In this episode of the Max Out Mindset Podcast, Dr. Larry Widman and Coach Jess sit down once again with the number one beach volleyball team in the world, Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss Cruz, for an honest conversation about growth, pressure, and the mental work behind elite performance.

This is the third time Taryn and Kristen have joined the show, and their journey has evolved in powerful ways. After the emotional highs and lows surrounding the Olympic experience, they reflect on what it truly means to grow as athletes and teammates.

The conversation dives deep into how elite performers navigate disappointment, rebuild belief, and continue to push forward. Taryn shares the internal work that helped her develop confidence and self-trust, while Kristen talks about the mindset shifts that allowed them to keep improving even while competing at the highest level in the world.

You'll hear powerful insights on communication between teammates, handling pressure on the biggest stages, and why vulnerability and honesty are essential for teams that want to sustain success.

Taryn also shares how journaling became a critical tool for managing thoughts, building belief, and improving sleep and recovery during tournaments. Together, they explain how the mental side of the game helped them transform setbacks into one of the most successful seasons of their careers.

This episode is packed with practical insight for athletes, coaches, and leaders who want to:

• Build real confidence through preparation and self-talk
• Communicate honestly with teammates during high-pressure moments
• Turn setbacks into growth instead of self-doubt
• Train mindset habits like journaling and awareness
• Develop trust and resilience within a team

Whether you're an athlete chasing your potential, a coach developing a culture, or a leader working through challenges with others, this conversation offers a powerful reminder:

Elite performance isn't just about talent. It's about the mindset you bring to the journey.

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In this episode of the Max Out Mindset Podcast, Coach Jess sits down with Alyssa D'Errico, head coach of Utah Volleyball, for a powerful conversation on leadership, mindset, and what it truly means to max out.

Alyssa shares her journey from championship athlete to head coach and unpacks how elite performers sustain success without losing themselves in the process. The conversation dives into why behaviors—not results—must drive performance, how authenticity allows athletes to stay present under pressure, and why connection is the foundation of championship culture.

You'll hear real stories about managing competitiveness, learning emotional control, training response after failure, and helping athletes move from frustration to freedom. Alyssa also explains how elite programs "out-team" opponents by aligning coaches, athletes, and support staff around shared standards and trust.

This episode is packed with practical insight for athletes, coaches, and leaders who want to:

· Stay consistent when results fluctuate

· Train focus, readiness, and response under pressure

· Use failure as feedback instead of fear

· Build confidence without comparison

· Lead with clarity, connection, and purpose

Whether you're a high school athlete, college competitor, or coach building culture, this conversation offers a clear reminder: who you are and how you show up every day matters!

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In this episode of the Max Out Mindset Podcast, we welcome back John Cook for his second appearance on the show.

John is a four-time national champion volleyball coach and the current GM of the Omaha Supernovas. This time, the conversation goes beyond trophies and records and into what actually lasts inside great programs.

John shares how he defines success with his teams, especially as he builds a brand-new professional organization. We talk about playing for each other, trusting the work when it matters most, competing with joy, and creating a culture people want to be part of — win or lose.

This episode is for coaches who want sustained excellence, not short-term results.
For leaders who want trust, connection, and standards that hold up under pressure.
And for anyone who believes the scoreboard never tells the full story.

Max Out Mindset for Volleyball Book

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Norah Sis has built a career on more than talent — everywhere she goes, teams win. From state appearances with her high school team, a national championship in club, gold medals in international competitions, Elite 8 runs at Creighton, and a PVF championship in her first professional season, her impact goes far beyond the stat sheet.

Norah shares how joy fuels her competitiveness, why culture drives championships, and what it means to play free under pressure. She opens up about perfectionism, confidence struggles, and the evolution of her leadership — from a timid freshman to the emotional heartbeat of elite teams.

We also explore her transition to the pros, coping with new roles, leaning on faith, and her excitement to return home to Omaha with the Supernovas.

This episode is a blueprint for athletes and teams who want to compete with belief, stay grounded in who they are, and build cultures where everyone can thrive. Whether you're a coach, player, or fan of women's sports, you'll learn a lot from Norah's wisdom and authenticity.

Max Out Mindset for Volleyball Book

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Instagram: @max_out_mind_Jess and on Twitter: @JessKnecht

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Coach Rhonda Revelle returns to the Max Out Mindset Podcast to reflect on growth, healing, and joy in coaching after adversity. Now in her 34th year leading Nebraska Softball, Revelle opens up about the defining challenges of her career and the deep personal work that helped her rediscover peace, purpose, and trust. She speaks candidly about emotional recovery, learning to care less about outside opinions, and finding strength in the people who walked beside her when life felt uncertain.

Through stories of connection, faith, and the "team within the team," Coach Revelle reveals the evolution of her leadership—from chasing outcomes to cherishing the daily process. She explains her 80/20 rule: 80% of her energy now goes toward building human connection, 20% toward softball. Listeners will hear why "you win in the locker room first," how joy and competitiveness can coexist, and why she believes true success is measured by hugs, trust, and the feeling that no one wants the season to end.

Her reflections on trust, team-first culture, and her bond with athlete Jordy Bahl bring the episode full circle—showing how relationships, vulnerability, and peace can fuel both performance and purpose. It's a masterclass in how to lead with heart, adapt with grace, and define success on your own terms.

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In this episode, Boston Celtic Baylor Scheierman breaks down what it means to "play free."—It's about trusting his preparation, leaning on his faith, and letting go of mistakes so he can perform without fear.

Baylor shares how coaches like Greg McDermott instilled belief, how teammates modeled servant leadership, and how culture and confidence become contagious. From being a 5'9" overlooked recruit to hitting clutch shots on the biggest stages and now earning his role with the Celtics, Baylor's journey is rooted in preparation, faith, and resilience. This episode is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and controlling the controllables. For athletes, Baylor's story offers simple, repeatable tools: resetting routines, practicing positive self-talk, and committing to daily preparation. For coaches, it's proof that instilling belief and valuing every role on a team fuels long-term success. Baylor's path embodies the 4Cs of Max Out Mindset—Commitment, Confidence, Concentration, and Composure—with confidence and composure shining brightest.

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In this episode of Max Out Mindset, we sit down with Merritt Beason, a First Team All-American at Nebraska, two-time college captain, and the number one overall draft pick in the Pro Volleyball Federation who now plays for the Omaha Supernovas. Merritt opens up about her journey to competing on some of the biggest stages in college volleyball. She shares how discipline became her competitive advantage, what it was like to step into a leadership role at a new school, and how she learned to manage self-talk, confidence, and performance pressure. Merritt also reflects on her transition to professional volleyball and why relationships have been central to her success. This conversation is a masterclass in vulnerability, resilience, and leading with both love and accountability.

Max Out Mindset for Volleyball Book

Max out Mindset for Volleyball book and services here.

Instagram: @max_out_mind_Jess and on Twitter: @JessKnecht

Instagram:@max_out_mindset Twitter: @Doc_elitemind

Welcome to the Max Out Mindset podcast. In this episode, Dr. Larry Widman and Coach Jess sit down with Coach Beth Singleton, a powerhouse in the softball world and a model of sustained excellence at both the club and collegiate levels. From winning national championships with Nebraska GOLD 16U and 18U teams to leading Midland University to two NAIA World Series appearances in the last three years, Coach Singleton has proven she knows how to build a championship culture with an emphasis on training mindset. She shares her journey from club coaching to the college ranks and what it takes to lead with clarity, consistency, and care. Beth unpacks the mindset needed to sustain high-level performance, her belief in developing the whole athlete, and the role that vulnerability and connection play in competitive success. She reflects on building trust with athletes, training confidence intentionally, and how she prepares teams to perform when it matters most. Nuggets galore from a very relatable coach.

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