NXTVB

Talent might open the door, but mindset determines who stays.
In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Susan sits down with Sonja Anderson to unpack what actually separates athletes who rise to the top from those who stall out, even when talent levels are similar.
Sonja’s journey spans every level of the game — from small-town high school volleyball to Division I All-American, 12 years playing professionally overseas, and competing with Team USA on the international stage. What kept her evolving wasn’t just skill, but the mental framework she built along the way.
Together, Susan and Sonja explore how mindset develops across each stage of an athlete’s career, why confidence alone isn’t enough, and how athletes can learn to adapt when the game gets harder and the margins get smaller.
This episode is essential listening for athletes who want longevity in the sport — and for parents who want to understand what truly supports growth beyond physical ability.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to the mindset conversation
01:30 – Sonja’s early volleyball journey
04:30 – Moving from small environments to elite competition
07:30 – When talent stops being the separator
10:00 – The mental shift required at higher levels
13:00 – Confidence vs mental durability
16:00 – Learning to adapt as the game gets faster
18:45 – Why discomfort signals growth
21:30 – What breaks athletes mentally as competition increases
24:00 – Parental support vs pressure
26:30 – Why mindset must evolve with skill
Connect with Sonja:
Instagram: @_sonjaanderson
Bio on Website: https://nxtvb.com/about
Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!
Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT
Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀
Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.
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 Part 2, Susan and Meredith move from experience to decision-making.They unpack how recruiting actually works across Ivy League, mid-major, and Power Four programs — including timelines, academic expectations, scholarships, financial aid, NIL, and rev share.
Meredith explains the Ivy League academic index, why recruiting timelines move differently, and common misconceptions that cause families to rule out options too early. They also compare needs-based aid and scholarships, and explain why “more money” doesn’t always equal a better fit. This episode gives families clarity and language to make smarter, more grounded recruiting decisions — without panic, pressure, or comparison.
Chapters
00:00 – Which athletes thrive in different D1 environments
03:00 – Power Four athlete traits vs Ivy League athlete traits
06:00 – Independence, pressure, and compartmentalization
09:30 – Recruiting priorities beyond volleyball skill
12:00 – Evaluating potential vs current level
14:30 – The Ivy League academic index explained
18:00 – Recruiting timelines and calculated risks
21:00 – Common Ivy League misconceptions
23:30 – Financial aid vs athletic scholarships
27:00 – Why Ivy League schools may be more affordable than expected
30:30 – Power Four scholarships, rev share, and NIL
34:00 – NIL vs rev share explained simply
37:30 – Choosing based on values, not hype
40:30 – “Would you still go there without volleyball?”
43:30 – Why recruiting is a marathon, not a sprint
46:30 – Final advice for athletes and families
Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!
Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT
Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀
Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.
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.

Division I volleyball isn’t one experience — and treating it like it is can lead families down the wrong path.
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Susan sits down with Meredith Schamun, a Division I coach who has coached at the Ivy League, mid-major, and Power Four levels. Meredith brings a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on what actually separates these environments beyond the label of “D1.”
They break down how time commitments, training windows, academic priorities, and daily expectations differ across Ivy League and Power Four programs — and why many athletes are surprised by what Division I really demands. This episode helps families zoom out and understand the landscape before making assumptions about where an athlete will truly thrive.
Chapters
00:00 – Why Division I is not one experience
02:00 – Meredith’s coaching journey across D1 environments
05:00 – How Ivy League volleyball compares to other D1 programs
08:15 – Time commitments: Ivy League vs Power Four
11:00 – Summer training and reporting differences
14:00 – Shorter seasons and limited training windows
17:00 – What surprises athletes most about Ivy League volleyball
20:30 – Power Four expectations and daily demands
23:30 – Adjusting as a freshman at a Power Four program
26:30 – Travel, holidays, and life balance
29:30 – Independence and self-management at each level
33:00 – Who tends to thrive in Ivy League environments
36:30 – Who thrives in Power Four environments
39:30 – Pressure, expectations, and culture differences
Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!
Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT
Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀
Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.
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 pulls back the curtain on something she rarely explains publicly: how she thinks about pricing, value, and the different levels of recruiting support at NXT VB. Fresh off a D3 high-academic camp weekend that reminded her why she loves this work, Susan shares the heart, intention, and ethics behind every “container” she offers, from free Instagram content, to Volleyball Recruiting School, to high-touch, long-term support.
This episode is about transparency. It’s about trust. It’s about helping families understand what they’re actually paying for when they invest in recruiting support — and why pricing isn’t just about access, but also about sustainability, care, and results. If you’ve ever wondered why recruiting support is priced the way it is, how to choose the right level of help, or what ethical support should look like in this space, this conversation will bring clarity.
Chapters
00:00 – Why Susan felt called to record this episode
01:00 – This episode is not coming from defensiveness
02:15 – Reputation, credibility, and why transparency matters
03:00 – Understanding “containers” and levels of support
03:30 – Container #1: Free content (Instagram, podcast, freebies)
05:00 – Why Instagram is a living resume, not an A-to-Z system
06:15 – The limits of free content and algorithm reality
06:30 – Container #2: Volleyball Recruiting School
07:45 – Why structure, timing, and curation matter
08:45 – Why this offer works best for freshmen and sophomores
09:45 – What families are really paying for in low-ticket education
10:45 – Container #3: Mid-ticket support (Recruit Ready Launch & Intensives)
12:00 – Evaluation, relativity, and finding true “fit”
13:15 – Why recruiting efficiency matters for athletes
14:30 – Highlight films, second opinions, and integrated support
15:45 – Container #4: Set for Success (high-touch, long-term support)
17:00 – Why advocacy is reserved for this level
18:30 – Trust with college coaches and protecting credibility
20:00 – Why Susan does not charge per call
21:15 – Avoiding dependency and empowering families instead
22:00 – Supply, demand, burnout, and sustainability
23:15 – Why NXT VB intentionally stays small
24:30 – Team values, trust, and who supports athletes behind the scenes
25:30 – How offers evolve without compromising values
26:15 – Education over pressure, clarity over fear
27:00 – Final reflections on trust, time
Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!
Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT
Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀
Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.
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.

What if your athlete didn’t wait until college to build her NIL,  but arrived on campus already prepared, confident, and visible? In this episode of the NXTVB Podcast, Susan sits down with Rebecca Martinez, former collegiate volleyball player, strength and conditioning coach, and social media strategist working directly with elite volleyball athletes in the NIL space.
Together, they break down what NIL really looks like behind the scenes — not the highlight reels you see online, but the mindset, strategy, and consistency that actually create opportunity. This conversation is a must-listen for athletes and parents who want to understand how social media, personal brand, and confidence intersect with recruiting, college athletics, and long-term success.
Chapters
00:00 – Why this NIL conversation matters
02:00 – Rebecca’s volleyball and NIL journey
04:30 – What NIL actually is (and what it’s not)
07:00 – Why athletes shouldn’t wait until college to think about NIL
10:00 – Common social media mistakes athletes make
13:00 – Why follower count doesn’t equal opportunity
16:00 – Storytelling, voiceovers, and building real connection
19:30 – What brands actually look for in NIL partnerships
22:30 – Why local brands are a great starting point
25:00 – Confidence, fear, and showing up before you feel ready
28:00 – Being seen vs being marketable
31:00 – How NIL can benefit both the athlete and the program
34:00 – Final advice for athletes and parents navigating NIL
To learn more about working with Rebecca to build your athlete's following organically 👇🏼
EMAIL [email protected]
Follow:
Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccaamartinez
Gigi Artiles on Instagram @gigi.artiles
Join Susan for a monthly recruiting lesson January-June inside the Volleyball Recruiting School! Become a subscriber here. Or register for January's class all about highlight film here!
Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT
Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀
Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.
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.