Win More, Live Better

JJ Van Niel’s path to becoming one of the top coaches in college volleyball is anything, but conventional.
After spending more than a decade in the financial world (including investment banking and hedge funds), Van Niel made the leap into coaching, bringing with him a unique lens on leadership, systems, and performance. Today, he is the head coach at Arizona State University, where he has quickly transformed the program into a national contender.
In his first three seasons, Van Niel has led the Sun Devils to back-to-back Big 12 Championships (which are the only conference titles in program history), while earning Conference Coach of the Year honors each year. His teams have set program records for winning percentage, produced multiple All-Americans, and made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, including regional semifinal appearances.
Before Arizona State, Van Niel was an associate head coach at USC, helping guide the Trojans to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and previously served at Utah during one of the most successful stretches in program history. He has also contributed to the U.S. Women’s National Team, supporting Olympic and World Championship preparation through scouting and analytics. 
This conversation explores the journey behind his success and how JJ’s unconventional background continues to shape the way he leads, builds teams, and develops people.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[5:21] — Transition from Finance to Coaching
[11:03] — Coaching Like A CEO
[16:30] — Building a Complementary Staff
[27:15] — Learning From Hiring Mistakes
[31:13] — Intentionally Building Relationships
[38:10] — Weekly Performance Check-Ins
[40:52] — The Core 4 Pillars for ASU's Program
[48:32] — Growing as a Coach
[55:37] — The Courage to Pivot to Coaching

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.

Most of us have been taught that nerves are a problem we have to solve. The vast majority of advice that gets recommended to manage nerves centers on trying to calm down, but what if I told you that this advice is counterproductive? After winning The Players Championship, PGA Tour golfer Cameron Young described his nerves as useful and how they help him become capable of better performance. In this episode, we break down why your body’s response to pressure is actually designed to help you perform. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety in big moments, this episode will give you a new way to understand it and a better way to use it.
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/

Some of the most difficult conversations I have with athletes, coaches, and high-achieving leaders aren’t about performance. They’re about the sacrifices they make in this pursuit, especially as it relates to their families. They’re conversations about missed birthdays, missed weddings, time spent physically absent, and the guilt of missing everyday moments that can't be replaced. If you're a high-achiever pursuing your own dreams and ambitions, but struggling with the cost of this in your personal life, then this episode is an invitation for you to remind yourself of what they also gain from your pursuit.
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/

In this After the Whistle segment, we unpack how self-doubt and the inner critic can shape our performances and the way in which we lead others. Drawing on insights from Cleveland Guardians' Major League Manager, Stephen Vogt, and research from Ethan Kross, you’ll learn how to challenge unhelpful thoughts, interrupt mental spirals, and take control of the most important conversation you have each day.
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/

In this episode of the Win More, Live Better Podcast, Zach sits down with Stephen Vogt, manager of the Cleveland Guardians and a former 10-year Major League Baseball veteran and two-time MLB All-Star.
Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007, Vogt spent years grinding through the minor leagues before making his big league debut in 2012. Over the next decade, he built a reputation as one of the most respected catchers in the game known not only for his performance, but for his leadership inside the clubhouse.
During his playing career, Vogt suited up for several organizations including the Rays, Athletics, Brewers, Giants, Diamondbacks, and Braves. Not long after hanging up his cleats, Vogt transitioned into coaching, joining the Seattle Mariners staff in 2023 as a bullpen and quality control coach. In November of 2023, he was named the 45th manager in Cleveland Guardians franchise history, becoming one of the youngest managers in Major League Baseball.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[5:53] — When Stephen Knew He'd Coach
[8:51] — Leadership Behind the Plate
[12:03] — Failure, Empathy, and Perspective
[16:49] — Transition from Player to Manager
[21:00] — The Emotional Weight of Coaching
[23:36] — Building Your Own Leadership Style
[26:14] — Self-Doubt and The Inner Critic
[30:30] — Three Non-Negotiables for the Team Culture
[35:06] — Warning Signs for Culture Drift
[39:29] — Creating Space for Truth-Telling
[44:01] — Building the Right Staff
[47:36] — The Power of Curiosity
[52:17] — Deleting Social Media to Protect Your Mind
[54:08] — Win Today
[55:48] — Learn the Lesson, Leave the Event
[58:29] — Support Behind the Scenes
[59:40] — Being Present as a Father

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.