In Part 2 of the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, Susan shares Kelsey’s journey, a rollercoaster recruiting process full of setbacks, detours, and unexpected turns that ultimately led her exactly where she was meant to be.

From committing to her second-choice school, to decommitting after a coaching change, to finally landing at the program she loved all along, Kelsey’s story proves that the muddy middle isn’t a sign of failure — it’s just part of the process.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or tempted to give up, this episode will encourage you to keep going. Because, as Susan reminds us, success in recruiting always goes to the girl who wants it the most.

Chapters

00:00 – The muddy middle: why recruiting rarely feels perfect

02:30 – The lake + island analogy: what the process is really like

05:00 – Why the “mud” creates doubt and second-guessing

06:15 – Meet Kelsey: her junior year recruiting journey

08:30 – First full-ride offer vs. holding out for her dream school

10:30 – Committing to her second-choice school

11:00 – When her coach left — and why she decommitted

12:30 – How roster movement creates new opportunities

13:45 – The dream school reappears (and makes an offer)

15:00 – Why the mud isn’t failure, it’s the middle

16:00 – Encouragement for athletes in the messy middle

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Welcome to the Real Recruiting Stories mini-series, where we highlight the behind-the-scenes journeys of athletes navigating the ups and downs of the college recruiting process.

In this first episode, Susan shares Emily’s inspiring path, a story that proves success isn’t always straightforward. After being offered a non-traditional role as a team manager instead of a roster spot, Emily faced a choice: walk away, or step in and keep working toward her dream.

Her decision, relentless effort, and unshakable belief turned what looked like a setback into an incredible opportunity, earning her a full roster spot and a chance to thrive at the college level.

This episode is a reminder that while the recruiting process can feel uncertain, your success is inevitable if you don’t give up.

Chapters

00:00 – Why every recruiting journey looks different

02:30 – The messy middle nobody sees on Instagram

04:45 – Why “your success is inevitable if you don’t give up”

07:20 – The dartboard analogy: what recruiting really looks like

09:40 – Meet Emily: her unique offer and non-traditional path

12:35 – How Emily outworked expectations (and earned trust fast)

14:55 – From manager to roster spot: how she turned it around

16:30 – The bigger lesson: control what you can, believe in yourself

19:30 – Closing thoughts & how this story can guide your journey

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

In this episode, Susan sits down with Aquiles Montoya, Head Coach at Cal State Northridge, to pull back the curtain on the recruiting process.

From what catches a coach’s eye, to how they evaluate players, to the biggest mistakes athletes make in their emails, Coach Montoya gives candid, insider advice you won’t find on a recruiting website. Whether you’re in the Class of 2027 or already deep in the process, this conversation will help you approach your recruiting journey with confidence and strategy.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Coach Montoya + his journey to becoming Head Coach at CSUN
02:30 – How recruiting differs between D1, D2, and D3
05:15 – What coaches really look for in highlight videos
08:00 – The difference between interest and a real recruiting relationship
10:45 – Email mistakes that get athletes ignored
13:00 – How much academics really matter
15:30 – Why personality and communication skills are huge for recruiting
18:15 – The impact of social media on recruiting decisions
21:00 – When to follow up with coaches (and how often)
24:00 – Why playing at the right level matters more than chasing a logo
27:15 – The best way to stand out at showcases and tournaments
30:00 – How to know if a program is truly the right fit for you
32:45 – Coach Montoya’s final advice to athletes and parents

Connect with Coach Montoya

Instagram: @aquilesthethird

CSUN IG: @csunwomensvb

Website: https://gomatadors.com/sports/womens-volleyball

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

It’s not your skills, your stats, or your schedule. It’s the thought you keep believing.

In this episode, Susan reveals the real reason athletes stay stuck, spiral into self-doubt, and lose momentum during the recruiting process, and it has nothing to do with talent.

She breaks down the mindset model that changed her life and now helps her clients build lasting confidence, recover from rejection, and show up like the next-level version of themselves.

You’ll hear how one single thought can impact how you feel, how you act, and ultimately what kind of results you create, both in recruiting and in life.

Chapters:

00:00 – Why mindset—not motivation—is the real key to success
02:00 – The problem with toxic positivity and fake confidence
04:15 – Why "just be positive" doesn't actually work
06:30 – The mindset model: how your thoughts shape your emotions and actions
08:00 – The power of awareness: recognizing what you’re actually thinking
10:00 – Two athletes. One rejection. Two totally different outcomes
13:00 – How to create belief that feels real (not fake or forced)
15:30 – Emotional responsibility: owning your reaction without shame
18:00 – The difference between “delusional” belief and aligned belief
20:00 – Why most athletes sabotage themselves after things get hard
23:00 – Final thoughts + how to shift your story starting today

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

This is the episode that explains it all.
Why volleyball. Why mindset. Why Susan.

In this heartfelt solo episode, Susan opens up about the real journey behind the NXTVB Podcast and coaching platform. From resigning from a top club director role to almost starting an interior design business—and how a trip to Magnolia, a mindset breakthrough, and a $21K life coaching investment led her right back to volleyball.

You’ll hear how Susan’s own experiences as a D1 athlete, coach, mom, and entrepreneur shaped her passion for helping girls not only get recruited—but also become the version of themselves who can thrive in life at the next level.

This is the full-circle moment, and the foundation of everything NXTVB stands for.

Chapters:

00:00 – From Dallas to Waco: how Joanna Gaines sparked this story
02:00 – Why Susan almost became an interior designer
03:30 – Resigning from her dream volleyball job during COVID
06:00 – When the weight loss journey led to a mindset breakthrough
08:45 – Discovering coaching tools that changed everything
10:30 – The turning point: student-athlete mental health in the headlines
12:00 – The moment Susan knew she needed to help athletes
13:45 – The $21K life coaching certification (and why it was worth it)
15:30 – How her academic background tied into athlete development
18:00 – Why she didn’t end up working in athletic departments
19:30 – Coaching, club roles, motherhood, and staying in the game
21:00 – Why mindset work and recruiting go hand in hand
23:30 – The mission of NXTVB: it’s not just about getting recruited
24:30 – The real reward: becoming the version of you who can do hard things
26:00 – What to expect on this podcast moving forward

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

You can have the skills, the highlight film, and the emails — but if your mindset isn’t right, none of it sticks.

In this powerful conversation, Susan brings on Desi, a certified mindset and performance coach and former college middle blocker, to break down what most athletes miss about confidence, handling disappointment, and navigating the mental side of recruiting.

They talk about why burying your emotions backfires, how to actually process disappointment (instead of pretending it’s fine), and why learning to fall in love with the process will change everything — on and off the court.

Whether you’re a top recruit or just trying to make your club team, this episode is a must-listen if you want to play your best under pressure and build the skills that last far beyond volleyball.

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Desi + why mindset matters
02:00 – Desi’s story: from headcase to certified mindset coach
05:30 – The difference between venting and real change
08:00 – Why positivity alone isn’t enough
10:00 – How to acknowledge disappointment without losing hope
13:30 – The power of asking why you aren’t a 10
16:00 – The 50/50 principle + how it applies to recruiting
19:30 – Understanding dopamine highs and lows
22:00 – Why celebrating small wins trains your brain for success
25:00 – How to prep before talking with coaches
28:00 – Getting out of “prove mode” and back to having fun
32:00 – Why coaches love athletes who create positive energy
35:00 – Final thoughts: focus on who you become, not just what you achieve

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Thinking about switching clubs? Read this before you jump.

In this episode, Susan breaks down the mindset and strategy behind deciding whether to stick with your current club or look for a new one. With tryouts coming up, it’s one of the biggest choices you’ll make for your volleyball journey — and Susan wants to help you get it right.

She dives into why there is no “perfect” club, how to balance playing time with long-term growth, and why sometimes the harder path might be the one that builds you into the strongest player. Susan also shares key insights on exposure, tournaments, and recruiting impact so you can weigh your options with confidence instead of stress.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome + why club decisions feel so big

02:00 – Volleyball vs. other sports: why club contracts change everything

04:00 – The 50/50 rule and why no club is perfect

06:30 – The myth of “if I switch, it will be easier”

09:00 – Who you become through challenge

11:00 – Playing time vs. growth — how to weigh it

13:30 – Susan’s personal story about choosing a harder path

16:00 – Exposure: what it actually means for recruiting

18:30 – The tournaments that matter most for college coaches

20:00 – Playing up or down: what coaches really think

22:30 – How to set expectations with your club experience

25:00 – Final advice for families making club decisions

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

College camps at clubs are booming — but are they really the recruiting goldmine everyone says they are?

In this episode, Susan teams up with Brett from Tribe Volleyball to break down exactly what athletes, parents, and coaches need to know about these camps. From how college coaches actually evaluate, to how athletes should prepare, to whether the cost is truly worth it, you’ll get real, behind-the-scenes insight on what these camps deliver (and what they don’t).

They cover why some camps cost more, how coaches decide which events to attend, and how you can get the most out of the experience — even if you’re not a “top recruit.” If you’re weighing options for summer showcases, this conversation will help you invest your time, energy, and money wisely.

00:00 – Intro: Why college camps at clubs are a hot topic
02:00 – How these camps work behind the scenes
04:30 – Why college coaches actually say yes to attend
06:00 – Costs, stipends, and what clubs provide for coaches
08:00 – Evaluating multiple athletes at once: the efficiency factor
10:00 – Why college coaches really like these events
13:00 – Should you only attend camps with your dream schools?
15:00 – What athletes should do before arriving
18:00 – The power of sending emails ahead of time
21:00 – How to use these camps to stand out (even if you’re not a star)
25:00 – Why exposure does not equal a guaranteed offer
28:00 – How to handle nerves and practice communication
30:00 – Final tips for picking the right camps for your goals

Connect with Brett:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribevbrecruiting

The Recruit Ready Intensive is our signature 1:1 program designed to help your athlete build confidence, clarify her next steps, and walk away with a clear recruiting game plan. For a limited time, enrollment includes a FREE pro highlight reel from Lumen Highlights ($200 value). Tap the link in the show notes to get started.

Click HERE for Recruit Ready

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.