In Episode 120 of the Athletor Podcast, Nebraska Associate Head Coach Bryan Snyder joins us to break down how the Huskers are navigating NIL, the transfer portal, and athlete development on their own terms. From building a system that rewards growth to defining what “the right guy” really looks like, Bryan gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Nebraska is setting a new standard.

We talk about what makes a recruit stand out, the structure behind individual athlete plans, and why rest might be one of the toughest decisions in high-level wrestling. This one’s all about building sustainable success—from the ground up.

On episode 118 of the Athletor Podcast, comedian and former wrestler Greg Warren joins Mike Mal to break down the surprising connection between wrestling and stand-up comedy. Greg shares how the discipline and repetition of learning a wrestling move—like the cheap tilt—mirrors the process of building a joke from scratch. He also talks about how his new comedy special The Champ came together over two years, how he digs into old material to spark new ideas, and why he still trusts the early laughs—even if they’re just one person in the back of the room.

This one’s a deep dive into mindset, performance, and how wrestling continues to shape Greg’s approach to creativity, persistence, and storytelling.

Parker Keckeisen joins the Athletor Podcast fresh off the US Open to talk about what it’s like competing against the best in the world. He breaks down key moments from his match with Kyle Dake, explains why he prefers the pace of the US Open over the NCAA Tournament, and reflects on how loyalty and values shaped his decision to stay at UNI despite big NIL offers.

We also dive into the current state of NCAA wrestling, NIL's impact, and the challenges of staying grounded in a system that’s rapidly evolving. Parker shares his mindset as he transitions to the senior level, why this past season was uniquely difficult, and how he stays focused on growth over hype.

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In Episode 116 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with UNC Associate Head Coach Tony Ramos—a 3x U.S. Open Champion and 2x World Team Member—to talk about what growth looks like off the mat. From running the business side of a college wrestling program to securing major donors and building strong alumni networks, Tony breaks down how coaching today involves way more than just practice plans.

We also dig into the evolving NCAA landscape, including roster cap changes, revenue sharing, and the realities of the transfer portal. Plus, Tony shares how his priorities would shift if he were leading a program like Illinois—and why getting support from fans and alumni is just as important as wins on the mat.

On Episode 115 of the Athletor Podcast, we’re joined by Missouri assistant coach Kendrick Maple to talk about the state of college wrestling in the NIL and portal era. Maple opens up about the realities of re-recruiting your own athletes each year, why seeing Keegan O’Toole stay at Mizzou meant a lot to the team, and how the transfer landscape has become the wild west—with big money chasing unproven talent.

We also dive into how Mizzou develops athletes mentally and physically, the structure behind their success, and how character matters just as much as wins when it comes to recruiting. From NIL updates to roster cap challenges, weight management, and the future of coaching, Kendrick brings a grounded, thoughtful look at what it really takes to build a winning program today.

In Episode 114 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Adam Fellers—a wrestling coach and finance expert—to talk about the intersection of business and wrestling. Adam breaks down why so many coaches lack the business acumen needed to grow and sustain successful programs, and why waiting for outside help isn’t a winning strategy. We also analyze key financial metrics, like fundraising and staff investment, and how they correlate with on-the-mat success at the Division I level.

Beyond the numbers, Adam shares insights on how wrestling programs can adopt a more structured, KPI-driven approach to athlete development. If he had the power to change the NCAA system, what would he do? We get into that, plus some rapid-fire fun, including his top book recommendation, Mount Rushmore picks, and more. If you're interested in the future of wrestling from both a competitive and financial standpoint, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

In Episode 113 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Grant Leeth, head club wrestling coach at Tarleton State NCWA and founder of Heilung Shoes, to talk about what it takes to build a college wrestling program from scratch. When Grant arrived in Texas in late 2023, there was no wrestling room, no athletes, and no alumni base—just a vision. He walks us through the challenges of getting administrative buy-in, the role of fundraising, and the foundation working to bring college wrestling to Texas.

We also discuss the recruiting process, how Texas remains an under-recruited state, and Tarleton's approach to keeping talent in-state. Grant shares lessons learned in his first year, the struggles of delegation, and why winning an NCWA title isn’t the ultimate goal—building a sustainable Division I program is. If you're interested in the future of college wrestling, coaching, or sports entrepreneurship, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

In episode 112 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Joe Russell, Assistant Coach for USA Wrestling, to discuss the evolving landscape of wrestling, from grassroots to international success. Joe shares his thoughts on the importance of RTCs, how USA Wrestling is adapting to the impact of NIL, and what the future of the sport might look like. He also dives into coaching strategies, working with athletes, and the challenges of dealing with officials, along with some personal insights into his experiences traveling the world. Tune in for an in-depth conversation on the present and future of USA Wrestling.

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we chat with Vito Arujau, a 1x World Champion and 2x NCAA Champion, about his journey to success in wrestling. Vito shares his experience growing up in New York after immigrating from Belarus, his early struggles with motivation, and how his mindset shifted as he took ownership of his wrestling development. We also discuss his relationship with Yianni Diakomihalis, the challenges of weight management, and how his focus on sports psychology has shaped his career. Tune in for insights on Vito's growth, his approach to competition, and what the future holds for him in wrestling.