The Leave It Better Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"Deserve Your Dream," with Colorado College Coach Sharon Dingman Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

When Sharon Dingman became the head coach of Colorado College volleyball, she realized she had a platform that she could do a lot more with than just win games. "Giving Back to the community" is a big part of Sharon's philosophy. A personal brush with cancer helped her discover HOW she could give back. Now Dingman is a Board Member with the Side-Out Foundation, helping in the fight against metastatic breast cancer. As it turns out, a special encounter with Janice put Sharon on this new path. Hear why she's a believer and more excited than ever about her new mission.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

A Seat at the Head of the Table for Female Coaches, with Dr. Cecile Reynaud Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

At just 22 years old, Cecile Reynaud was thrust into being the Head Coach of Florida State University’s Women’s Volleyball program. As one of the top female coaches, Cecile recognized many women in the sports coaching world weren’t being taken as seriously as their male counterparts. So Cecile decided to do something about it. She’s now spent decades uplifting other female coaches across all sports.

Dr. Cecile Reynaud's lifetime of achievement and ambition is currently being put to the test as the Vice President of Volleyball Operations for the Pro Volleyball Federation.

Janice spoke to her just days before the Pro Volleyball Federation held its first ever national championship game.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

What it Takes to Win More than Anyone Else, with Mary Wise May 29, 2025

Show notes

Meet the winningest female coach in Division I volleyball history: Mary Wise. She led the Florida Gators for 34 seasons. Find out what it takes to build a remarkable career, in the face of early challenges. Hear how a little luck went a long way. Also, Mary and Janice touch on the importance of mentorship, and the evolution of volleyball at the University of Florida.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

The World Record Crowd, with Lindsay Peterson May 22, 2025

Show notes

On August 2nd, 2023, sports history was made at a volleyball game in Lincoln, Nebraska. More than 92,000 fans packed into a stadium to watch an NCAA match — making it the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s sport.

As the Director of Operations for the University of Nebraska’s Volleyball program, Lindsay Peterson helped put together the largest attended women’s game in history. How did it happen? How can it be repeated? And what’s next for the future of the sport in stadiums and on TV? Lindsay gives Janice her insider perspective.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Players with Purpose: The Grand Rapids Rise's Camryn Turner and Paige Briggs-Romine are here to Inspire May 15, 2025

Show notes

Two of the Grand Rapids Rise's top players, Camryn Turner and Paige Briggs-Romine, chat with Janice about the new fame they've found since stepping up from college volleyball into the pro league. Paige and Camryn share their personal stories of beating the odds, and the differences they've had going from a male coach to a woman. Hear about their involvement in the 'Players with Purpose' campaign supporting breast cancer awareness, and how it ties into a much bigger mission.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

From College to the Pros: Dedicating your life to the game, with star athletes Sydney Hilley and Kendall White May 08, 2025

Show notes

Thinking about a career in professional volleyball? Star players Kendall White and Sydney Hilley share what it’s really like. From the NCAA, to the Omaha Supernovas, Kendall and Sydney are charting a path for future players with the United States’ Pro Volleyball Federation.

They’ve played professional volleyball for various countries around the world, where overcoming the language barrier is as difficult as dealing with the thousands of miles separating them from their friends and families. They talk to Janice about the differences competing back in the U.S. for the first time.

Learn about the mindset Sydney and Kendall bring to the court, where they’re trying to beat former teammates in front of a crowd of new fans.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

The 100/100 Approach: Coach Becky Schmidt on Volleyball Performance Preparation May 01, 2025

Show notes

Hope College Coach Becky Schmidt and her teams have been to the NCAA Division III Tournament 15 different times in 20 years. Find out what it takes to sustain that sort of intensity and talent! Becky also shares how she utilizes her assistant coaches for maximum effect. Volleyball has changed over the years. Hear why your coaching methods may not be keeping up with the times.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

You Can Do It - Now Believe It! With Cathy George Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

If you treat your players like family, they will fight for you like family. That is one of Coach Cathy George’s principles. As the current Head Coach of the Grand Rapids Rise professional volleyball federation team, and the winningest coach in the history of Michigan State’s volleyball program, Cathy has dedicated her life to raising the best players in the sport. Often times that has involved inviting her players over to her home for the holidays, when they can’t be home with their families.

Through numerous NCAA tournament appearances, Cathy has learned the secret to pushing young players past their breaking points – helping them achieve new levels of skill they didn’t think reach.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Humor and Healing: How Michigan Coach Kathy DeBoer Overcame Her Stroke Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

We all have setbacks, but the Michigan State University Hall of Famer Kathy DeBoer's setback nearly killed her. Kathy suffered a devastating stroke while she was Executive Director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, forcing her to learn how to talk and use parts of her body all over again. She tells Janice about the health risks she ignored, and about how positivity, persistence, and humor are helping her recover.

Kathy still has a challenging time speaking, but her strong will and hilarious attitude will leave you laughing while feeling inspired.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

Winning isn't Easy, but Never Losing is Much Harder, with Candace Moats Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

What does it take not only rack up an impressive win streak, but to find the confidence to keep that streak going?

In 2023, Indiana Wesleyan University’s Candace Moats was honored with multiple ‘Coach of the Year’ awards, in part to her team finishing with a flawless 38 wins and zero losses season (the first time in 6 years for any NAIA volleyball team to accomplish).

Coach Moats has been coaching volleyball competitively for 40 years. She shares her advice for not caving to the high-stakes pressure. We also hear about the benefit of surrounding yourself with people that you may not always agree with.

Links mentioned:

For more information go to www.side-out.org.
Follow the side-out organization on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutfndn/
Have suggestions for the podcast? Email Janice: leaveitbetter@side-out.org

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