In this episode of More Than an Armband, Anja sits down with Derek Waldeck, a professional soccer player who has worn the armband at every level of the game — from back-to-back national championships at Stanford University to captaining professional locker rooms across the United States. Derek opens up about what it was like to learn from elite leaders as a freshman at Stanford, and how watching those around him shaped the kind of captain he would eventually become. He gets honest about the shell shock of transitioning from a championship-driven college program to professional locker rooms filled with players pulling in completely different directions — and how adaptability became his most important leadership tool. He also dives into the very real challenge of leading through adversity, imposter syndrome, and the ever-changing landscape of college athletics in the era of the transfer portal. Whether you’re stepping into a captain role for the first time or looking to sharpen how you lead the people around you, Derek’s perspective is grounded, honest, and packed with practical takeaways.

Key Takeaways:

• Collective success leads to individual success, never the other way around
• Understanding people as humans first is the foundation of great leadership
• Adaptability is the most essential tool in a professional locker room
• Imposter syndrome is normal — no one is perfectly qualified before they start
• Your response to adversity speaks louder than anything else as a leader
• Leave behind the fear of failing — mistakes are how leaders grow