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. Led by host and founder of Captain’s University, Anja Koehler.
Breaking Records, Building Leaders You'd Walk Through Fire For with Lilly King
Lilly King — Fierce, Fun, and Fostering the Next Generation of Leaders
In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja sits down with seven-time Olympic medalist and Indiana University swimming legend Lilly King. Lilly traces her path from a competitive Evansville household to becoming one of the most outspoken leaders in American swimming — including the moment at age 12 that convinced her an Olympic career wasn't just a dream, but a plan.
The conversation digs into what it actually means to lead an individual sport wrapped inside a team: how Lilly learned the hard way that being the fastest swimmer in the pool didn't automatically make her a good teammate, the pep talk she gave her Indiana team before Big Ten Championships that she credits with a mindset shift, and the moment she got disqualified mid-meet and had to compartmentalize her own disappointment to support five teammates racing their only event of the day. She also opens up about being the team's go-to spokeswoman on hard topics — including calling out doping — and what it meant to be voted captain by her peers again and again, even in years she wasn't wearing the title.
The episode closes with Lilly's reflections on retiring at the IU Natatorium where her career began, her new chapter mentoring the next generation of swimmers with Lead Sports Co., and her one piece of advice for any young athlete stepping into leadership for the first time: trust yourself.
In this episode:
Building an Olympic dream from a competitive household
Learning the difference between task-oriented and relationship-oriented leadership
Holding a team accountable before a championship meet
Compartmentalizing disappointment to support teammates
Being the "spokeswoman" for hard conversations
Closing a career full circle at home
23 Sept 2026
BONUS! Angelina Anderson's Rapid Fire — Favorite Album, Japan & an Empty SoFi Stadium
In this bonus drop from our episode with Angel City FC's Angelina Anderson, she runs through her rapid-fire favorites — her all-time favorite album, the country that stole her heart on a soccer trip, and the surreal moment standing in an empty SoFi Stadium the day before a USWNT game.
9 Sept 2026
Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC) — Leading Vets, Handling Criticism & Life on the B-Side
In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja sits down with Angelina Anderson, goalkeeper and captain for Angel City FC in the NWSL. Angelina opens up about her path from Cal Berkeley, where she was named Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year and served as team captain, to the professional ranks and USWNT camp.
They dig into what it actually takes to lead teammates who are older, more experienced, and sometimes your closest friends, including the story of learning to hold veteran captain Sarah Gordon accountable. Angelina also gets honest about a season where a critical teammate shook her confidence, and the mental reframe that helped her lead through it, plus a moment where a younger player held her to a higher standard instead.
The conversation closes on life outside the sport: why Angelina believes having an identity beyond soccer actually makes her a better athlete, and the story behind B-Side, her passion project exploring the overlap between athletes and musicians.
In this episode:
Leading players older and more experienced than you
Staying grounded when your confidence takes a hit
Why accountability can come from anywhere on the team
Building an identity outside of sport
The origin story of B-Side
Follow Angelina: @angelinaanderson_ | B-Side: @bsidebyangelina
Who has been a guest on More Than An Armband
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Shinya Kadono
Cathy Helin
San Junqua
Sam Junqua
Becky Sauerbrunn
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
18
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact More Than An Armband
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about More Than An Armband
Who hosts More Than An Armband?
Anja Koehler host the show. Published by Anja Koehler.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does More Than An Armband take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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