Win More, Live Better

One of the hardest leadership questions to answer is this: What happens when I leave the room? This episode explores why compliance in a leader’s presence doesn’t always translate to commitment in their absence. Through stories and a classic leadership metaphor comparing buffalo and geese, we examine how leaders unintentionally create dependence and how they can instead build cultures rooted in shared ownership.
 Learn More About Zach:
If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

How often do you make promises you don’t fully intend to keep? In this episode, Zach examines how leaders unintentionally erode trust through unmet commitments and why auditing your promises is a key practice to ensure you're not losing and sabotaging your credibility. You’ll learn about two types of promises leaders make and a practical audit you can use today to protect your integrity and strengthen your impact.
 Learn More About Zach:
If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

After the Whistle is a short reflection episode following each guest interview, where Zach pulls out a standout moment from the conversation and offers additional perspective on how to apply the insight to your own coaching, leadership, and life. 
In this episode, Zach expands on Jack Mullaney’s idea of “going on offense” with your time as a coach, whereby you intentionally set priorities and align your schedule with your values, rather than reacting your way through the day on defense.
 Learn More About Zach:
If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/

Our first guest interview of 2026 is Jack Mullaney. Jack is the head coach of HOKA NAZ Elite, one of the premier professional distance running teams in the world, based in Flagstaff, Arizona. His coaching journey began in sport administration, serving as an operations assistant for the University of Minnesota track & field and cross-country programs before moving to Utah State University as Director of Operations.
In 2017, Jack transitioned into coaching as an assistant coach at the University of Portland, where he spent seven seasons as a key member of one of the most successful collegiate distance programs in the country. During his time at Portland, he helped lead the men’s program to two NCAA Cross Country podium finishes and the women’s program to its highest finish in program history, while also serving as recruiting coordinator and working with athletes who went on to compete internationally.
Jack holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management, is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a USATF Level 3 Coach. He took over as head coach of HOKA NAZ Elite in the fall of 2023, and in his first year, NAZ athletes set multiple team records across track and road events, earned a U.S. road title, placed at World Indoors and the Chicago Marathon, and produced a top-10 finish at the Olympic Games.
Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[7:28] — Unique Demands and Challenges as a Running Coach
[10:06] — Core Values and the 5 C's
[20:18] — "Heating the Room" Analogy
[24:53] — Leveraging Shoutouts and Recognition to Reinforce Values
[28:46] — Fireman and Heart Surgeon Mindset
[37:33] — Managing Pressure with a Clear Process and Values
[43:34] — Being on Offense vs. Defense Each Day
[54:55] — Protecting Your Well-being as the Leader
[1:00:38] — Reading and Learning from Others
[1:06:55] — Coaching to the Individual
[1:11:52] — How to Evaluate Yourself as a Coach
[1:14:57] — Quick Hitters

Learn More About Jack Mullaney:
If you’d like to learn more from Jack Mullaney, you can follow him here.
Learn More About Zach:
If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/
You can watch the video recordings of the podcast on YouTube here.

Why do some athletes excel in pressure moments and others tighten up, even when the task is exactly the same? In this episode, Zach explores a lesson drawn from elite-level soccer and the psychology of penalty kicks. It offers a reminder that our perception of pressure is key to determining our ability to execute when it matters most.
 Learn More About Zach:
If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/