More Than An Armband

Shin's Journey: Resilience & Leadership

In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja Koehler sits down with Shinya Kadono, former professional soccer player, longtime captain, and creator of Shin’s Journey, to explore what leadership really looks like when the results are uncertain and the path forward is unclear.
From growing up in Japan and immigrating to the U.S., to overcoming early setbacks, hard feedback, and self-doubt, Shinya shares the defining moments that shaped his resilience. He reflects on his time at the University of California, Berkeley, where he went from bench player to team captain, learning how consistency, personal accountability, and quiet leadership earn trust over time.
The conversation dives deep into leading through adversity, navigating injuries, handling pressure when results don’t come, and what it means to be a captain who leads by example rather than volume. Shinya also discusses his professional career, captaining young teams, and why documenting his journey through YouTube became a way to lead beyond the locker room.
This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about status or titles. It’s about showing up, doing the work when no one is watching, and continuing to move forward even when the path is uncertain.
Youtube: Shin's Journey
TikTok
Instagram

Bonus Segment! Cathy Helin on Entreprenuership

Hear as Cathy describes how her previous entreprenuership experience supported the founding of BearCat Coaching. 

Believing in You - Lessons from Bearcat Coaching’s Cathy Helin

Content Advisory: This episode contains brief discussion about eating disorders and mental health. Please listen with care and step away if needed.
In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja sits down with Cathy Helin - Hall of Famer, former elite athlete, business owner, and founder of Bearcat Coaching - for a powerful conversation about confidence, leadership, and the courage to be authentically yourself.
Cathy shares her journey from growing up in a small Minnesota town to discovering her voice through basketball, overcoming adversity, and learning what it truly means to lead with integrity and heart. She and Anja reflect on their shared work with the University of Minnesota Crookston Women’s Basketball program and the importance of building trust, communication, and belief across an entire roster.
This episode dives into:
How adversity shapes confidence
Why every athlete needs to understand their role
The importance of connection and lifting others up
What it takes to build a unified, resilient team culture
Cathy’s mission to empower the next generation of female leaders
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, Cathy’s insights will challenge, inspire, and stay with you long after you listen.
 

Bonus Segment! Fostering Animals with San Junqua

This bonus segment includes how Sam Junqua leads off the field by fostering animals. 

Sam Junqua on Adaptability, Mindset, and his MLS Journey

Real Salt Lake defender Sam Junqua joins More Than an Armband to talk about adaptability, mindset, and connection in the MLS. From trades to transitions, he shares how mindfulness and service shape his approach to leadership and consistency.

Bonus Segment! Becky Sauerbrunn's Favorite...

This bonus segment includes a rapid fire question session with Becky.

Becky Sauerbrunn: Leading the USWNT Legacy Forward

Becky Sauerbrunn joins More Than an Armband to reflect on her journey as captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team - from learning to lead authentically to carrying one of the most successful programs in sports history. She shares what it means to lead with steady strength, the lessons from Tokyo 2021, and how her generation intentionally passed the baton to the next wave of U.S. women’s soccer leaders.

Bonus Segment! Camryn Bynum: Self Leadership & The Bynum Faith Foundation

Two weeks ago, we heard a brand new episode of More Than an Armband. Enjoy this bonus segment on Camryn’s work and calling off the field with the Bynum Faith Foundation and his take on why he describes his life as a “movie.”

Camryn Bynum: NFL Leadership, Faith-Fueled Purpose, and a Life Like a Movie

NFL safety Camryn Bynum says his life is a movie. From leading the Indianapolis Colts defense to launching joy-filled post-play celebrations and building sustainable impact through the Bynum Faith Foundation, Cam opens up about what it means to lead with clarity, purpose, and service. He shares powerful insights on transitioning from follower to leading by voice, overcoming the fear of speaking up, and why the most effective leaders remove confusion. Whether you’re a student-athlete or seasoned coach, this episode is full of game-ready wisdom on becoming the kind of leader your team needs - on and off the field.
 
Bynum Faith Foundation
Camryn Bynum 

Bonus Segment! Laura Schott's Experience Broadcasting on Game Day

Laura Schott describes her experience broadcasting on game day at the art of improvising.