The Threshold Lab

Arizona State University women’s basketball head coach Molly Miller has built a reputation as one of the most successful and sought-after coaches in the game today. Before arriving at ASU in March 2025, she guided Grand Canyon University to a 32–3 record, a 30-game winning streak, and the school’s first NCAA Women’s Tournament berth. Add to that 180 wins at her alma mater Drury University (including a Division II Final Four appearance and 5 conference championships) and Miller enters her first season in Tempe with an incredible career record of 297–55 (.845). In this episode, Coach Miller shares how she designs high-energy practices, the role of her “Millie-isms” and intentional language in teaching, and why gratitude is a foundational habit for her program. She also reflects on how motherhood reshaped her coaching, how she empowers her staff and players to take ownership, and the lessons she’s learned about adaptability and empathy as a leader.Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:[4:21] — Designing Game-Like Practices[6:16] — Culture Checks in Practice[8:10] — Intentional Language and "Millie-isms"[11:26] — Cultivating a Culture[13:55] — Being Elite in All Aspects[15:47] — Creating a Culture of Gratitude[17:53] — How Motherhood Changed My Coaching[21:08] — Hiring Staff With Complementary Strengths[24:55] — Pipeline to Paradise: Why Players Choose ASU[27:58] — Balancing Competitiveness and Empathy[31:51] — Navigating Crucial Conversations[33:19] — Modeling the Standard[40:32] — Goals and Growth[45:11] — Getting Feedback as a CoachMore Resources from Zach:For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Behind every person are stories and feelings we can’t always see. Most of us keep our deepest concerns, fears, and feelings hidden until someone feels safe enough to share with. This episode is about the kind of question that can create that safety. Inspired by a classroom experiment that grew into a global movement, we’ll look at how leaders and coaches can use simple words to help others feel seen, understood, and empowered.For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

UFC legend Randy Couture had a simple ritual at the start of each training camp: Acknowledge the worst-case scenario. This practice helped him keep things in perspective and helped him cultivate a mindset that freed him up to perform his best. In this episode, we explore how naming fears and accepting what you can’t control free you to compete and lead without fear holding you back. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Most people don’t realize they’re running a marathon every day, but it's not on the road. It's in their mind. Overthinking creates mental marathons that drain energy, stall momentum, and chip away at confidence. In this episode, we explore how overthinking masquerades as preparation and a strategy for how you can stop looping in circles. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Studies suggest that a large portion of fatalities for mountaineers climbing Mount Everest occur on the way down after reaching the summit. Researchers highlight multiple factors that contribute to this including fatigue and the conditions, but there's a mindset variable that plays a role here too. Drawing from a message Coach Nick Saban used to share with his staff, this episode unpacks why success can create vulnerability, how to avoid the trap of premature celebration, and what it means to stay process-driven all the way through the journey.For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Brian Smith has spent nearly three decades building the University of Missouri wrestling program into a national powerhouse. Since taking over in 1998, he has guided the Tigers to 64 individual conference champions, 192 NCAA qualifiers, 69 All-America performances, and six athletes who have claimed 10 national titles. His teams have recorded 23 winning seasons, three undefeated dual campaigns, and an unprecedented run of 12 straight conference tournament championships. Along the way, Smith has been named Big 12 Coach of the Year three times, MAC Coach of the Year five times, WIN Magazine’s Dan Gable Coach of the Year, and the NWCA National Coach of the Year. He is Missouri’s all-time wins leader, surpassing Norm Stewart with his 12th conference title in 2023.In this episode, Coach Smith shares the origin of and philosphy behind “Tiger Style” and the four pillars that define it: Believe, Compete, One More, and Expect to Win. We also explore his process for building player-led leadership, how he integrates mental training into everyday routines, and the role of storytelling in shaping culture.Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:[5:17] — Fostering Player-driven Leadership[8:36] — The Importance of Team Connection [13:01] — Creating the Foundation for "Tiger Style"[20:47] — The 4 Pillars of "Tiger Style"[29:21] — Expecting to Win[36:15] — Why Storytelling Matters for Coaches[44:30] — Mental Mondays[51:40] — Teaching Athletes to Embrace Failure[56:20] — "Mental Physicals"[59:34] — Always Be In Learning Mode[1:07:02] — Favorite ReadsMore Resources from Coach Smith:To purchase his book "Tiger Style" -- https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Style-Create-Winning-Culture-ebook/dp/B0DMM6WWVH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2U1VITTCNW7E5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9HY8T4DC-qUOoWB_0hlMGA.gdmmprn9M_Xga9VdlSaLFs9BT5dvWODDyLQqa14aAGI&dib_tag=se&keywords=brian+smith+tiger+style&qid=1731509949&s=books&sprefix=brian+smith+tiger+styl%2Cstripbooks%2C287&sr=1-1More Resources from Zach:For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Harry Houdini could escape chains, rivers, even being buried alive. Unfortunately, what killed him wasn’t a daring stunt, but it was a simple punch he didn’t see coming. In this episode, we unpack a key lesson from his story: It’s not the obstacles you plan for that hurt you most, it’s the ones you don’t expect. We’ll also discuss why preparation (not planning) is the skill that helps athletes, coaches, and leaders adapt to chaos with confidence. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Every athlete carries untapped potential, but talent alone doesn’t guarantee growth. What matters most is the environment you create. In this episode, Zach reflects on some recent personal news, a metaphor from nature on growth, and the essential role of trust in development. You’ll learn how trust shifts a coach from evaluation mode to development mode and why trust is the single greatest catalyst for unleashing potential. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Alan Bratton has worn nearly every hat in Oklahoma State University's golf program. A former All-American and member of the 1995 national championship team, he later served as an assistant coach on the 2006 national title run before taking over as head coach in 2013. Since 2013, Bratton has guided the Cowboys to two NCAA championships (2018, 2025), earned National Coach of the Year honors twice, and continued OSU’s tradition of producing some of the game’s top professionals. His background also includes three years in PING’s tour department and 31 PGA Tour starts, giving him a unique perspective that blends player, coach, and industry experience.In this episode, we explore how Bratton connects new players to OSU’s storied tradition, the standards that are the foundation for OSU's program, the role of pressure as a privilege, and why the best athletes share two traits: A love for the game and the confidence to be coached. We also dive into his mental-game frameworks and how he helps players manage their mindsets during tournaments.Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:[7:13] — The Legacy of the Program[11:52] — Establishing the Standards for New Players[15:46] — Eliminating Selfishness and Arrogance[25:33] — Leadership Lessons Early in His Coaching Career[27:44] — How More Patience Has Helped His Communication[32:33] — Making Difficult Decisions as a Leader[42:47] — Helping Players Mentally During Tournaments[48:00] — Coaching Matt Wolff in the 2018 National Championship[54:32] — Two Common Traits of the Elite Players[1:02:52] — Reframing Pressure[1:08:14] — E + R = OMore Resources from Zach:For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald just finished his first season with 10 wins and is already refining his leadership approach and redefining how his team prepares. In this episode, we explore how he balances old-school principles with new-school methods, invites collaboration to chase edges, sharpens clarity by narrowing the focus of his staff, and audits himself with honesty to find growth. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/