What happens when a college basketball coach decides that winning isn’t just about talent, but about roots, relationships, and reflection? In this episode, we unpack an extraordinary profile of Marquette head coach Shaka Smart—and what makes him one of the most intentional leaders in sports today. Known for his unique streak of not taking a single transfer in four years, Smart’s decision goes deeper than roster strategy. It’s about building something that lasts, even in a world obsessed with quick wins and constant movement.

We explore how Smart’s morning routine—meditation, morning light, and journaling—has helped him lead with stillness and clarity in an anxious, high-pressure environment. His approach to leadership blends mindfulness, psychology, and deep human connection. From his “Five-Star Leader” framework to his living “Culture Document,” Smart shows us that building culture isn't a buzzword—it’s a discipline. His story challenges all of us to ask two questions daily: Who am I? Who am I not?

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or someone navigating your own leadership journey, this episode will inspire you to slow down, get curious, and connect more deeply—with your people and with yourself. Because the best part of growth? It’s not the start or the finish. It’s the messy, meaningful middle.

What if you could train your mind the same way you train your body? In this episode, we dive into a powerful article about NBA veteran Harrison Barnes and how visualization became one of the most effective tools in his training arsenal. From hiring his own performance team to playing every game for three seasons straight, Barnes’ consistency isn’t accidental—it’s intentional. But the most surprising piece? His game-day mental routine takes less than 10 minutes… and doesn’t involve touching a basketball.

We unpack how mental imagery—used by legends like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and surgeons alike—is more than a trendy tool; it’s a proven performance strategy backed by neuroscience. From guided audio meditations to full sensory visualizations, we explore how athletes (and everyday high-performers) can rehearse success before it happens. The key isn’t just imagining outcomes—it’s training emotional control, confidence, and focus under pressure.

Whether you're chasing rebounds, giving a high-stakes presentation, or preparing for a difficult conversation, the principle is the same: when your mind and body are on the same page, performance gets sharper. If you're not already doing mental reps, you’re leaving growth on the table. Tune in to learn how to apply this strategy in your own life—and how five minutes of stillness might just change your game.

We’ve all had that moment — the stumble, the slip, the missed lift, the awkward rep. And the real challenge isn’t the physical mistake… it’s the mental spiral that follows. In this episode, Caroline shares a small moment caught on video — a nearly-botched box jump during a workout — that became a huge reminder of just how far she’s come in her mindset.

Fifteen years ago, she would’ve been humiliated, scanning the room to see who saw her mess up and spinning into self-judgment. But this time? She just stepped down and kept going. No panic, no performance anxiety, no need to proveanything. And that’s what this episode is all about: the evolution from fearing what others think to being fully rooted in what’s actually happening now.

We break down what it takes to grow that kind of confidence — the kind that lets you keep moving without giving energy to imagined criticism. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present. Whether you're an athlete, a student, or a parent, this is the kind of mental strength that frees you to keep showing up without the weight of judgment dragging you down.

When was the last time someone asked you, “What’s your personal philosophy?” — and you could answer it in one sentence?

In this week’s episode of The Unbound Performance Podcast, we dive into an article that shares powerful behind-the-scenes stories from Pete Carroll’s time with USC and the Seattle Seahawks — stories that have nothing to do with playbooks or drills and everything to do with building identity. You’ll hear how Carroll challenged not just his players, but every coach and staff member, to write down who they are, how they lead, and what they believe in — not in paragraphs, but in one powerful line. His reason? Consistency, resilience, and clarity begin with knowing exactly who you are.

We reflect on why this kind of personal work matters for anyone, not just athletes. From high school athletes to parents to professionals chasing growth, your identity must be rooted in something deeper than performance. We share takeaways on how to start this process for yourself — writing, editing, and uncovering the traits and values that define you — and how doing so unlocks steadiness no matter what life throws at you.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt lost in transition, stuck in comparison, or unsure what they really stand for. Pete Carroll believed in building people, not just programs — and by the end of this episode, you’ll understand why having your own life philosophy may be one of the most powerful tools in your mental performance arsenal.

n this episode of UNBOUND Performance, we dive into a moment that captured the sports world not because of its perfection, but because of its raw humanity. Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering made a heartbreaking mistake in the MLB playoffs—an error that ended the game, the series, and his team’s season. But it was what came after that truly stood out. Kerkering didn’t hide. He didn’t deflect. He owned it.

We break down the powerful lesson in accountability that Kerkering gave the world, not just in what he said to reporters, but in how he stood up in the midst of heartbreak and told the truth. We also explore why moments like this are so rare—and why they matter so much, especially for athletes, leaders, and anyone chasing excellence.

Drawing from the article by Rustin Dodd and wisdom from legends like Trevor Hoffman and Pedro Martinez, we look at how public accountability builds character and trust. We talk about what it means to not be defined by your worst moments and why your response to adversity can be the very thing that earns you respect—even more than success ever could.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or just someone navigating setbacks in your own life, this episode is a powerful reminder that true strength isn’t about always getting it right—it's about owning it when you don’t. Because as we say at UNBOUND: what you do in the hard moments shapes who you become.

In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked habits that separate good athletes—and good people—from the rest. From learning how to confidently introduce yourself to taking ownership of your space, these small, everyday actions build the foundation for character and future success. Whether it’s shaking a coach’s hand, volunteering your time, or simply cleaning up the locker room after practice, these moments shape who you are and how others see you.

We talk about why these habits matter so much—not just in sports, but in life. When you take responsibility for your environment and interactions, you’re not just showing respect; you’re developing discipline, confidence, and leadership. These are the habits that make people want to work with you, coach you, and trust you with more opportunities.

Drawing from real experiences and coaching stories, we break down the mindset behind small daily disciplines and how they connect to long-term success. It’s about understanding that character isn’t something you turn on for big moments—it’s something you practice in the small ones.

If you’re a young athlete, a parent, or a coach, this episode is your reminder that success starts with how you show up every day. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the stats or the scoreboard—it’s about who you’re becoming in the process.

In this episode, we dive into a recent article by The Athletic that captured the quiet discipline behind a powerful image: a pristine visiting locker room left behind by Vanderbilt Football after a big win on the road. While it may seem small on the surface, this moment is a masterclass in leadership, intentional culture-building, and the idea that success begins with how you show up in the everyday, unseen moments.

We unpack Coach Clark Lea’s philosophy of “leaving every place better than you found it”—a mindset shaped by his early mentor Don Meyer, rooted in the ancient Greek concept of Arete, and reinforced by modern coaching models like the All Blacks' legendary “sweep the sheds” tradition. We explore how habits like cleaning up after yourself, making your bed, and taking personal responsibility for your space are less about perfection—and more about pride, respect, and discipline.

This isn’t just about football. It’s about parenting, business, leadership, and the kind of people we want to become. We talk about how small, consistent behaviors influence culture far more than motivational speeches ever could, and why true leadership is revealed in the moments no one sees.

If you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or professional looking to build a legacy that lasts—this episode will challenge you to rethink the “small” stuff and see it for what it really is: the foundation of everything.

What if leadership wasn’t about grinding yourself down to nothing, but about building something greater—with others—through compassion?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Cal Riley, a combat-tested U.S. Army officer turned entrepreneur, EOS Implementer, and author of Entrepreneurial Compassion: An Entrepreneur’s Journey Through Suicide, Combat, and the Discovery of Compassionate Leadership. Cal shares his deeply personal and professional journey—one that moves from war zones to boardrooms, from burnout to breakthrough, and from unbearable grief to a renewed mission to lead with heart.

We talk candidly about Cal’s return from deployment, the weight of inheriting a struggling family business, and what it looked like to work 90+ hour weeks while feeling like everything was crumbling. But it was also during this time that Cal discovered the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and with it, a framework that helped him install a leadership team, reclaim his time, and rebuild the business—and himself—from the inside out. Cal opens up about the loss of his brother to suicide, and how that trauma became a turning point—not only in his life, but in how he leads, coaches, and writes.

We discuss how his book was written in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, and why he believes compassionate leadership isn’t just a “nice-to-have,” but a business imperative—one that builds trust, improves performance, and saves lives. From his combat experience to coaching billion-dollar companies and husband-wife teams alike, Cal brings a raw, honest voice to the leadership conversation we all need to be having.

This is an episode for anyone who’s tired of white-knuckling it through leadership, for anyone who’s questioned their ability to keep going, and for everyone who believes that how we treat people matters.

Whether you’re a founder, manager, teammate, or just trying to hold it together in your own life—this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to do it alone. That strength can coexist with softness. That performance can be fueled by purpose. And that maybe… our best leadership doesn’t come from pretending to have it all together, but from having the courage to lead with compassion anyway.

Buy Cal's book, Entrepreneurial Compassion, here!

In this episode, we unpack one of the best articles we've read on leadership — a reflection on NFL coaching legend Bill Cowher and what he’s learned about leading people both on and off the field. From his earliest days as a 10-year-old organizing playground games to winning the Super Bowl as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cowher’s philosophy blends intensity with humility — and a deep commitment to building trust and connection.

We reflect on Cowher’s three essential traits of leadership: having a clear vision, leading with humility, and being willing to listen and adapt. But more than just theory, this conversation dives into the practical ways leaders create culture — from letting Hall of Famer Rod Woodson trust his instincts, to reminding backup players that how they do their job matters just as much as what they do. Whether you lead a team, a classroom, or a household, there’s something here for you.

We also talk about why trusting yourself is a key part of growth, how collaboration and ownership fuel winning cultures, and why donuts — yes, donuts — became a small but powerful symbol of team unity in Cowher’s post-coaching life. His line, “Don’t let history dictate your future,” hits hard, especially when we consider how often we disqualify ourselves before we even begin.

Whether you're a coach, an athlete, a business leader, or just someone trying to lead yourself well, this episode is a masterclass in quiet strength, intentional culture-building, and the kind of leadership that actually lasts.

In this episode, we dive into Olympic champion Katie Ledecky’s refreshing perspective on goals, mentorship, and balance inside and outside of the pool. Instead of chasing medals or obsessing over competition, Ledecky has long focused on what she calls her “want times” — benchmarks that keep her grounded in her own progress. By focusing on times rather than titles, she has built one of the most decorated careers in swimming without losing sight of what really matters: growth and joy in the process.

We also explore Ledecky’s love for training — something even her coaches and fellow athletes say sets her apart. For her, the pool is more than just a stage for competition; it’s a place to test herself daily, build confidence, and share in the pursuit of excellence with teammates. That passion for practice fuels her performance and keeps her mindset steady even under Olympic-level pressure.

But perhaps the most inspiring part of Ledecky’s story is her role as a mentor. Just as she was supported as a 15-year-old rookie surrounded by her heroes, she now makes it a priority to welcome younger swimmers, learn from their energy, and make sure they feel they belong on the world stage. From cheering in the stands to offering advice, her leadership is rooted in humility and care.

Finally, we highlight the lessons athletes and non-athletes alike can learn from Ledecky: the importance of balance, the value of trusting great coaches, and the mindset of striving for small improvements every day. Whether you’re chasing personal records in the pool, in your career, or in life, Ledecky’s approach reminds us that success is about progress, not comparison.