RU STRONG

🏈 The RU Strong Podcast Episode with BJ Daniels is NOW LIVE! 🎙️🔥

From growing up in a dorm room on Florida State’s campus dreaming of one day playing college football to becoming a four-year starting quarterback at University of South Florida to competing in three Super Bowls and winning a championship in the NFL. BJ Daniels’ journey is filled with resilience, pressure, adversity, leadership, and purpose.

In this powerful episode, BJ takes us deep inside the mental and emotional side of being an elite athlete. He shares what it was like stepping into his very first college start as an 18-year-old freshman in front of 90,000 fans at Florida State, the pressure of leading a Division I football program, and the mindset required to compete at the highest levels of football.

BJ also opens up about:

🏈 The recruiting process and overcoming doubt as an undersized quarterback

🏈 The discipline and preparation required to lead a college football team

🏈 The emotional highs and lows of being a starting quarterback under constant scrutiny

🏈 The transition from college football to the NFL

🏈 Dealing with criticism, expectations, injuries, and setbacks

🏈 The mental toughness required to survive and thrive in professional sports

🏈 Leadership lessons learned from football that apply directly to life

🏈 Why mental health awareness and athlete identity matter so much after sports

We also dive into the inspiration behind his book, Beyond the Redzone, and his mission to help athletes and others understand that there is purpose, growth, and life beyond the game.

This conversation is raw, honest, inspiring, and packed with lessons for athletes, coaches, parents, leaders, and anyone facing adversity in life.

🎙️ New Episode of the RU Strong Podcast!

I had an awesome conversation with Steph Grady, former television news anchor, internationally competitive figure skater, founder of The NIL School, and CEO of Influential Athlete, one of the leading NIL education companies focused on helping female athletes build confidence, personal brands, and opportunities beyond sports.

Steph shared her incredible journey from elite athletics to a 17-year broadcasting career and ultimately taking a leap of faith into entrepreneurship and the rapidly changing NIL world. I really enjoyed hearing her perspective on confidence, mindset, communication, leadership, and helping young athletes discover their value both on and off the field.

In this episode, we discuss:

🏒 Transitioning from elite athletics into life after sports

📺 Leaving a successful television career to pursue entrepreneurship

💡 The evolving NIL landscape and athlete branding

🧠 Confidence, mindset, and overcoming self-doubt

🎯 The Four Levels of Skill Development

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The important role parents play in NIL opportunities

🔥 Why athletes struggle with putting themselves out there

💼 Helping athletes discover their value beyond sports

🚀 Developing proactive confidence through repetition and action

🏆 Building communication, leadership, and personal branding skills

Steph brings incredible energy, authenticity, and leadership to this conversation. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for athletes, parents, coaches, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating growth and transition in life.

#RUStrong #Podcast #NIL #StudentAthletes #FemaleAthletes #AthleteDevelopment #Leadership #Mindset #PersonalBranding #Entrepreneurship #MentalStrength #Confidence #SportsBusiness #CollegeAthletes #AthleteMindset #JeffDurr #InfluentialAthlete #TheNILSchool #GrowthMindset #SportsLeadership

🎙️ I’m excited to share another powerful episode of the RU Strong Podcast featuring former college indoor and beach volleyball player, sports psychology professional, therapist, and founder of the Hanging Up The Jersey Podcast, Caitlin Broadwell.

Caitlin’s story is one that so many athletes will connect with. From being a highly recruited volleyball player to battling Graves’ Disease at just 14 years old, she opens up about the emotional and psychological challenges that came with having the game she loved almost taken away from her.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

🏐 The pressure and stress of the college recruiting process

🏐 Transitioning from Division II volleyball to LSU beach volleyball

🏐 The emotional toll of injuries, illness, and identity struggles

🏐 The loneliness many athletes feel after their playing days end

🏐 Why athlete identity can become difficult to separate from real life

🏐 The mental side of competing at elite collegiate levels

🏐 How Caitlin now helps athletes navigate life after sports through therapy, speaking, podcasts, and her workbook Hanging Up The Jersey

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation was hearing Caitlin talk about the transition out of athletics and how difficult it can be when the structure, teammates, support systems, and identity tied to sports suddenly disappear.

This episode is filled with valuable lessons for athletes, parents, coaches, and anyone navigating adversity, pressure, mental health, and life after the game.

#RUStrong #MentalHealth #StudentAthletes #Volleyball #BeachVolleyball #SportsPsychology #AthleteTransition #Leadership #Mindset #CollegeAthletes #FormerAthletes #MentalPerformance #Podcast

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a true competitor, leader, and mindset expert Raymont Harris.

From starring at Ohio State Buckeyes football, where he was an All-Big Ten selection, Team MVP, and one of the program’s all-time leading rushers, to competing in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots, Raymont’s journey is built on resilience, perseverance, and relentless growth.

But his story goes far beyond football.

After his playing career, Raymont returned to Ohio State as the Director of Player Development for over 14 years, helping shape the lives of countless student-athletes. Today, he’s the Founder & CEO of Elite Mindset and Performance, a professional speaker, and the author of Control the Controllables, impacting athletes, teams, and organizations across the country.

In this powerful conversation, Raymont shares:

• The mindset shift that changed his career and life

• What it really takes to succeed at the highest level

• The truth about transitioning out of the game

• Why resilience and self-awareness are the ultimate competitive advantages

• How today’s athletes can navigate pressure, NIL, and life after sports

This episode is packed with lessons for athletes, coaches, and anyone striving to become the best version of themselves.

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast – Featuring Aanya Trivedi

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with an incredibly inspiring young leader, Aanya Trivedi and trust me, this is one you don’t want to miss.

At just 17 years old, Aanya is already redefining what it means to be driven, resilient, and purpose-driven. A junior at a top academic magnet school, a competitive track athlete with over 100 medals, an executive board member of a nonprofit focused on financial literacy, and the author of the powerful book Finding Her Stride, Aanya is living proof that age is just a number when it comes to impact.

But what makes this conversation truly special isn’t just her résumé, it’s her mindset.

Aanya opens up about:

• Battling adversity and performance setbacks in her athletic journey

• The mental toughness required to push through when results aren’t showing

• The power of journaling, reflection, and reconnecting with your “why”

• The influence of family, mentorship, and unwavering support

• Turning pain into purpose—from personal loss to serving others

• And how she’s already thinking about making an impact in the medical field

Her story is raw, emotional, and incredibly real, highlighting that true strength isn’t about always winning, it’s about continuing to show up, even when it’s hard.

This episode is a must-listen for:

• Student-athletes

• Parents

• Coaches

• And anyone navigating pressure, adversity, and growth

This is one of those episodes that truly defines what RU Strong is all about resilience, discipline, and doing things the right way when no one is watching.

Today’s guest, Dean Caravela, is a name that represents excellence, both on and off the mat.

A standout wrestler out of Caldwell High School, Dean was a four-year varsity athlete, two-time New Jersey state medalist, and an All-State performer, all while being a member of the National Honor Society.

But his journey didn’t stop there.

Dean took his talents to the prestigious United States Naval Academy, where he competed at the Division I level, balancing elite athletics, rigorous academics, and military training at one of the most demanding institutions in the country.

After graduating, he went on to serve our country as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, taking on high-level leadership responsibilities overseas in Okinawa, Japan.

Now transitioning into the next chapter of his life, back home, building a career with his family, Dean brings with him lessons in accountability, sacrifice, mental toughness, and leadership that only a journey like his can provide.

In this episode, we cover:

• Turning adversity into a breakthrough moment

• The discipline required to compete at the highest level

• Life at the Naval Academy and serving in the Marines

• Leadership, accountability, and brotherhood

• Transitioning from military life to the next chapter

This is a powerful conversation about what it really means to stay committed, embrace the grind, and come full circle.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most impactful voices in college athletics today, Tobruk “TB” Blaine.

From her early days as a multi-sport athlete and collegiate cheerleader to becoming a championship-winning coach and now the Director of Player Development at the University of Arizona, TB has built her career on resilience, grit, and an unwavering commitment to helping athletes succeed beyond the game.

With advanced degrees in health education and educational leadership, and leadership roles at Boise State and San Jose State, she has been at the forefront of redefining what athlete development truly means. She is also the founder of The Athlete Career Lab (TACL), a platform dedicated to preparing athletes for life after sports.

In this powerful conversation, TB dives into:

• Developing a mindset fueled by adversity and a relentless drive to prove yourself

• Navigating confidence, doubt, and imposter syndrome in high-performance environments

• Building the groundbreaking “Beyond Football” program from the ground up

• Why so many athletes struggle with identity and direction after their playing days

• The importance of explore, inspire, and cultivate in creating success beyond the field

Her mission is simple but powerful: to ensure every athlete leaves their experience saying, “I’m so glad I did,” instead of “I wish I would have.”

This is a must-listen episode for athletes, coaches, and anyone looking to build a winning mindset for life after the game.

🔥 Just Dropped: RU Strong Podcast with Larry Long Jr. 🔥

Get ready for one of the most electrifying, high-energy episodes we’ve ever had on the RU Strong Podcast.

This week, I sit down with Larry Long Jr. a former University of Maryland baseball standout turned “Chief Energy Officer” who is now impacting lives across the globe through speaking, leadership, and service.

From the very first minute, Larry brings a level of energy and authenticity that you don’t just hear, you feel it.

🎙️ In this episode, we dive into:

• His journey from Division I athlete to global speaker

• The mindset shift from self-doubt to self-belief

• The power of daily discipline vs. motivation

• Why “We > Me” is the ultimate game-changer

• How setbacks, failure, and adversity shaped his success

Larry’s story is built on grit, perspective, and relentless positivity, from getting told he “talked too much” as a kid, to now getting paid to speak on stages around the world.

💥 One of the biggest takeaways:

“Control what you can control, your attitude, your effort, and how you treat people.”

This is more than a conversation,

It’s a jolt of energy, leadership, and perspective that every athlete, coach, and professional needs to hear.

🎧 This is a MUST LISTEN episode.

This is a MUST LISTEN episode.

I had the opportunity to sit down with former USC & Pitt quarterback,Max Browne a two-time team captain, former #1 QB recruit in the country,ESPN college football analyst, and host of The Max Browne Show.

And I’ll tell you, this one goes way deeper than football.

Max opens up about:
🔥 The pressure of being the top recruit in the nation
🧠 The mental grind of competing at the highest level
💥 What it really felt like getting benched and how he handled it
🎯 Leading TWO programs as a voted team captain
🔄 The identity shift every athlete faces when the game ends

One of the most powerful parts of this episode is how Max shares theturning point in his journey and how it shaped who he is today.

This is exactly what the RU Strong Podcast is all about.
👉 The real stories behind the uniform
👉 The struggles no one sees
👉 And the mindset it takes to win in life after sports

Trust me… you don’t want to miss this one.

#RUStrong #Podcast #Leadership #MentalHealth #CollegeFootball#AthleteMindset #ESPN #Quarterback #LifeAfterSports

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I’m excited to welcome a fellow South Jersey native whose journey through the game of basketball has taken him from local courts to the global stage, Kevin Owens.

Kevin was a standout at Monmouth University, where he was a four-year starter, team captain, and part of a team that made a run to the NCAA Tournament. After earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he went on to play professionally in the NBA G League and then overseas from 2006 to 2010, experiencing the game on a global level.

But what really makes Kevin’s story powerful is what the game taught him along the way.

From battling through adversity, injuries, and uncertainty, to learning how to adapt in completely different countries and cultures, Kevin shares how basketball shaped his mindset, teaching him resilience, patience, and the ability to bet on himself even when no one else did. He talks about the discipline it takes to stay ready, the humility to keep growing, and the mental toughness required to navigate the highs and lows of a professional career.

He also opens up about the importance of identity beyond the game, how so many athletes struggle with transition, and why building something bigger than basketball became his mission.

Today, he’s the founder of Overseas Famous and Overseas X, an ecosystem built to support and connect athletes playing internationally. He’s also an author, podcast host, and a strong advocate for athlete mental health, bringing awareness to the challenges that come with playing overseas and transitioning into life after sports.

In this conversation, we dive into the realities of international basketball, the evolution of college sports in the NIL era, and the life lessons the game teaches that go far beyond the court.

This one is all about resilience, perspective, identity, and building a life beyond the game.