Billy Allen | Stanford University Beach Volleyball Coach and Player Development Coordinator | "Learning is a maze, not a ladder."

Billy Allen brings a rare blend of experience to today's conversation: Elite performer, coach, author, and longtime podcast host. Entering his third season as an assistant coach and player development coordinator for Stanford’s beach volleyball program in 2026, Billy has already helped guide the Cardinal to a historic success on The Farm.

Outside of coaching, Billy continues to compete on the AVP professional beach volleyball tour. A three-time AVP champion and former member of the USA Beach Volleyball National Team, he represented Team USA for six years on the world stage. Billy is also the co-host of the long-running “Coach Your Brains Out” podcast, where he has interviewed some of the most respected coaches and thought leaders in sport and he is the author of multiple books spanning from coaching to fiction fantasy.

In this conversation, we explore Billy’s perspective on the mental game through both the lens of an athlete and a coach. We discuss what he’s learned from talking with top coaches around the world, how those lessons have shaped his own coaching philosophy, and why ecological dynamics and skill acquisition sit at the center of his approach to athlete development. Billy also shares how his long competitive career continues to influence the way he coaches today.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[6:20] — The Inspiration for The Inner Knight

[9:40] — Parallels Between Writing and Competing

[12:05] — Diving Into Mindfulness Practices

[13:57] — Benefits from Meditation

[15:58] — Mindful Minutes at Stanford

[22:44] — What He Wishes Coaches Understood Earlier

[25:38] — The Trap of Overcoaching

[30:20] — Own Your 3-Foot World

[32:43] — Lessons Learn from Athletes He's Coached

[35:34] — Learning is a Maze, Not a Ladder

[44:49] — Knowledge Of vs. Knowledge About 

[47:31] — Curiosity is a Superpower

[51:58] — Starting the Coach Your Brains Out Podcast 

[56:55] — Common Patterns Amongst Great Coaches

[1:07:16] — Improv and Partner Exercises for Training Presence

[1:11:05] — Finding Balance Across Different Roles and Disciplines

[1:14:23] — His Resilience and Journey

Learn More About Billy:

• https://www.instagram.com/billyketchallen/?hl=en
• To learn more about the Coach Your Brains Out Podcast, listen to the show using this link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-your-brains-out/id1060183650
• To purchase and read Billy's books, check out this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Billy-Ketch-Allen/author/B07JCJ9Z9T?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=2479b4fb-c143-46fb-b942-0bbcb19c386e

 Learn More About Zach:

• If you’re a collegiate or professional coach striving to win more and live better, I'm offering free discovery calls in December to share resources and offer support for your journey. You can sign up for a call here: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
• For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/