After the Whistle: Never Waste a Failure

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/]

After the Whistle: Never Waste a Failure

How do great performers respond to failure without becoming defined by it? In this After the Whistle segment, Zach expands on a powerful lesson shared by Louisville volleyball head coach Dan Meske: “You have to take more from failure than it takes from you.” With references to Nick Saban and another former guest on the podcast, Amy Morin, this episode is designed to help you learn from and respond more effectively to failure. 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/]

Dan Meske | Head Volleyball Coach, University of Louisville | "Take more from failure than it took from you."

In this episode, I’m joined by Dan Meske, the head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Louisville and one of the most respected coaches in the entire sport. Before becoming Louisville’s head coach in 2025, Dan spent eight seasons as the program’s associate head coach, helping transform Louisville into a national powerhouse. During that stretch, the Cardinals reached multiple Final Fours, appeared in two NCAA National Championship matches, won four ACC championships, and consistently finished among the top teams in the country. In 2022, Dan was named AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year. In his first season as Louisville’s head coach, the Cardinals finished 26–7 while advancing to the NCAA Regional Semifinals. Prior to Louisville, Dan served as head coach at Augustana University, where he compiled a 45–17 record across two seasons and led the Vikings to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008. Before that, Dan spent eight seasons at University of Nebraska, where the Huskers compiled a 216–44 record, won multiple conference championships, made eight NCAA Tournament appearances, and helped establish Nebraska’s sand volleyball program into a top-10 national program.  Dan is also a former standout player at Ohio State University, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a national semifinal appearance and earned All-MIVA honors during his collegiate career. Here's some notable highlights from our conversation: [4:10] — Lessons Learned from Year One as a Head Coach [7:35] — Reflection as a Coach [10:13] — Catching People Being Good [16:23] — Taking Over a Winning Program [20:54] — Growing Beyond Your Strengths as a Leader [25:33] — Joy and Flow State in Competition [30:02] — Core Values [33:03] — Courage and Leadership [43:21] — Turning Failures and Losses Into Lessons [49:01] — Searching for Competitive Advantages [53:49] — Never Stop Learning [58:30] — Family and Fatherhood Follow Dan's Coaching Journey: * Follow Dan on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/dan.meske/].  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].

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

Visualization is one of the most widely used mental performance tools in sports and performance, but many people use it incorrectly. In this episode, Zach explores why elite performers shouldn’t just visualize success, but also mentally rehearse the adversity, setbacks, and pressure that come with pursuing meaningful goals. 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 Danger of Judging Outcomes Too Quickly

In this episode, Zach shares the famous parable of the farmer and the runaway horse to explore why leaders and performers often judge moments too early. A loss, injury, setback, or disappointment can feel defining in the moment, but most moments are incomplete stories. This episode breaks down the dangers of binary thinking, emotional overreaction, and attaching permanent meaning to temporary circumstances, while offering a more grounded way to navigate life's circumstances. 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/]