RU STRONG

RU STRONG

By Jeff DurrHealth & FitnessMental Health
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RU STRONG episodes

  • Gian Paul Gonzalez Former College Basketball Player who is "ALL IN"

    Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, where host Jeff Durr dives into

    conversations with extraordinary individuals who have embraced resilience,
    grit, and purpose in all aspects of life. Today’s guest, Gian Paul Gonzalez, a
    former college basketball player and the inspiring force behind the “All In”
    lifestyle, joins us to share his powerful journey.

    Gian Paul has built his life around principles that resonate deeply with

    athletes, coaches, and all who strive for excellence. Growing up, he learned
    discipline and the value of commitment alongside his father through sports,
    instilling a drive to push forward when no one else is watching. Gian Paul
    reminds us that being “All In” isn’t just a momentary choice—it’s an
    intentional, lifelong journey of discipline, gratitude, and faith. It's about
    holding yourself to a higher standard and being committed to the little things
    that shape who we are.

    His message is clear: to truly go “All In” for others, you must first be

    “All In” for yourself. This means embracing an attitude of continual growth,
    accountability, and unshakable faith—in Jesus, in mentors, and in the people
    who believe in us before we believe in ourselves. Whether it’s about staying
    focused in the present, holding your own "All In" poker chip, or
    being intentional with what fuels you, Gian Paul teaches that greatness comes
    from staying the course, one step at a time, and owning every opportunity.

    Join Jeff Durr and Gian Paul Gonzalez as they dive into what it means to

    live with purpose, hold yourself accountable, and bridge connections through
    the power of sports. Get ready to be inspired to "BE ALL IN."

    1 hr 1 min
  • Kayla Richardson Former College Basketball Player

    Welcome to the RU Strong podcast, hosted by Jeff Durr! In this episode, we’re excited to welcome former college basketball player Kayla Richardson. Kayla's journey is all about discipline, intentionality, and pushing the limits to excel both on and off the court. With a commitment to working on her weaknesses and a focus on time management, she embodies what it means to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

    Kayla shares insights on staying present, building a routine, and giving yourself a roadmap to success. She emphasizes the importance of listening to yourself, knowing your purpose, and holding high expectations—reminding us all not to forget the hard work we've put in or the incredible qualities we hold beyond the game. Kayla also opens up about the crucial role her mother has played as her biggest supporter, the strength that comes from open communication, and how even in the darkest times, there’s always a light.

    Join us as Kayla talks about breaking down what you want out of sports, replacing worry with hard work, and staying excited for what’s next after sports. For those navigating their own journeys, her story serves as a powerful reminder to set solid values, do well under pressure, and embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow.

    1 hr 27 min
  • Sandy Guerrero College and International Wrestler

    Welcome to the RU Strong podcast, where host Jeff Durr sits down with Sandy

    Guerrero, a trailblazer in women’s college wrestling. Sandy embodies grit,
    dedication, and a relentless drive that has positioned her as a rising star in
    the sport. With a "have to win" attitude and the discipline to reset
    after every setback, she’s not only a powerhouse on the mat but also a leader
    among her teammates.

    Sandy lives by her affirmations: I am strong, fast,

    tough, enough, and a good wrestler, a mantra that fuels her pursuit
    of becoming the best in the world. She's known for her accountability,
    resilience, and unbreakable commitment to excellence. Sandy is the kind of
    teammate who leads by example, helping others push past their limits, stay focused,
    and manage the pressures of college life.
    Her team isn’t just a group of athletes, they’re
    a family bonded by shared goals and mutual respect. Sandy makes time for her
    teammates, helping them with any challenges they face, fostering a close-knit
    community of trust and hard work. She approaches every practice with gratitude,
    reminding herself, I
    don’t have to go to practice; I get to go to practice. With Olympic dreams ahead, Sandy Guerrero’s
    journey is one of passion, resilience, and unwavering focus, and we’re thrilled
    to have her here to share her story and insights on the RU Strong podcast

    1 hr 12 min
  • Brian Betz Former College Soccer Player

    Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, hosted by Jeff Durr, where we dive deep into the journeys of former athletes who have transformed their competitive drive into life success. Today’s guest is Brian Betz, former college soccer player, who embodies the relentless pursuit of personal growth and achievement.

    Brian’s story is all about finding opportunities and making things happen. He’s a firm believer in learning from those who’ve walked the path before you – find someone who’s done what you want, and do what they do. With clear goals in mind, he’s always sold out for what he wanted, focusing on time management, building his confidence, and developing his skills to stay prepared.

    Throughout his journey, Brian has lived by the motto of focusing on what’s next and making the most of every moment, keeping things fun while also working hard. Whether it's showing people he wants to learn, or providing value to others, Brian has always been about the team culture—fighting for common goals while helping others along the way. His passion for a great support system and love for helping others has shaped who he is today.

    Tune in as Brian shares how he stays focused on his goals every day, lives life to achieve his dreams, and continues to provide value to those around him. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

    1 hr 15 min
  • Mike Devito Former College and Professional Football Player

    Welcome to the RU Strong podcast, hosted by Jeff Durr. In today’s

    episode, Jeff sits down with former college and professional football player
    Mike Devito. Mike’s story is one of grit, discipline, and willpower—doing the
    difficult things both on and off the field. He shares his journey of
    transitioning from football to life beyond the locker room, where he deeply
    misses the brotherhood but finds gratitude in his roles as a Christian, father,
    and husband.

    Mike opens up about handling anxiety, stress, and worries, reminding us that

    it’s okay to seek help—you're not alone in dealing with life’s challenges. He
    talks about competing against yourself and seizing opportunities, lessons
    football taught him that prepared him for life. Mike encourages us to have more
    fun, take more chances, and enjoy the grind, reflecting on how he wishes he had
    let loose more along the way.

    Join us for an inspiring conversation about
    resilience, faith, and the importance of embracing every moment.

    1 hr 17 min
  • Dan Garrett Head Football Coach

    Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, where host Jeff Durr delves into the

    journey of athletes who embody resilience, leadership, and strength both on and
    off the field. Today’s guest is someone who knows what it means to fight for
    success, not just in sports but in life, former college football player and current
    college football coach Dan Garrett.

    Dan has built his teams around core values that go beyond the game:

    Family, Integrity, Gratitude, Hard Work, and Toughness. In his leadership, he
    emphasizes the importance of being empathetic, having compassion, and always
    listening to those around you. His servant leadership style puts the team
    before self, fostering trust and unity.

    Driven and goal-oriented, Dan inspires his players to push beyond their

    comfort zones, reminding them that success requires grit, sacrifice, and
    resilience. "Your why dictates what you do and how you do it," he
    often says, urging his athletes not to give up when things get hard but to let
    their character guide their destiny.

    In today’s episode, we explore what it takes to lead with discipline, why

    toughness matters in the face of adversity, and how the values of fight and
    family lay the foundation for long-term success. Get ready to be inspired by
    the journey of Coach Dan Garrett, a true example of strength through sacrifice
    and a commitment to growth.

    Stay tuned—this is one you won’t want to miss!

    1 hr 4 min
  • Kat Palaia Former College Lacrosse Player

    Welcome to another inspiring episode of the RU Strong Podcast with

    your host, Jeff Durr. Today, we’re joined by Kat Palaia, former college women’s
    lacrosse player, who lives by a set of core values that have shaped her both on
    and off the field. For Kat, it’s all about showing up—because the way you show
    up is what you get back. Her journey is defined by service to others,
    leadership, and making a lasting impact on those around her.

    Kat’s story isn’t without its challenges. Pain gave her perspective, but she

    found strength in the people who stood in her corner. She believes in being her
    own hero, pulling herself out of tough times, and never leaving with regret.
    Kat teaches us that things happen for you, not to you, and to
    always prepare to be uncomfortable.

    Time management, discipline, and gratitude are at the heart of how Kat

    navigates life. She knows that life is hard, but your attitude determines your
    outcome. From valuing her time to always being there for others, Kat’s message
    is clear: don’t give up, don’t let people down, and always find gratitude in
    all you do. For her, mental strength leads to physical strength, and she
    practices the discipline of doing what needs to be done, even when it’s tough.

    Kat is approachable, joyful, and always smiling, bringing positivity to

    everyone she meets. She reminds us to enjoy the little things, ask ourselves
    how we show up when no one is looking, and ultimately—be our own hero.

    Tune in as we dive into Kat’s journey of

    resilience, leadership, and how she continues to be a beacon of strength to
    those around her

    1 hr 22 min
  • Lancelot Theobald Jr. Former College and Professional Football Player

    Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, hosted by Jeff Durr, where we explore the

    journeys of athletes who have not only achieved greatness on the field but have
    also mastered the art of reinvention in life. We are honored to have former
    college and professional football player Lancelot Theobald Jr. as our guest.

    Lancelot lives by his 5 keys to reinvention: 1) Be comfortable in your own

    skin, 2) Surround yourself with people who have done what you want to do, 3)
    Educate yourself fully, 4) Be willing to put in the work, and 5) Believe that
    you can achieve. With a mindset that there's nothing he can't do, Lancelot
    embodies the belief that anything you can think of, you can achieve. He trains
    harder than the person next to him, stays focused, and is always prepared for
    pressure.

    Lancelot views life as a gift from God, believing that God has orchestrated

    his journey. He’s been protected by the universe from a plane crash and a
    near-drowning at the beach, and his father's wisdom—that he had to be twice as
    good to play college football—has fueled his drive to be great. He knows that
    you have to want greatness to weather the storms, and he embraces the process
    of learning and growing as part of the journey.

    Supported by a great wife and driven by the belief that you can do great

    things, Lancelot sets goals and is committed to being great at whatever he
    does. Join us as we dive into his story of resilience, faith, and relentless
    pursuit of excellence on the RU Strong Podcast.

    1 hr 24 min
  • Tom Caravela Former College Wrestler

    Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, hosted by Jeff Durr, where we bring you the stories and insights of athletes who embody perseverance, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Today, we’re joined by former college wrestler and proud Jersey Boy, Tom Caravela.

    Tom lives by the mantra that you only get one shot—there are no do-overs. He encourages everyone to look in the mirror, assess who you hang out with, and max out in all you do. With high expectations set for himself, Tom emphasizes focusing on the process, not just the outcome, to avoid regret and wasted time. He’s all about thinking ahead, prioritizing what matters, and making the right choices.

    In this episode, Tom will talk about the importance of setting clear goals, auditing how you spend your time, and being consistent—because winners are consistent. He believes life is a series of singles and doubles, where developing the right career habits and committing to personal development is key. For Tom, mindset is everything, and he knows that taking the long way is often the real shortcut to success. He’s a firm believer in seeking progress over perfection and putting in the effort to truly find success, not just showing up.

    With an old-school mentality of grit and doing the work, Tom also reminds us to be good to ourselves along the way. Join us for a powerful conversation about hard work, determination, and the mindset required to be RU Strong.

    58 min
  • Tanner Maddocks College Football Player

    Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, hosted by Jeff Durr, where we explore the stories of athletes who embody dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Today, we’re excited to have College Football quarterback Tanner Maddocks as our guest.

    Tanner grew up on a farm, where everything was a competition, fueling his fear of being average and driving his desire to stand out. He’s a firm believer in always doing your best and thrives under pressure. A great teammate with a strong faith, Tanner knows that failing to prepare is preparing to fail. His "we over me" mentality and incredible work ethic set him apart, and he never lets his emotions get too high or too low.

    Tanner believes that confidence comes with practice and preparation, and he lives and breathes the game. Obsessed with becoming the best version of himself, he holds his expectations high and ensures that no one will outwork him. Sacrificing time for what matters most, Tanner's top priorities are his faith, his wife, football, and business. His mantra? Never quit, never give up.

    Join us as we dive into Tanner Maddocks’ journey, his unwavering commitment to excellence, and the mindset that makes him a standout leader on and off the field. Get ready to be inspired by the passion and dedication of a true competitor, right here on the RU Strong Podcast.

    1 hr 5 min

About RU STRONG

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to RU Strong, hosted by Jeff Durr! This podcast is a platform for current and former college athletes to share their stories of resilience, perseverance, and strength. Join us as we delve into…