The Bundesliga, Belonging & Building Leaders with Michelle Voiland

The Bundesliga, Belonging & Building Leaders with Michelle Voiland

In this episode, Anja sits down with Michelle Voiland — University of Portland goalkeeper, Bundesliga veteran, and head women's soccer coach at Whitman College — for a conversation that goes way deeper than the X's and O's. Michelle shares what it was like playing four years at the University of Portland under the legendary Clive Charles, graduating as the program's all-time leader in saves, and then packing her bags for Germany with almost no plan and no German. What followed was eight seasons in the Bundesliga, three seasons coaching the same club, and a masterclass in learning to perform under pressure far from home. From there, Michelle spent 11 seasons at Division I Oregon State before landing her the head coaching role at Whitman College in 2020 — where she's been building not just a soccer program, but a culture rooted in authentic leadership and genuine human connection. We get into the 10-minute rule, why being captain doesn't mean being "team police", the difference between a good leader and a transformational one, and why the most important conversation you'll ever have is the one you're having with yourself. If you work with athletes, lead a team, or are stepping into a leadership role for the first time, this episode is for you!

Bonus Segment! Be the Change in the World You Want to See

Listen to this bonus segment where Madison Fisher shares more about her collegiate experience and leadership advice that has stuck with her beyond the game.

Two Sides of the Armband: Madison Fisher on Leading for Tracy Leone

In this episode of More Than an Armband, host Anja Koehler sits down with Madison Fisher, a former midfielder and two-year captain at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.  Madison shares her soccer journey growing up in Pomfret, Connecticut in a family of athletes and coaches, and how a multi-sport high school experience shaped her as a competitor. She reflects on what drew her to Colby — a place where she felt she could make a real difference — and how leadership became just as important to her as performance on the field. Madison opens up about stepping into her captain role after being voted in by her teammates, navigating imposter syndrome, and the pod leader structure at Colby that gave every player — regardless of year or position — a chance to lead. She discusses how her natural communication style as a midfielder, combined with genuine care for her teammates, helped her earn trust early in her career. The conversation digs into some of the harder parts of leadership: having difficult conversations, walking the line between teammate confidant and coach communicator, and leading through adversity after tearing her ACL during her junior year. Madison reflects on how that injury forced her to redefine what showing up as a leader looked like. She also speaks warmly about her relationship with head coach Tracy Leone (a previous guest on the pod), describing how honest, consistent communication and shared vision created a foundation where Madison could lead with confidence and instinct rather than waiting to be told what to do. Madison's core message: real leadership doesn't live in a title or an armband. It lives in the daily check-ins, the intentional listening, the willingness to have hard conversations, and the authenticity you bring whether or not anyone is watching. Those are the skills she's carried into her graduate studies in social work, trauma, and neuroscience - and into life beyond the game.

Bonus Segment! Tracey Leone on Practicing Leadership Skills

Listen as Tracey shares how coaches can incorporate learning opportunities into practice to support student-athlete confidence in leading.

Calling People Up: Tracey Leone on Leadership Lessons from the Pitch to the Sideline

In this episode, Anja sits down with former US Women's National Team player and collegiate coach Tracey Leone to talk about what leadership truly looks like — on the field and off it. Tracey takes us back to the early days of women's soccer in America, sharing what it was like to be part of a pioneering generation that built the sport from the ground up. From playing under Anson Dorrance at UNC to coaching at the collegiate and national youth level, Tracey unpacks the leadership habits that shaped her career — including the one she struggled with most. She shares her philosophy on building trust, holding teammates accountable, and why the best leaders never take a moment off. Whether you're a first-time captain or a seasoned coach, this conversation is packed with lessons you can take straight to your team.