#55: The Actions of Confidence Come First with Zach Brandon
Release Date: 08/14/2024
#66: Confidence is Overrated, Courage Isn’t with Travis Thomas
Coaching Through Stories
In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Travis Thomas, improv performer turned elite performance coach and founder of LiveYesAnd, to unpack why confidence might be overrated and why courage is essential for true leadership. Travis blends decades of experience in improvisational comedy and elite sports coaching to reframe leadership through presence, purpose, and courage. He shares a transformative personal story, sparked by a trampoline accident, that led him to redefine his purpose and approach to life and leadership. Listeners will learn...
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#65: Why Not Us, Why Not Now? Pursuing Excellence with Heart and Hustle with Mark Frisch
Coaching Through Stories
What does it take to lead a legacy business into something bigger? It’s not just about keeping things running—it’s about vision, resilience, and the courage to lead differently. That’s exactly how Mark Frisch shows up. In this episode, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Mark Frisch, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of Beaver Street Fisheries, one of the largest seafood importers in the U.S. Mark shares what it’s like to lead without a formal title, navigate the complexities of family business, and drive innovation while honoring tradition. Mark’s organization, Sea Best is sponsoring...
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#64: Swimming Past Fears, Failures, and Sharks with Jen Schumacher
Coaching Through Stories
What comes to mind when you think of someone who pushes limits—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally? Grit. Clarity of purpose. A willingness to meet fear with curiosity, not avoidance. That’s exactly who Dr. Jen Schumacher is. Jen is a world-class mental performance coach whose work spans elite sport, the military, and academia. She’s led mental training programs at West Point and Northwestern Football, and she’s an ultra-endurance athlete who’s literally swum through her fears—once across the 21-mile Catalina Channel, at night, with sharks below. ...
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#63: The Power of Purpose with Dr. Eric Bean
Coaching Through Stories
Purpose isn’t just a buzzword – it's the driving force that powers motivation, builds resilience, and amplifies impact. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean dives deep into the meaning and application of purpose, not just as a concept but as a leadership strategy. He explores how leaders can tap into multiple sources of motivation by anchoring work, even the smallest tasks, in a compelling, long-term mission. Through research and powerful stories like the 17th century, London bricklayers and President Kennedy’s NASA visit during the Space Race, Dr....
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#62: Stories that Move Minds: Insights on Storytelling with Andrea Sampson
Coaching Through Stories
In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Andrea Sampson, TED-trained speaker coach and founder of Talk Boutique, to explore the art and science of storytelling. Andrea has spent decades helping scientists, leaders, and change-makers turn data and insight into stories that shift minds and spark action. From shaping global TEDx stages to guiding organizations through change, Andrea reframes storytelling not just as a tool but as a leadership mindset. She breaks down how stories create alignment, bridge the head and the heart, and help teams navigate...
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#61: Character Before Competence with Alex Hodgins
Coaching Through Stories
What comes to mind when you think of some of your favorite leaders—those who’ve truly inspired you? Purpose, presence, self-awareness, and care. Leaders who see you as more than your competency but for your character. That description fits today’s guest perfectly. In the first episode of Season 7 of the Coaching Through Stories podcast, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Alex Hodgins. Alex works with elite athletes in the NHL, Olympic sports, and corporate leadership. Known for his humility, curiosity, and commitment to human excellence, Alex...
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#60: Be Bold! Get out of your comfort zone, take chances, and win with Mike Plaia
Coaching Through Stories
When you think of some of your favorite leaders, leaders who've inspired you, what characteristics come to mind? Typically, people want leaders who are purposeful, curious, self-aware, present, engaged, and caring. Your favorite leaders tend to care about you as a person, not just a number. Our guest today – is all of those and more. In this last episode of season 6 in Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean speaks with PharmaPoint’s CEO, Mike Plaia about navigating leadership challenges through bold decisions and resilient mindset shifts. Mike Plaia, is a seasoned...
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#59: Paradoxical Leadership with Dr. Eric Bean
Coaching Through Stories
Whether you’re a new or seasoned leader, it’s universal to experience the challenges that come with balancing competing demands and priorities of an organization. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean takes listeners through the art of balancing support and challenge as a leader. He explores the importance of adaptability, focusing on the mental flexibility required to navigate leadership’s paradoxes like stability or innovation and be nurturing or drive results. Dr. Bean helps leaders understand paradoxical leadership, addresses the challenges that arise, and...
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#58: Grow yourself, inspire others, make an impact with Nicole Bean
Coaching Through Stories
In this special episode of Coaching Through Stories, Siana Sylvester steps in as co-host alongside Dr. Eric Bean to welcome guest Nicole Bean. Together, they dive into Nicole’s impressive career journey from pharmaceutical sales to becoming Head of Oncology Marketing. Nicole shares her experiences of personal and professional growth, revealing how she transitioned from a road warrior to a corporate leader while constantly striving to make a bigger impact in healthcare. The episode highlights her leadership philosophy, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and how she fosters a...
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#57: Kicking Ass Between the Ears with Chicago Bears Mental Performance Coach, Andy Riise
Coaching Through Stories
In this episode, host Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Andy Riise, Director of Mental Performance and Leadership for the Chicago Bears, to dive into the mental and emotional strategies that separate elite performers from the rest. With years of experience as a mental performance coach in professional sports and the military, Andy shares how training the mind is as crucial as training the body. He unpacks the intangible qualities of leadership and explores the intersection of high performance and joy. Listen in as Andy reveals how to navigate ego interference, practice courageous conflict,...
info_outlineIn today’s Coaching Through Stories episode, Dr. Eric Bean is joined by one of his favorite people, Zach Brandon, the Head of Mental Performance and Coach Development with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Zach is in his sixth season leading the mental performance department for players, coaches, and staff with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his role, he also assists the front office and leadership staff with coach development initiatives. He also provides customized coaching and workshops to performers and organizations through his personal company, MVP Mindset Consulting.
Within the first few minutes of this conversation, Zach talks about his main motivation is to help people be the best version of themselves. A lot is covered in today’s episode including, Zach’s framework of high performance that includes 3 overarching components. First is the mind and being able to not only manage but also leverage our thoughts, emotions, and attention. The second piece is the body which for Zach includes our ability to accept when we’re not feeling 100% but having the courage to step in the arena anyway with the self-belief that what you do in this moment is enough and is good enough to compete. And the final prong of his framework is spirit which includes awareness of your mission, your values, and your purpose. And that’s just one of many great lessons Zach shares throughout our conversation.
You will learn how elite performers can accept when they're not feeling 100% and have developed strategies to navigate these uncomfortable moments. In moments of doubt, elite performers muster the courage to step into the arena with the self-belief that what they do in the given moment is enough, despite not feeling their best. This conversation will leave you feeling inspired to take on challenges even when failure is possible.
Key Takeaways:
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Can you have joy and fulfillment alongside high performance?
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Three things to look out for in order to get the most out of your body
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The willingness and readiness to go deeper
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The idea of “quick fixes” and how to work against that
Highlights:
[9:38] Is elite performance and personal joy at odds with each other?
[17:55] Informational vs Educational vs Transformation
[26:07] Zach’s philosophy to high performance
[31:31] The mind being the “surface layer”
[35:01] The disconnect between knowing and doing
[46:38] Simulating the external and internal environment
[53:52] The detrimental effects of sabotaging your own confidence and well being
[58:11] The gap and the gain mindset
[1:06:59] How to shift the mindset of an entire organization?
Resources:
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The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: https://www.amazon.com/Gap-Gain-Achievers-Happiness-Confidence/dp/1401964362