner who is one of basketball’s most trusted and respected player development coaches and a teacher who’s coached at nearly every level of the game.

Phil is currently a Player Development Consultant for numerous NBA players and several college programs, helping performers thrive on and off the court. Through his company, Be Better Be Different, he also partners with high-performing teams, organizations, and businesses to elevate leadership, build culture, and maximize results. He’s a sought-after speaker for both athletic and corporate groups, known for translating performance principles into simple, actionable standards.

Previously, Phil spent two seasons at Boise State, rising from assistant to associate head coach, contributing to back-to-back 20-win campaigns, two NIT appearances, and the development of first-round NBA Draft pick Chandler Hutchison. His career has also included Nebraska, the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G-League, and seven seasons at Weber State, where he helped win three conference titles, reach both the NIT and NCAA tournaments, and work closely with future All-NBA guard Damian Lillard.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

[5:22] — The 5 Separators for Elite Performers

[13:38] — Be Better, Be Different

[18:58] — What Elite Performers Avoid

[25:01] — Become Great At What You're Good At

[28:44] — Damian Lillard's Growth and Development

[34:38] — The Power of Self-Talk and Identity Sheets

[39:39] — Why Players Are Often Confident Externally and Fragile Internally

[43:07] — Intentionally Training the Mind

[51:08] — Higher Clarity Leads to Higher Performance

[52:56] — Be Better Be Different Legacy Foundation

More Resources from Phil:

• To learn more about Phil's coaching, speaking, and foundation, feel free to check out his website here: https://www.bebetterbedifferent.com/

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/

Today we discuss a quote from NFL star wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, that illustrates the mindset he has to play and compete with freedom on the field. We explore how intentional preparation builds confidence and detachment unlocks freedom. Together, this combination helps you perform freely and as the best version of yourself.

• 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/

A 61-round draw. A 21-round knockout. And a mantra that still contains relevance today well beyond the boxing ring. This episode dives into the story of “Gentleman Jim” Corbett and how his mantra ("Fight one more round") offers a timeless lesson in focus and mental strength. We discuss Corbett's story, the science behind endurance and fatigue, and how you can leverage intentional self-talk to stay composed when your energy fades. 

• 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/

There’s a simple mental shift that separates a performer's ability to react vs. respond. The shift boils down to one word that can be the difference between getting stuck in struggle or uncomfortable emotions and moving forward productively. Today's episode is all about one of the most underrated words and "tools" to help you master the mental game of performance and life.

• 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/

We often talk about “getting over” hard moments, but what if the real growth comes from "getting through" them? In this episode, we explore the process of moving through discomfort in the form of pain, transitions, and uncertainty. It's a reminder that our most difficult seasons in life can be valuable teachers when we are willing to "sit in uncertainty" and not seek to rush getting over them.

• 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/