Win More, Live Better

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. 

• 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 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/

What do pendulum clocks and team synergy have in common? To explore this question, this episode draws insight from a 350-year-old observation by Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens. You’ll learn why synchronization doesn’t require force, but instead flows from connection and alignment. We also discuss how your energy as a leader is often the most contagious thing in the room and how to be intentional about the energy you receive from others. 

• 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 coaches and leaders, we’re often conditioned to hunt big wins, but we can't lose sight that smaller victories and progress is essential for driving human behavior. Based on research by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, we’ll dive into what progress actually looks like in a coaching context and how to notice more nuanced aspects of development with those you serve. You’ll walk away with strategies to help your people see their own growth and stay motivated through the process.

• 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/

You can’t lead from a distance. In this episode, we explore the leadership habit of “going and seeing the work," a principle rooted in system dynamics and coined by MIT professor, Nelson Repenning. If you want to evaluate or improve your system, don’t guess. Observe. As coaches and leaders, our decisions are only as good as the information we’re using and proximity brings clarity. This episode is about how "going and seeing the work" helps remove distance between leaders and their systems and improve their problem solving. 

• 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/

This episode is about realigning priorities and asking the deeper questions like "Who are you becoming at home while you're chasing success in your career?" It's inspired by a moving quote from college basketball coach, Buzz Williams, and I explore the idea that being excellent professionally should never come at the cost of being present personally. This conversation will help you redefine what success really looks like and ensure that you "win" both personally and professionally.

• 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/

Mike Candrea is one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the history of college athletics. 

As the former head coach of the University of Arizona softball program, Candrea led the Wildcats to 8 national championships, 24 Women’s College World Series appearances, and compiled a record 1,674 career victories (the most in NCAA softball history at the time of his retirement). He coached 53 NCAA All-Americans across his storied career.

He also coached Team USA to an Olympic gold medal in 2004 and a silver medal in 2008. He currently serves as a Special Advisor in Athletics at the University of Arizona, continuing to mentor coaches and shape the culture of the unversity's athletic department. 

In addition to his impact as a coach, Coach Candrea was also a pioneer in the sport as the University of Arizona became the first school to build an on-campus facility dedicated to softball with the construction of the original Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in 1993. After Candrea’s retirement in 2021, the venue officially became Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

[22:28] — The 3 C's of His Coaching Philosophy

[33:34] — Defining Success Beyond the Championships

[37:37] — Being Where Your Feet Are

[42:18] — Failing Forward

[53:27] — The 1% Better Mentality

[1:01:12] — Working Smarter, Not Harder

[1:08:34] — How to Create Balance in Pursuit of Excellence

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/

Sometimes leadership lessons hide in the simplest family moments. In this episode, I share a story from a recent trip with my family, where my toddler found joy in tossing pine cones through the fence. We explore how a moment of childlike play revealed three important principles for coaches and leaders: 1) The importance of simplicity, 2) the role of presence, and 3) how great leaders make joy repeatable. 

• 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/