The Threshold Lab
The Threshold Lab is where “aha” moments and insights go to lift weights. Each episode cracks open a fundamental principle from the world of high performance and aims to transform how you think, work, and lead. Think of it like unlocking a door you’ve passed a hundred times, only to find it opens into a whole new way of thinking. If you're into mindset, growth, and the occasional mental mic drop, you're in the right lab.
Zach Brandon is a coach, speaker, and thought leader blending principles from psychology, coaching, and high performance to empower others toward personal and professional excellence.
Episodes
21 episodes
The Etch A Sketch Reset
Every performer makes mistakes, but not every performer knows how to let them go. In this episode, we use the Etch A Sketch as a metaphor for mental resets and explore why "forgetting on purpose" can actually sharpen your performance. You’ll he...
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Episode 21
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7:20
Stuck Circling
Ever watch a dog spin in circles before lying down? It’s instinct. But it’s also a perfect metaphor for how we as humans spin and circle our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. In this episode, we break down why our brains crave familiarity (eve...
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Episode 20
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7:16
Tiny Mistakes, Big Consequences
In this episode, we explore the true story of the Hubble Space Telescope, a $1.5 billion marvel nearly rendered useless because of a mirror flaw just two microns wide. In high performance, it’s the little things that make the biggest d...
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Episode 19
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6:15
The $1.5 Million Dollar Note
When Albert Einstein couldn’t offer a tip to a hotel bellboy, he handed him a handwritten note with a quiet truth about happiness and ambition. Nearly a century later, that note still speaks to the tension so many high performers feel: Chasing ...
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Episode 18
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4:57
Friction
Ever tried canceling a subscription and felt like the company really didn’t want to let you go? In this episode, I unpack what a recent experience reminded me about friction. Drawing from insights in The Friction Project, we e...
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Episode 17
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7:31
Drip By Drip
Real growth isn’t always loud or dramatic. It’s often quiet and steady. In this episode, we unpack why consistency matters more than intensity and how small daily efforts build momentum that lasts. Using the metaphor of water gradually splittin...
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Episode 16
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6:47
Greatness Runs With Company
Most people know Roger Bannister for breaking the 4-minute mile, but few know the names of the pacers who helped him get there. In this episode, we explore what high performers can learn from Bannister, Eliud Kipchoge, and others who achieved g...
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Episode 15
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5:20
Derek Jeter and the Power of Choice
In this episode, we break down key lessons from Derek Jeter’s recent commencement speech at the University of Michigan and explore the power of choice. From quiet accountability to intentional action, we reflect on how the small, unseen decisio...
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Episode 14
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6:35
Take the Next Step
When the future is uncertain it can lead us to feeling lost and stuck. In this episode, we explore a beautiful exchange in the children's book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and what it teaches us about making progr...
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Episode 13
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5:40
Ghost Ships
We all carry regrets—the "ghost ships" of opportunities we didn’t take, paths we didn’t follow, and choices we wish we could redo. But what if those regrets weren’t just painful reminders, but powerful guides?In this episode, we explore ...
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Episode 12
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6:58
Simple Systems, Consistent Results
What does a Japanese airport’s flawless track record have to do with high performance? In this episode, we explore how Kansai International Airport built a system that delivers world-class consistency, not by doing more, but by doing the basics...
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Episode 11
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7:24
Librarian to Warrior
We live in an age of endless information, but are we actually using it? This episode explores the difference between gathering knowledge and applying it, inspired by the idea that many of us have become librarians of the mind instead o...
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Episode 10
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5:36
Swaying Skyscrapers
This episode explores why skyscrapers are a great metaphor for how to prepare and perform at your best. Just like skyscrapers, the best performers are grounded in who they are, but flexible enough to adapt when things get tough. High performers...
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Episode 9
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5:56
The Goal Gradient Effect
Ever felt that sudden burst of energy when the finish line comes into view? That’s not random, but it is phenomenon known as the Goal Gradient Effect. In this short episode, we break down how your brain’s built-in “turbo boost” works, why visib...
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Episode 8
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5:04
Cut the Rope
What if fear isn't a sign to stop, but a signal you’re on the edge of something meaningful? In this episode, I share the story of Elisha Otis and how he risked his career (and life) in front of a live audience. We'll discuss how fear is often j...
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Episode 7
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6:21
The Sandbox Mindset
What if your best growth didn’t come from following a rigid path, but rather from playing in the sandbox?In this episode, we explore why the world’s best performers embrace play and experimentation instead of following a rigid path o...
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Episode 6
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5:44
You Get to Be the Author
What if the story you’re telling yourself is holding you back more than the actual event? In this episode, we explore how the way you frame your experiences (the good or the bad) shapes your mindset and momentum. You’ll hear a humbling pick-up ...
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Episode 5
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7:28
No One Drifts Into Greatness
At the start of any journey, our purpose is usually clear. But what happens when distraction and fatigue sets in and that clarity fades? In this episode, we explore why elite performers don’t drift into greatness, they steer into it. U...
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Episode 4
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6:17
Crumpled, Not Worthless
What do a crumpled $100 bill, Rory McIlroy, and your self-worth have in common? In this episode, we explore why your value doesn’t change, no matter the results. You’ll hear a simple story with a powerful message, and a reminder that you are no...
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Episode 3
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4:41