More Than An Armband
Leadership in sports goes far beyond the captain’s armband. It’s about stepping up, inspiring others, and making an impact—during and outside of competition. Welcome to More Than An Armband, the podcast that dives into how athletes lead during competition and how they carry those lessons into life beyond the game. From game-changing moments to navigating the next chapter of your life, we’re breaking down what it truly means to lead. Lead by host and founder of Captain’s University, Anja Koehler.
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
In this bonus segment, Lu speaks on her passions beyond the game, sustainability, and how they support her ability to support the community as well as connect and continue to lead your teammates.
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
The Steady Strength of Leadership: NWSL Veteran Lu Barnes on Shaping the Next Generation
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
In this episode of the More Than an Armband podcast, host Anja Koehler sits down with Lu Barnes, a veteran NWSL leader and mentor to the next generation of athletes. With over a decade of experience in professional soccer, Lu shares her journey from a young player navigating the early days of the league to becoming a steady force of leadership for the Seattle Reign.
They dive into the evolution of leadership in sports, exploring how Lu transitioned from leading by example to actively mentoring younger players. She reflects on the challenges of fostering team culture, the importance of adaptability, and the responsibility of passing the torch to emerging leaders. Her insights highlight that leadership isn’t just about wearing the armband—it’s about showing up consistently, building connections, and elevating those around you.
Listeners will gain valuable takeaways, including:
How to lead authentically, even as an introvert.
The impact of mentorship on building a strong team culture.
Why leadership is about investing in others, not just holding a title.
Join us in this inspiring episode as Lu Barnes shares her perspective on leadership, resilience, and the future of women’s soccer.
Follow Lu Barnes:InstagramTwitter/X
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
What is More Than An Armband?
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Anja describes her journey to founding Captain's University, the mission to empower women leaders, and why we are launching More Than An Armband. In this short preview, Anja hopes to express that everyone's leadership journey is different. Many listeners may not know their next step to lead effectively and captain their life. More Than An Armband aims to share the stories and tools of leaders in their athletic journey and beyond.