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
133 episodes
The One Word That Strengthens Emotional Agility
There’s a simple mental shift that separates a performer's ability to react vs. respond. The shift boils down to one word that can be the difference between getting stuck in struggle or uncomfortable emotions and moving forward productively. To...
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Episode 133
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5:59
Getting Over vs. Getting Through
We often talk about “getting over” hard moments, but what if the real growth comes from "getting through" them? In this episode, we explore the process of moving through discomfort in the form of pain, transitions, and uncertainty. It's a remin...
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Episode 132
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4:54
The Psychology of Buy-In: From Rolexes to Relationships
This episode unpacks the shared psychology behind consumer choices and buying-in to a leader's influence. We examine the psychology of buy-in and why status matters, how trust forms, and what the best coaches do to connect both.
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Episode 131
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4:26
What Game Are You Playing?
Inspired by a Naval Ravikant quote that differentiates status games vs. natural games, this episode examines how that distinction shows up on a daily basis in all our lives. In this episode, we explore how to recognize which game you’r...
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Episode 130
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6:41
Drownproofing
In Navy SEAL training, there’s a brutal exercise called drownproofing. Your hands and feet are bound, you’re dropped into deep water and told to survive for five minutes. The harder you fight, the faster you sink. The key to surviving ...
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Episode 129
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5:58
How Social Support Shapes Our Brain
One of the most precious gifts you can extend to others is your presence. In this episode, we explore stories of human connection, from an unexpected moment of silence on Theo Von's podcast to a daycare teacher who helped a child breathe and ca...
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Episode 128
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5:53
The Necessity for Darkness
Today's message is inspired by a quote from the American philosopher and writer, Robert Pirsig, and illustrates why we all need to create more idle space in our lives. We discuss the danger of overconsuming information, a reflection from Los An...
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Episode 127
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5:13
Guarding a Concrete Slab
What happens when you keep doing something long after its purpose is gone? In this episode, we explore the parable of soldiers guarding a concrete slab and how we are all prone to cling to old habits, beliefs, or traditions. You’ll walk away re...
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Episode 126
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5:10
The Coaching Skill No One Teaches
We spend countless hours learning how to communicate better, but rarely how to say less. In performance environments overflowing with instruction and feedback, silence might be the most underused coaching tool. The best leaders don’t just know ...
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Episode 125
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6:20
Opportunities in Disguise
Life constantly presents new opportunities, but most of them don’t look like opportunities at first. In this episode, we explore how reframing frustration and inconveniences can turn everyday setbacks into moments for growth. From a wrong dinne...
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Episode 124
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5:25
Nate Shaw | Arizona Diamondbacks Major League Strength & Conditioning Cooordinator | "There is nothing more precious on this planet than feedback from trusted teammates."
Nate Shaw has served as the Major League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2006. As a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Registered Str...
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Episode 123
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1:04:17
Work the Cut
In boxing, the knockout punch is the focus for most highlight reels, but the best fighters know the real work happens cut by cut. Drawing inspiration from a recent viral clip and quote from Dan Lanning (University of Oregon Football Coach), thi...
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Episode 122
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7:10
Remembering the Wisdom of Ken Ravizza
Ken Ravizza is a legend in sport psychology and I was fortunate to learn directly from him as a mentee during grad school. In this episode, I share three timeless reminders from Ken and one unforgettable story about perspective that continues t...
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Episode 121
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8:01
Molly Miller | Arizona State Women's Basketball Head Coach | "Communication is expected, commitment is required."
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 Unive...
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Episode 120
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50:58
What I Wish You Knew...
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 sa...
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Episode 119
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4:27
The Power of Naming Your Fears
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. ...
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Episode 118
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7:07
Stop Running Marathons In Your Mind
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 ...
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Episode 117
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5:42
Why The Descent Can Be More Dangerous Than the Climb
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 conditio...
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Episode 116
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5:18
Brian Smith | University of Missouri Head Wrestling Coach | “We choose Tiger Style not because it's easy, but because it's hard."
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 qualifi...
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Episode 115
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1:12:51
The Punch You Don't See Coming
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 obsta...
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Episode 114
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5:25
How to Unleash Human Potential
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 essenti...
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Episode 113
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5:51
Alan Bratton | Oklahoma State Men's Golf Coach | “It’s not like you hold your players to one standard and yourself to another."
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...
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Episode 112
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1:13:38
Chasing Edges with Mike Macdonald
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 ...
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Episode 111
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5:16