RU STRONG

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.

Welcome to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. Today, I have a guest whose story is a powerful example of what can happen when preparation meets opportunity.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Jack Betts developed a passion for football at an early age. While many athletes dream of playing Division I football, Jack chose a different path, traveling nearly 1,800 miles from home to attend Amherst College, one of the most academically prestigious institutions in the country. There, he became a two-way football player, competing as both a wide receiver and defensive back while earning degrees in English and Native American Studies.

Like many athletes, Jack faced adversity throughout his journey. Injuries challenged his playing career, COVID disrupted his college experience, and he was forced to navigate uncertainty at a time when many athletes were simply trying to survive. But instead of viewing those challenges as setbacks, Jack used them as springboards.

When NIL launched in 2021, Jack saw an opportunity that most Division III athletes believed didn't exist. Through relentless networking, self-advocacy, creativity, and professionalism, he built relationships with more than 40 brands and became one of the most successful NIL pioneers in Division III athletics. His success wasn't built on fame, follower counts, or playing at a Power Four school, it was built on relationships, consistency, and the willingness to bet on himself.

His passion for helping other athletes led him to found the Make Your Own Legacy Academy, where he helped athletes from Division II, Division III, NAIA, and JUCO programs learn how to build their personal brands and maximize their NIL opportunities.

Today, Jack has come full circle. After earning his master’s degree in Sport Management from SMU, he now serves as the NIL Partnership Solutions Coordinator for SMU Athletics, helping hundreds of student-athletes navigate one of the most rapidly changing landscapes in college sports.

In this episode, we'll discuss leadership, adversity, athlete identity, the realities of NIL, building a personal brand, and why some of life's greatest opportunities often come disguised as challenges.

If you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone navigating change in your own life, I think you'll find a lot of value in Jack's journey.

Please join me in welcoming Jack Betts to the RU Strong Podcast.

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. I'm your host, Jeff Durr, and today I’m excited to be joined by former Don Bosco Prep standout, college quarterback, NFL veteran, media personality, coach, and entrepreneur, Matt Simms.

Growing up in Northern New Jersey as the son of New York Giants legend and Super Bowl champion Phil Simms, Matt was surrounded by football from an early age. But as you'll hear in this conversation, his journey was never about following someone else's path, it was about creating his own.

A star quarterback at Don Bosco Prep, Matt led one of the nation's premier high school football programs before continuing his football journey through Louisville, El Camino College, and Tennessee. His hard work and perseverance eventually earned him opportunities in the NFL with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Atlanta Falcons.

In this episode, Matt shares the realities of growing up in a football family, the lessons learned from legendary coaches and mentors, the challenges he faced during his college career, and how adversity became one of his greatest teachers. He opens up about accountability, resilience, personal growth, and the importance of learning from mistakes rather than being defined by them.

We also discuss the changing landscape of youth sports, recruiting, quarterback development, leadership, confidence, and why some of the most important lessons athletes learn happen long after the final whistle.

Today, Matt is the founder of Simms Complete, where he helps develop the next generation of quarterbacks by teaching not only the physical side of the game, but also the mental, emotional, and leadership skills required for success both on and off the field.

This is a powerful conversation about identity, perseverance, growth, and finding purpose through life's challenges.

Please welcome former NFL quarterback, coach, mentor, and one of New Jersey's most respected football minds, Matt Simms, to the RU Strong Podcast.

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today I’m excited to welcome former Rutgers University softball player, athlete leader, and rising star in collegiate athletic development, Kayla Bock.

Kayla’s story is all about leadership, resilience, identity, and finding purpose beyond the game.

Growing up in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Kayla was a two-sport standout athlete who excelled in both softball and swimming. She was the 2020 Female Athlete of the Year, a varsity captain in both sports, a two-time All-Area First Team selection, and an All-State honorable mention swimmer before taking her talents to Rutgers University to compete in Big Ten softball.

But what makes Kayla’s journey so powerful is that her impact extended far beyond the field.

While balancing the demands of Division I athletics during the challenges of the COVID era, Kayla became heavily involved in student-athlete leadership and mental health advocacy. She served as President of Rutgers’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Vice President of Mental Health and Wellness, helped launch Rutgers Athletics’ first-ever “Life After Sports” panel, created a freshman student-athlete mentorship program, and organized mental health and suicide prevention initiatives for athletes.

After graduation, Kayla continued her mission of helping athletes succeed beyond sports by working for the Big Ten Conference in athletic development and community engagement before serving as Chief Operating Officer for Scottfield Project, helping lead youth athletic redevelopment initiatives.

Today, at just 24 years old, Kayla is the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success at La Salle University, where she focuses on athlete development, leadership, career readiness, mental wellness, and helping nearly 600 student-athletes prepare for life after the game.

In this episode, Kayla shares her journey through leadership, recruiting, COVID, athletic identity struggles, mental health challenges, career development, and what it truly means to help athletes transition successfully beyond sports.

This is an inspiring conversation about perseverance, growth, leadership, and using your platform to positively impact others.

Former University of Michigan football player and former NFL athlete Joel Honigford joins me on this episode of the RU Strong Podcast for a powerful conversation about leadership, mental toughness, adversity, discipline, and the mindset required to compete at the highest levels of college football and the NFL.

Joel shares his incredible journey from a small-town Ohio athlete growing up in Amish country to becoming a five-time letter winner at Michigan, earning a degree in mechanical engineering, competing in the College Football Playoff, and eventually playing in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and other organizations.

We dive deep into:

🏈 The recruiting process and choosing Michigan over Ohio State

🏈 The pressure and mental challenges of competing at an elite level

🏈 Transitioning from offensive lineman to tight end under Coach Jim Harbaugh

🏈 How leadership and mindset transformed Michigan football

🏈 The reality of the NFL and the mental side of professional sports

🏈 Building resilience, accountability, and confidence through adversity

🏈 Why mental strength is just as important as physical strength

Joel also discusses how his experiences shaped his mission today as a mental strength and conditioning coach, helping athletes, teams, and business professionals improve performance under pressure and develop championship-level mindsets.

This episode is packed with lessons on perseverance, adaptability, leadership, and personal growth that apply far beyond sports.

Today’s guest is Dave Emeott, Co-Athletic Director and legendary Head Track & Field Coach at East Kentwood High School in Michigan. Since taking over the program in 1998, Dave has built one of the most dominant high school track programs in America, winning 8 State Championships, a National Championship, and developing countless collegiate athletes and leaders along the way.

But this episode is about far more than championships and trophies.

This is a story about transformation.

Dave openly shares the difficult realities of his childhood, growing up in poverty, dealing with abuse and alcoholism inside his home, spending time in jail at 17 years old, and facing moments that could have completely changed the direction of his life forever.

Instead of allowing his pain to define him, Dave used it to fuel a mission bigger than himself:

to save kids, build leaders, and become the type of mentor he desperately needed when he was younger.

We dive deep into:

🏆 Building a championship culture

💥 Why greatness often comes from adversity

🧠 The mental side of coaching and leadership

🙏 The power of vulnerability and honesty

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family, redemption, and second chances

📖 His powerful new book, Beyond the Finish Line: The Art of Transformational Coaching

🔥 What true winning really means in life

Dave’s perspective on coaching, leadership, resilience, and personal growth is one every athlete, coach, parent, educator, and leader needs to hear.

This is not just a conversation about sports.

It’s a conversation about life.