The Bundesliga, Belonging & Building Leaders with Michelle Voiland

In this episode, Anja sits down with Michelle Voiland — University of Portland goalkeeper, Bundesliga veteran, and head women's soccer coach at Whitman College — for a conversation that goes way deeper than the X's and O's. Michelle shares what it was like playing four years at the University of Portland under the legendary Clive Charles, graduating as the program's all-time leader in saves, and then packing her bags for Germany with almost no plan and no German. What followed was eight seasons in the Bundesliga, three seasons coaching the same club, and a masterclass in learning to perform under pressure far from home. From there, Michelle spent 11 seasons at Division I Oregon State before landing her the head coaching role at Whitman College in 2020 — where she's been building not just a soccer program, but a culture rooted in authentic leadership and genuine human connection. We get into the 10-minute rule, why being captain doesn't mean being "team police", the difference between a good leader and a transformational one, and why the most important conversation you'll ever have is the one you're having with yourself. If you work with athletes, lead a team, or are stepping into a leadership role for the first time, this episode is for you!