In this episode, Dr. Larry Widman and Coach Jess sit down with Coach Brian Rosen, the new head of Creighton University Volleyball and one of the rising stars in collegiate coaching. From his beginnings in high school sports to leading one of the top volleyball programs in the country, Rosen shares a candid and insightful look into what it takes to max out as a coach, a leader, and a person. Coach Rosen unpacks his journey and the power of vulnerability, grace, and intentional self-talk in develo...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Dr. Larry Widman hosts the Max Out Mindset Podcast with special guest Coach Steven Gream , head coach of Cowley College Volleyball—a junior college powerhouse with a staggering 307–46 record, 81 straight wins, and two back-to-back national championships. Coach Gream shares how sustained excellence is built from the inside out. He reveals why mindset matters most, suggesting a 3:1 mental-to-physical ratio in performance, and reflects on how COVID-19 reshaped his approach to coaching. From his roo...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 9 min
In today's podcast episode, we welcome back Kristen Kelsay, the Head Volleyball Coach at Michigan State University. With this inspiring new head coach, we dive into mindset, leadership, and team dynamics. She emphasizes the importance of betting on yourself, taking calculated risks, and making decisions based on personal values. Building psychological safety and trust within a team is crucial. Athletes need to feel safe to fail and learn; trust is built through small actions but can be lost quic...
Mar 18, 2025•42 min
On this episode of the Max Out Mindset Podcast , we welcome back Trish Siedlik , head coach of Bellevue University Volleyball, for an in-depth conversation about the journey to sustained success. Trish has built an incredible program, leading her team to multiple national tournament appearances and a recent national championship runner-up finish . With over 20 years of coaching experience , she has learned that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about culture, leadership, and the ability to ev...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 15 min
We welcome Jordy Bahl back for a second podcast episode, where she dives deeper into her incredible journey. Jordy shares her experiences transitioning from Oklahoma to Nebraska after an ACL injury and reflects on the evolving concept of "maxing out." She opens up about her struggles with perfectionism, adopting a "good enough" mindset, and embracing vulnerability to foster team unity. Jordy shares her strategies for overcoming challenges, such as leaning on spirituality, maintaining perspective...
Jan 17, 2025•49 min
Welcome to the Max Out Mindset Podcast. This is your host, Dr. Larry Widman, and my co-host, Coach Jess Knecht. Our guest today is someone who knows all about performing under pressure and achieving greatness. She has had an extraordinary athletic and coaching career. Her journey started as a standout athlete at Georgia Tech University, where she played on the right side and helped her team reach the Elite Eight in 2003. Her coaching career has been equally impressive, with stops at Appalachian ...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In this episode of the Max Out Mindset podcast, we explore the remarkable journey of Steven Ashworth, basketball player at Creighton University. Steven shares his experiences of overcoming challenges, from being doubted and undersized to becoming a key player through relentless work ethic and mental toughness. He reflects on his personal definition of "maxing out," which means surpassing expectations with the support of teammates, coaches, and for some, sports psychologists. Steven emphasizes th...
Oct 18, 2024•44 min
Today’s guest is an accomplished athlete from Elkhart, Indiana, a two-time state champion at Penn High School and an All-American at Purdue University. She was named the 2019 Best Opposite at the FIVB World Cup and USA Volleyball Player of the Year, having been a member of the national team since 2017. A key player on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic team that won the first-ever gold medal for U.S. Volleyball, she came off the bench as a game-changer before starting the final games, leading the team with ...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 19 min
We are thrilled to have a special guest on today’s episode: Brooke Nuneviller, a powerhouse in the world of volleyball. Brooke spent five remarkable years at the University of Oregon, where she made her mark as a four-time All-Pac-12 selection and a three-time AVCA All-American. She’s the first and only athlete in Pac-12 history to achieve over 1,500 kills and 2,000 digs in a career, a testament to her unmatched skill and dedication. Brooke has also been a vital member of the US Women’s National...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Today, we are thrilled to welcome Sydney Hilley to the Max Out Mindset podcast. Sydney was a four-time captain at the University of Wisconsin, showcasing her leadership and commitment. She was named Big 10 Setter of the Year three times, and for those Nebraska fans out there, you'll remember her stellar performance in the five-set victory that secured Wisconsin the 2021 National Championship. Sydney's collegiate career boasts 6,138 assists, with a remarkable 78 assists in a single match! On the ...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Join Kelly Kinney, a top volleyball recruit from West Palm Beach, FL, and a University of Minnesota commit. Kelly's journey of resilience and success is an inspiring story of overcoming adversity that led to her biggest breakthroughs. Her injury focused her determination to work harder, leading to remarkable achievements as a U19 and U21 USA Volleyball National Team member. Kelly shares valuable insights and strategies to help you cultivate a winning mindset to achieve your goals. Rejection, com...
Jun 25, 2024•46 min
From Cave Creek, Arizona, Kam Gibadlo grew up as a multi-sport athlete. She was recently named to the 2024 USA Volleyball U21 National Team roster and just completed her freshman year at the University of Utah. She earned post-season honors as she was named to the 2023 Pac-12 Freshman Team. Past accomplishments include being a member of the 2023 USAV GJNC 18 Open All-American team, where her team finished third in the nation. In this episode, Kam shares her inspiring journey and opens up about h...
May 24, 2024•42 min
Welcome to the Max Out Mindset podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Mia Lind, creator of the trademarked Hot Girl Walk, a four-mile journey focused on gratitude, goal-setting, and self-confidence. Mia shares how this simple walking routine transformed her life, helping her overcome teenage struggles with confidence and comparison on social media. Through regular practice of gratitude and focusing on her achievements during her walks, Mia learned to cultivate confidence from within. This rea...
May 10, 2024•50 min
In this episode of the Max Out Mindset podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Coach Paul Limongi, a highly accomplished football coach with an impressive track record. Although I have only known Coach Limongi for a couple of years, his impact on the athletic world has been significant and long-lasting. Before joining Westside High School, my alma mater, Coach Limongi, spent 16 years at Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska. During his tenure there, he led his team to one state championship in 2018 a...
Apr 19, 2024•49 min
Coach Sheffield is currently one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Women's Volleyball. He won a National Championship in 2021 and boasts a record of 292-61 at the time of this podcast. He has great insights into what it takes to help individual athletes max out as well as the collective team. Coach appears to have a wonderful mix of love and accountability that allows him to have challenging conversations when necessary. He has embraced the role that mindset training, in particular mindfuln...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Join us on this special episode with Statia and Henry Hendrix, parents of elite volleyball player Evan Hendrix. Statia and Henry share their journey navigating the world of elite youth sports, from finding the right club to fostering an empowering mindset. Discover their approach to nurturing their daughter's athletic potential while prioritizing her personal growth and robust value system. Gain wisdom on creating a supportive environment, embracing challenges, and walking the fine line between ...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Today, we have the pleasure of diving into the inspiring journey of Ellie Bolton, who has played at volleyball powerhouses in high school, club and college with roots in the Kansas City area. Ellie's early days were marked by her standout performances with the KC Power Play club and the formidable St. James Academy high school team, clinching back-to-back state championships and numerous individual accolades. However, as we know, the path to success in athletics is not always smooth. Upon joinin...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Introducing our latest episode on the Max Out Mindset Podcast with guest athlete, Rebekah Allick, a sophomore middle blocker from the University of Nebraska! Rebekah shares her journey of resilience and growth after the tough loss in the National Championship to Texas in the 2023 NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Learn how she faced her anxiety head-on and made a promise to be more authentic and invest in her team's relationships. She is a strong advocate for mindset training and strategies, and this ...
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to the Max Out Mindset podcast! Today, we have two amazing guests, Hannah and Lauren Camenzind, University of Arkansas softball athletes. These talented twin sisters have achieved incredible success in high school and during their first season in college. In this episode, we'll dive into their competitive bond and how it fuels their performance on the softball field. They'll share the importance of routines and how they contribute to their success. Plus, we'll learn more about why the po...
Jan 06, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Amanda is the Head Volleyball Coach at Sandra Day O'Connor High School (AZ), the 2023 6A State Champions. She is also the Club Director at Revolution Volleyball Academy (RVA). She was inducted into ASU's Hall of Fame in 2010 and was an AVCA All-American in 2000. We discussed the team's journey and learned how they leaned into their second scorecard. Amanda shares the importance of mindset training, and that confidence needs to be trained like any physical skill. This episode provides insight for...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 11 min
I am so excited to welcome Ana to the Max Out Mindset podcast. She is an elite young woman who is the epitome of what it means to me gritty. I promise you she is a budding superstar in the sports media world, and the biggest reason, besides her innate talent, is that nobody will ever outwork her. We talk about the same mindset skills that she employs, such as visualization and mindfulness, to help her perform at a high level, often under pressure. I absolutely love her mantra, "If you can see it...
Nov 09, 2023•55 min
Diane is the President of Nebraska Pro Volleyball, home of the Omaha Supernovas. She has spent a large part of her life in and around the sport of volleyball. We discuss her journey that has led to this exact moment in time where she can use all of her experiences to help the Pro Volleyball League be a smashing success. It was fun to discuss mindset and the role that it plays in maximizing performance. After listening to the way Diane thinks about organizations, teams, leaders and people, you wi...
Oct 13, 2023•49 min
We are very excited to welcome back Coach Booth, Head Coach of Creighton University's volleyball team, to the Max Out Mindset podcast. She was our first guest on the podcast in February 2020. Lots have changed in the world since our last visit, but one thing that hasn't changed is her team's continued ability to put themselves in a position to max out. Her teams since 2014 have posted an impressive record of 156-11 in the Big East Conference and have had an amazing run of nine straight conferenc...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 6 min
We welcome Tristan Alvano, a true freshman starting kicker for the University of Nebraska football team, to the Max Out Mindset podcast. You will learn how he trains his mental skills through meditation and visualization. Tristan was a record-breaking kicker for Omaha Westside High School. Alvano set state all-class records for most field goals in a game and in a season, while his 27 career field goals were the most in Class A history. He was honored as a first-team high school All-American as a...
Sep 01, 2023•52 min
Welcome Nebraskan and current University of Washington softball pitcher to the Max Out Mindset podcast. She has had tremendous success in high school and that success continued during her first year in college. It was so fun to hear her story and learn how she leans into a growth mindset to navigate the adjustment to the college softball world. She is a big believer in learning from setbacks and using coaches, teammates and her own mindset strategies to help elevate performance. Like most high p...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Welcome Coach Todd Petersen to the Max Out Mindset podcast. As one of the best coaches in the history of Nebraska High School and Club Softball, he shares many nuggets to help other coaches and athletes max out when it matters the most. He has continued a long pattern of success as the head coach of Papillion-Lavista High School softball, and has coached arguably the most talented high school team ever to suit up in Nebraska. Yet, even during those years, he was always making sure that there wer...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 1 min
The University of Minnesota Associate Head Volleyball Coach, Kristen Kelsay, joins the Max Out Mindset podcast! She shares the wisdom she gained from her seven years of experience as an assistant coach in the Big Ten, including four with Michigan State (2015-18) and three with Northwestern (2019-21). Learn from her experience as a college athlete at Michigan State under former Head Coach, Cathy George, and how it led to jump-starting her coaching journey. Hear insights into her time as a Gopher ...
Jun 27, 2023•52 min
One of the GOAT’s of college softball, Jordy Bahl, joins Coach Jess and I on the Max Out Mindset podcast. She just won her 2nd National Championship in college softball. She was 5-0 while pitching 24 2/3 innings of shut-out softball in the 2023 College World Series, while being named the MVP of the College World Series, This episode is jam-packed with mindset strategies to help any high performer improve in their craft and life. Jordy is open about some of the challenges she has faced in the pas...
Jun 09, 2023•49 min
Coach Tonya Johnson; Empowering Women in Volleyball Welcome LSU Women’s Head Volleyball Coach Tonya Johnson to the Max Out Mindset podcast. She has been very successful at all levels of her sport, including as a player and coach. She is in her second year as head Volleyball coach at LSU. It will become apparent in this conversation that Coach has a very high level of emotional intelligence. You will learn how she models the behavior that she wants from her team. There are gems and nuggets galore...
May 19, 2023•56 min
Phekran Kong (PK) | Grace & Gratitude Welcome Phekran Kong (PK) from the University of Louisville Volleyball team to the Max Out Mindset Podcast! PK is a 6'3" middle blocker who played a valuable role in her team's historic appearance in the 2022 NCAA Women's Volleyball National Championship. PK shares why grace and gratitude allow her to stay composed during competition. Having a goldfish memory helps her mind not to dwell in the past but to stay present in the moment. She also shares why h...
Apr 27, 2023•50 min
