

Coach Your Brains Out
CYBO and Gold Medal Squared
Coach Your Brains Out is founded by professional beach volleyball players and college coaches John Mayer and Billy Allen. The primary goal is practical, useful education that will help you become a better coach. Our podcasts are released every Thursday, so set your notifications accordingly!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 25, 2025 • 35min
SERVING ROUTINES with Adriano Carvalho (1 of 2)
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

Sep 18, 2025 • 33min
LOUISVILLE VOLLEYBALL with Dan Meske (2 of 2)
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

Sep 11, 2025 • 36min
TRANSITIONING TO HEAD COACH with Dan Meske (1 of 2)
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

Sep 4, 2025 • 34min
REASON YOUR BRAINS OUT with Keegan Cook and Jonathan Winder (2 of 2)
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

Aug 28, 2025 • 37min
REASON YOUR BRAINS OUT with Keegan Cook and Jonathan Winder (1 of 2)
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

6 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 34min
PLAYER BUY-IN - Motor Learning for Coaches
Joining the conversation are Casey Kreider, the Head Coach at UMBC, and Andy Bass, a Mental Skills Coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They tackle the challenges of maintaining player engagement during the summer months and the pressure of trade deadlines. Kreider sheds light on the importance of fit in recruitment, while Bass discusses effective communication strategies to foster player buy-in. They emphasize the need for rapport and innovative training methodologies, making a strong case for narrative-based coaching in building a resilient and motivated team.

Aug 14, 2025 • 38min
COACHING THE 99% with John Kessel (2 of 2)
John Kessel, a renowned volleyball coach and educator, advocates for youth development and impactful coaching practices. He discusses the importance of mentorship and collaboration in sports, emphasizing knowledge sharing to enhance athlete growth. Kessel explores innovative techniques in volleyball training, promoting versatile skills and player enjoyment over rigid specialization. He also highlights successful practices in youth coaching from Japan and Thailand, focusing on creating fun environments to retain young athletes and foster their love for the game.

Aug 7, 2025 • 37min
COACHING THE 99% with John Kessel (1 of 2)
John Kessel, a passionate volleyball coach and advocate, dives into his work with the Let's Keep the Ball Flying Foundation, emphasizing its mission to uplift volleyball in developing nations. He shares his experiences at a healing retreat for veterans, highlighting the therapeutic impact it had. Kessel passionately discusses nurturing joy in youth coaching, focusing on fun and foundational skills. He also uses the gardening metaphor to illustrate the importance of fostering individual growth in players, steering away from blame and towards supportive coaching.

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 27min
10 YEARS OF CYBO!
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

Jul 24, 2025 • 30min
REASON YOUR BRAINS OUT with Tom Black and Jason Watson - 2.0 (2 of 2)
In this engaging discussion, Tom Black, a college volleyball coach known for his analytical approach, and Jason Watson, an experienced university coach, delve into the nuances of serving techniques in volleyball, debating the effectiveness of hybrid vs. clean serves. They also explore the controversial topic of blocking moves, examining various movement patterns and their impact on performance. Additionally, the conversation shifts to leadership dynamics in sports teams, advocating for collective communication over traditional captaincy, and emphasizes the vital role coaches play in nurturing leadership skills.