Win More, Live Better

This is a special episode. It marks the one year anniversary of this podcast and offers a reflection on what it’s taken to get here and the role others have played along the way. I discuss why having a coach or trusted voice in your corner can accelerate your growth in ways that are hard to replicate on your own. Drawing on conversations with elite coaches and leaders, I share a simple way to think about the role this person plays and how they can help you see more clearly, stay consistent, and turn insight into action.

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What does it look like to immediately go from one of the most decorated athletes in college sports to leading that same program from the sidelines? In this episode, I sit down with Erin Matson, head field hockey coach at the University of North Carolina and one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the sport.

During her playing career, Erin helped lead UNC to four NCAA Championships and five ACC titles, while becoming the all-time leading scorer in both ACC history and NCAA Tournament play. She’s a five-time ACC Player of the Year (the only athlete in any sport to earn that honor five times) and a three-time recipient of the Honda Sport Award for Field Hockey.

Shortly after graduating, she stepped into the role of head coach at just 23 years old and, in her first season, led the Tar Heels to both an ACC Championship and a National Championship. In addition to her collegiate success, Erin has competed on the U.S. National Team since the age of 17, representing the country on the international stage and continuing to contribute to the growth of the game.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[6:23] — Being Announced as Head Coach

[10:17] — First Message to the Team

[17:10] — Shifting From Playing to Leading

[22:57] — The "Spinning Plates" Lesson

[30:01] — From Survival to Creator Mode

[38:27] — Developing Yourself as a Coach

[44:40] — Coach Development Drives Player Development

[48:54] — Who Is Your Person?

[52:04] — Lessons From Elite Leaders

[1:00:57] — Pride in the Small Details

Follow Erin's Coaching Journey:

• Follow Erin on Instagram here

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• You can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here.

Are you leading to be seen or to help others feel seen? In this episode, we break down the difference between “spotlight” and “lighthouse” leadership. One is focused on perception. The other is focused on service.

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We have a human tendency to try and rush (or get) through certain moments in life, especially when they're inconvenient or not easy. But there's a simple reframe and perspective you can adopt that can dramatically shift how you experience these moments and live a life that's more appreciative, present, and joyful. Today's episode is inspired by the ancient Stoics and gives us a new way to look at our daily experiences so we don't miss moments we might later wish we still had.

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In this special “From the Other Side of the Mic” episode, I join Cindra Kamphoff on The High Performance Mindset podcast to discuss leadership and mindset in the realm of high performance. We also preview the upcoming Virtual Mental Performance Summit (Friday, April 17th) and explore practical ways coaches and leaders can elevate how they think, perform, and show up for others.

Learn More About The Mental Performance Summit:

• You can learn more and register here

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• Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here
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Most New Year’s resolutions focus on what we want to do and achieve, but very few focus on how we need to think. This episode introduces the concept of a “thinking resolution” and explains why your thoughts play a critical role in your ability to follow through on goals and build sustainable habits. You’ll learn how to identify the thought patterns that are holding you back, replace them with more effective ones, and create simple daily reminders to stay aligned with the mindset you need to succeed.

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• Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here
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Wilt Chamberlain once improved his biggest weakness (e.g. free throw shooting), but he abandoned it because he implemented a technique that he thought others would ridicule. This episode explores a phenomenon in human behavior known as the threshold theory and why performers may avoid what works due to social pressure. We discuss some of the psychology behind “copycat leagues” form and how coaches can lower the psychological barrier to help athletes perform at their highest level.

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• Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here
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What separates elite performers in high-pressure moments? Preparation. In this episode, we break down how Captain Sully’s 2009 emergency plane landing and Ray Allen’s iconic 2013 NBA Finals shot reveal a core principle: Performance under pressure is a reflection of your preparation. Learn how to train both physically and mentally so you can stay composed, execute when it matters most, and avoid relying on hope instead of reps. 

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• Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here
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If you were evaluated like a financial stock, would your daily habits justify someone else investing in you? Inspired by my conversation with Wake Forest head soccer coach, Bobby Muuss, this episode breaks down how consistency and daily deposits shape how others evaluate (and trust) you. You’ll also learn how to approach each day like a one-day contract and why that mindset can change how you show up.

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• Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here
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Bobby Muuss is the head men’s soccer coach at Wake Forest University and one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Division I soccer over the past decade. 

Since taking over the program in 2015, he has led Wake Forest to the most wins in the country during that span, along with multiple ACC Championships, eight Sweet Sixteen appearances, six Elite Eights, and two College Cup runs.

Prior to Wake Forest, Muuss served as the head coach at the University of Denver, where he led the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and conference championships, while earning conference Coach of the Year honors. Before that, he spent time as an assistant coach at Wake Forest under Jay Vidovich, contributing to one of the most successful stretches in program history, including a national championship.

Muuss has also developed dozens of professional players, including MLS draft picks and national team talent, while earning multiple ACC Coach of the Year honors at Wake Forest.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[6:13] — Inheriting a Powerhouse Program

[11:27] — Finding Your Coaching Identity

[17:00] — Leadership Starts with Self-Work

[21:29] — The Accountability Gap Today

[27:34] — Confidants in the Locker Room 

[29:32] — Making Meetings Matter

[32:52] — "Earn the Jersey" Culture

[36:15] — Patience in Development

[40:46] — Building Your Coaching Staff

[44:58] — Accountability Starts at the Top

[47:08] — Coaching Is Lonely

[52:24] — Advice for Future Head Coaches

[55:56] — Stocks Analogy

[1:00:15] — The Impact Beyond the Game and Wins

Learn More About Zach:

• Get 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule free call here
• Subscribe to my free newsletter here
• You can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here.