Rehearse the Resistance: Why Elite Performers Prepare for Adversity, Not Just Success

Tracey Fuchs | Head Field Hockey Coach, Northwestern Univ. | "Culture wins championships."

Tracey Fuchs is one of the most accomplished coaches and players in the history of American field hockey. As the head coach at Northwestern University since 2009, Fuchs has transformed the Wildcats into a national powerhouse, becoming the winningest coach in program history while leading Northwestern to multiple NCAA National Championships, Big Ten Championships, and numerous NCAA Tournament appearances. Under her leadership, Northwestern has become one of the premier programs in collegiate athletics. Prior to her coaching career, Fuchs established herself as one of the greatest players in U.S. field hockey history. She was a three-time All-American and NCAA Champion at the University of Connecticut, the 1987 Honda Award winner as the nation’s top field hockey player, a two-time Olympian, and a longtime captain of the U.S. National Team. She remains one of the most decorated athletes the sport has ever produced and was inducted into the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014. Here's some notable highlights from our conversation: [5:22] — Her Unexpected Path to Coaching [6:44] — Solve Problems, Don't Create Them [8:26] — Finding Your Own Leadership Voice [14:55] — Rebuilding the Culture and Program [17:14] — The Hard Is What Makes It Great [20:56] — The Program's Four Core Values [25:42] — Empowering Athletes to Lead [30:38] — Growth Never Stops [35:21] — Looking In the Mirror  [38:30] — Measuring Success Beyond Championships [41:20] — Attack, Don't Defend [43:01] — Taking Care of Yourself as a Leader [46:52] — Lessons From Players [49:40] — Fair Isn't Always Equal [51:25] — Advocacy for Women in Athletics Follow Tracey's Coaching Journey: * Follow Tracey on Instragram here [https://www.instagram.com/tfuchs9/]. Learn More About Zach: * Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here [https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall?back=1] * Subscribe to my free newsletter here [https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/] * You can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJWkWj_UkuZy9wNPU9vd1Hf2hsFHOCE2y].

Is Your Life Out of Tune?: Eric Church's Message to the Class of 2026

Country music star Eric Church recently delivered a commencement speech that resonated with millions. In it, he used the six strings of a guitar to explain what creates a meaningful life. In this episode, we unpack that metaphor and explore what it can teach us about ambition, identity, fulfillment, and the different parts of life that make us whole. Learn More About Zach: * Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here [https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall?back=1] * Subscribe to my free newsletter here [https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/]

No Brown M&M's: How Tiny Details Reveal Standards and the Health of Your Culture

In the 1980s, Van Halen became famous for an unusual backstage request: No brown M&M’s in the dressing room. This request was actually a hidden test designed to reveal whether venues had carefully followed the band’s detailed production and safety requirements. In this episode, we explore what that story teaches us about standards and why tiny details are important to protect as a leader. Learn More About Zach: * Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here [https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall?back=1] * Subscribe to my free newsletter here [https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/]

The Power of Five Minutes: How Tiny Commitments Create Lasting Momentum

A lot of people struggle to build momentum because they make the starting line feel overwhelming. In this episode, I share the story of my wife’s “five-minute rule” that helped her run every single day for an entire year and why momentum is something we create. We discuss the psychology behind consistency, Greg McKeown’s concept of “Minimal Viable Progress,” and how stacking small wins helps us produce massive breakthroughs. Learn More About Zach: * Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here [https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall?back=1] * Subscribe to my free newsletter here [https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/]

John Wooden's 9 Promises for a Successful Life

Today we're exploring John Wooden’s famous “Nine Promises” and why they still matter today. We explore themes like emotional steadiness, relationships, self-talk, personal growth, leadership, comparison, peace of mind, and sustainable success. More than achievement, this conversation is about the internal commitments that shape the quality of our lives and help us win more without losing ourselves in the process. Learn More About Zach: * Explore 1:1 coaching with Zach -- Schedule a free call here [https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall?back=1] * Subscribe to my free newsletter here [https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/]