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.
The Threshold Lab
Kibwe Johnson | Univ. of Maryland and USATF Head Throws Coach | “Athletes see everything, even what you think they don’t.”
Today's guest is two-time Olympian Kibwé Johnson. He joins the show with one of the most decorated careers in U.S. hammer history including being a five-time U.S. Champion, Pan American Games gold medalist and record holder, and a three-time NCAA Champion. He also holds the world record for the combined hammer–discus–weight throw and represented the United States at four World Championships.
Kibwé has since built an impressive coaching path through IMG Academy, SPIRE Academy, Southeastern Louisiana, and now the University of Maryland, where he serves as Throws Coach. He was also the USA Track & Field Men’s Team Head Throws Coach for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
In our conversation, we talk about the artistry of throwing, creating the right conditions for athletes to find their individual movement, the Dao of the hammer, and how his own misalignments as an athlete shaped the coach he is today. We also explore the role of patience, curiosity, and fatherhood in his development as a leader.
Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[5:18] — The Artistry of Throwing
[7:23] — "Creating the Conditions" for Athletes
[10:36] — Learning to Embrace Individuality as a Thrower
[16:54] — How Kibwe Would Coach His Younger Self
[18:57] — Solving Movement Riddles
[24:15] — The Dao of the Hammer
[30:53] — The Yin & Yang for Effort
[37:10] — Letting Go of Ego
[46:32] — Kibwe's Process for Learning
[49:48] — Creating the Conditions for Flow
[53:14] — Most Important Mental Skill for Athletes
[1:02:05] — Breaking Out of Plateaus
[1:05:05] — Creating Something that Didn't Exist When He Competed
Learn More About Kibwe:
- To learn more about Kibwe's coaching and his work, I'd encourage you to follow his journey here: https://www.instagram.com/martillokibwe/?hl=en
Learn More About Zach:
- For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/
- If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
