What happens when you're willing to bet on yourself?

This week on the RU Strong Podcast, I'm joined by former collegiate volleyball standout Kennedy Muff, and her journey is one every athlete, coach, parent, and leader needs to hear.

Kennedy went from being a four-time conference champion and All-American setter at Flagler College to taking one of the biggest risks of her career,walking on at the University of Florida. No guarantees. No promises. Just belief in herself. That leap of faith earned her a scholarship and a starting role on one of the nation's premier volleyball programs.

But this episode goes far beyond volleyball.

We dive into the mental and physical challenges of recovering from devastating injuries, the discipline it takes to rehab while everyone else is living life, and the emotional reality of having your athletic identity taken away sooner than expected. Kennedy shares what it's really like to battle through ACL, MCL, and meniscus injuries, the sacrifices required to return to competition, and the transition every athlete eventually faces when the game comes to an end.

We also discuss:

🏐 Why the setter is the "quarterback" of a volleyball team.

🏐 The recruiting process and how she found the right college fit.

🏐 Leadership, communication, and building trust with teammates.

🏐 Why investing in yourself is never a sacrifice.

🏐 How the lessons learned through athletics continue to shape success in business and life.

Kennedy's story is one of courage, resilience, humility, and relentless perseverance. If you've ever faced adversity, questioned your next step, or wondered who you are beyond your sport, this conversation will leave you inspired.

What does it really take to build a championship culture in today's ever-changing world of college football?

This week on the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with Joe Adam, the all-time winningest head football coach in the history of Saint Anselm College. Coach Adam's journey is one of grit, perseverance, and leadership, from fighting for an opportunity as an overlooked player, to helping win two NCAA Division II National Championships at Grand Valley State, to learning under legendary coach Brian Kelly, and ultimately building a winning culture of his own.

In this powerful conversation, Joe shares:

• How being overlooked fueled his success.

• The lessons he learned from championship teams.

• The leadership principles that create winning cultures.

• His perspective on NIL, the transfer portal, and the future of college football.

• Why serving others and developing young people has become his life's mission.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, business leader, parent, or simply someone chasing excellence, this episode is packed with timeless lessons on resilience, leadership, and staying true to your values.

This isn't just a football conversation, it's a masterclass on building people, building teams, and building a legacy.

Every once in a while, I have a guest who completely changes the way I think about a topic. Sabrina Oostburg did exactly that.

When most people hear "NIL," they think about big contracts, endorsements, and college athletes making money. Sabrina sees something much bigger. She sees opportunities, personal branding, and preparing athletes for success long after their playing days are over.

Sabrina's story is incredible. She started as a Division I track and field athlete, earned her degree in Sports Administration from Belmont University, built a social media following of more than 150,000 people, founded NIL Roadmap, and has become one of the brightest young voices helping student athletes navigate the ever-changing world of NIL.

What I loved most about our conversation wasn't just her knowledge, it was her passion. She genuinely wants to help athletes avoid the mistakes she had to figure out on her own. We talked about building a personal brand, protecting your reputation, creating opportunities, preparing for life after sports, and why your name may be the most valuable asset you'll ever own.

Whether you're a student-athlete, coach, parent, athletic administrator, or just someone who wants to understand where college athletics is headed, this episode is full of practical advice and fresh perspectives.

I really enjoyed this conversation, and I think you will too.

If you enjoy the conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from Sabrina's story.

#RUStrong #NIL #StudentAthletes #PersonalBrand #Leadership #CollegeAthletics #SportsBusiness #AthleteDevelopment #Podcast

You know, occasionally, you meet someone whose story reminds you that success isn't built by taking the easy road, it's built by choosing challenges that most people would run from.

Today's guest is one of those people.

Stephen Bienko has spent his entire life pushing himself beyond what most people think is possible. As a young athlete, he earned the opportunity to attend the United States Air Force Academy, where he competed in Division I football, track and field, and even boxing, all while balancing one of the toughest academic and military environments in the country. Later, he transferred to Villanova, where he continued competing as a Division I athlete.

But athletics were just the beginning.

Stephen went on to build the Institute of Athletic Performance, where he's helped develop NFL, MLB, NBA, Olympic-level, and hundreds of collegiate athletes. Today, as the co-founder of 42U, he's helping student-athletes navigate the ever-changing world of NIL, personal branding, career development, and life beyond sports.

What I enjoyed most about this conversation wasn't just his accomplishments, it was his honesty.

We talk about what it feels like to be overwhelmed, leaving home at 18, struggling mentally at the Air Force Academy, making one of the toughest decisions of his life, and the lessons that shaped the man he is today. We also dive into leadership, fatherhood, resilience, and why he believes today's athletes have opportunities that previous generations never imagined.

So, sit back, enjoy the conversation, and as always

Be encouraged. Be inspired. And most importantly, Be RU Strong.

Please help me welcome my guest, Stephen Bienko.

Today's guest is someone I've been looking forward to talking with.

Walter Kirkland has lived an incredible life. He came to Rutgers on a full scholarship and went on to become a four-time All-American, an NCAA National Champion, and a member of the Rutgers Athletic Hall of Fame. But what really impressed me is that he didn't stop competing when his track career ended.

He took that same work ethic, discipline, and competitive drive into the business world, where he built an outstanding career with companies like Xerox, Honeywell, Samsung, and GE Healthcare. Everywhere he went, he found success because he approached business the same way he approached competition with preparation, consistency, and an attitude that said, I'm going to outwork everyone else.

But here's what I appreciate most about Walter,

He believes success isn't just about what you accomplish, it's about what you give back.

Today he's mentoring hundreds of young people, helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and hope for their future. And now, he's taken on one of the biggest challenges of his life by stepping into the political arena and running for Congress.

In this conversation, we talk about his journey from Rutgers to corporate America, why athletes have such an advantage in business, the importance of mentorship, the lessons he's learned through success and adversity, and what it really takes to lead when the stakes are high.

Whether you're an athlete, a coach, a business professional, or someone chasing a big dream, I think you're going to take something away from Walter's story.

So let's get after it.

Here's my conversation with Walter Kirkland.

I got to sit down with someone I've been looking forward to talking with for a long time.

When people think about the greatest coaches in college wrestling, today's guest is always part of that conversation. But what makes him so impressive isn't just the championships he's won or the All-Americans he's coached, it's the impact he's had on thousands of athletes over the course of his career.

As a wrestler, he was a National Champion at North Carolina, a four-time All-American, and one of the best to ever wear a Tar Heel singlet.

Then he took over at Cornell and completely transformed that program into a national powerhouse. Along the way, he won 20 conference championships, coached dozens of All-Americans and NCAA finalists, developed multiple National Champions, and built a culture that became the standard for college wrestling.

After helping rebuild Stanford Wrestling, he returned home to North Carolina, where he's once again building something special.

But here's what I really wanted to talk to him about...

How do you stay motivated after you've already accomplished so much?

How do you build a championship culture year after year?

How do you lead young people through adversity, through change, and now through an era of NIL and the transfer portal?

Those are the conversations that matter.

Whether you're a coach, an athlete, a business leader, or someone who's simply trying to become the best version of yourself, I think you're going to take something away from this episode.

So sit back, enjoy the conversation, and help me welcome one of the most respected coaches in the history of college wrestling.

Coach Rob Koll.

I'm really excited about today's guest because I finally got to complete the Caravela family trifecta. I've had the privilege of interviewing both her father, Tom, and her brother, Dean, and after those conversations, they both told me the same thing: "You've got to have Ava on the show."

And they were right.

Ava's story is about so much more than gymnastics. It's about sacrifice, resilience, and having the courage to keep moving forward when life throws unexpected challenges your way. She dedicated her childhood to one of the toughest sports in the world, earned the opportunity to compete at the University of Pennsylvania, battled through serious injuries, and then successfully transitioned into the demanding world of investment banking in New York City.

In today's conversation, we'll talk about the discipline it takes to pursue excellence, how she handled adversity throughout her athletic career, what she learned as an Ivy League student-athlete, and how those same lessons continue to drive her success in business today. If you're an athlete, a coach, a parent, or someone striving to be your best, I think you'll take something away from Ava's journey.

Please join me in welcoming gymnast, Ivy League graduate, investment banker, and an outstanding young professional, Ava Caravela.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we share the stories of athletes who have overcome challenges, achieved greatness, and are now making an impact far beyond the game.

Today's guest is someone who truly defines what it means to live with relentless pursuit.

Gary Reasons grew up in Texas and earned a football scholarship to Northwestern State University, where he became a three-time First Team Division I-AA All-American and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Northwestern State Hall of Fame.

He was selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL Draft and went on to become a two-time Super Bowl Champion, an NFL All-Rookie Team selection, and one of the Top 100 Players in New York Giants history. He played alongside legends like Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson during one of the greatest eras in NFL history.

After football, Gary built an incredible second career with more than 30 years as a broadcaster for FOX, ESPN, and ABC Sports, while also spending over 20 years in business leadership and technology sales. Today, he continues to inspire leaders and teams through his platform, Reasons to Believe, where he teaches the principles of leadership, culture, preparation, accountability, and relentless effort.

In this episode, Gary shares what it was like growing up as the first athlete from his hometown to earn a Division I football scholarship, the lessons he learned from Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick, what made those New York Giants championship teams so special, and why preparation and effort remain the foundation of success in sports, business, and life.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, business leader, or simply someone striving to become the best version of yourself, this conversation is filled with timeless lessons you won't want to miss.

Please help me welcome two-time Super Bowl Champion, College Football Hall of Famer, leadership expert, and my friend, Gary Reasons.

Today's guest is someone whose journey proves that being overlooked doesn't determine your future.

Scott Schebler went from receiving very little recruiting attention out of high school in Iowa to playing one season of junior college baseball before being selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 26th round of the MLB Draft. Most people would have seen the odds against him. Scott saw an opportunity.

Over the next 13 years, he built an incredible professional career, spending seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, and Colorado Rockies. Along the way, he earned multiple Minor League All-Star selections, was named Minor League Player of the Year, and developed into one of the game's most respected competitors.

But this episode isn't just about baseball. It's about perseverance, resilience, being overlooked, trusting the right mentors, handling adversity, and what it really takes to turn potential into performance. Today, Scott is helping athletes navigate the transition into their next careers, giving back by sharing the lessons he learned throughout his own journey.

If you're an athlete, coach, parent, or anyone chasing a dream that others may not see yet, this conversation is for you.

Please join me in welcoming former Major League Baseball player, Scott Schebler, to the RU Strong Podcast.

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast.

Today, I’m excited to bring you the story of an athlete whose journey embodies everything this show stands for, resilience, perseverance, discipline, and the courage to pursue a dream when others doubt it can be done.

My guest is Wendy Boglioli, an Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Hall of Famer, former American record holder, and one of the most accomplished swimmers in American history. From her beginnings in a small town of Wisconsin to competing on the world’s biggest stage, Wendy’s path to Olympic success was anything but ordinary.

A standout swimmer at Monmouth University, Wendy went on to capture Olympic Gold in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay and Olympic Bronze in the 100-meter butterfly at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. She is also a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

In this episode, Wendy shares the powerful influence of her parents, the lessons she learned through years of training and competition, the sacrifices required to chase an Olympic dream, and the mindset that helped her overcome obstacles both in and out of the pool. We also discuss the historic 1976 Olympics, the challenges faced by Team USA, and how one conversation with a coach changed the trajectory of her life forever.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, business professional, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, Wendy’s story will remind you of the impact that belief, hard work, and the right people can have on your journey.

Please help me welcome Olympic Gold Medalist, Hall of Famer, motivational speaker, and healthy aging advocate, Wendy Boglioli, to the RU Strong Podcast.