RU STRONG

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with one of the most respected minds in collegiate rowing and athlete development, Nancy LaRocque Pederson.

Nancy’s journey is anything but conventional. A former rower at UMass Amherst who didn’t even pick up the sport until college, turned a late start into a lifelong passion that shaped an elite coaching career. From her early days at Vassar College, where she quickly stepped into a head coaching role, to transforming the women’s rowing program at West Virginia University from a club team into a Division I program, Nancy has consistently built and elevated teams at the highest level.

Her coaching journey continued at the University of Wisconsin, where she became one of the top recruiters in the country, developing talent from both elite prospects and walk-on athletes. She later took on the challenge of leading an Ivy League program at Dartmouth College, where success required not only athletic excellence, but also the ability to recruit and develop high-character, academically elite student-athletes.

Now serving with U.S. Rowing as a Development and Athlete Success Associate, Nancy is helping Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls navigate life beyond sport, aligning career opportunities with the demands of elite training.

In this powerful conversation, Nancy shares her insights on leadership, recruiting, resilience, and what it truly takes to build a winning culture. She also reflects on the importance of mentorship, the evolving landscape of college athletics, and the life lessons that sports continue to teach long after competition ends.

This is an episode about growth, grit, and making an impact on and off the water.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where I spotlight the mindset, mission, and momentum behind athletes and leaders who turn adversity into strength.

Today’s episode features a true embodiment of resilience, discipline, and purpose, Roosevelt Boone.

A native of Washington, D.C., Roosevelt’s journey is one defined by grit and growth. As a four-time letter winner and scholar-athlete at the University of Maine, he proved early on that success isn’t just about performance on the field, but excellence in the classroom and in life.

But his story didn’t stop there.

Roosevelt went on to:

• Earn his graduate degree while continuing to lead and grow

• Transition into Division I coaching, including time at Rutgers University

• Step into higher education leadership as a Dean

• And build impact beyond the game through his nonprofit, Strong Mind, Strong Body, focused on youth wellness, nutrition, and development

From overcoming injuries and navigating life far from home.

To embracing the grind of coaching, recruiting, and leadership.

To now shaping lives through education, mentorship, and service.

Roosevelt Boone represents what it truly means to embrace the grind, build resilience, and turn your journey into purpose.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The transition from high school to Division I football

• Lessons learned through adversity and mental challenges

• The behind-the-scenes world of recruiting and player development

• And how to prepare for life beyond the game

This is a powerful conversation about growth, identity, and impact.

Click on the links below to hear the full episode.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a coach who has spent over two decades in the trenches of athletic performance, developing athletes, building systems, and shaping mindsets that extend far beyond the court.

Missy Mitchell McBeth brings a powerful blend of experience and perspective. From her days as a collegiate volleyball player to earning her Master’s in Exercise Physiology, and coaching at the highest levels, including her time at TCU working with multiple Division I programs, Missy has seen the game from every angle.

Today, as the Director of Sports Performance at Fieldhouse Volleyball Club and an author dedicated to developing volleyball athletes, Missy is on a mission to simplify strength and conditioning, making it practical, effective, and impactful for both coaches and athletes.

In this episode, Missy pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to compete at the collegiate level, where being an athlete isn’t a hobby, it’s a job. She shares real insights on the mental and physical demands of the game, the evolution of coaching, and why adaptability, not perfection, is the key to long-term success.

We dive into:

• The recruiting journey and why finding the right fit matters more than chasing labels

• How coaching has evolved from control to connection and the importance of athlete buy-in

• The role of discipline, accountability, and adversity in shaping strong individuals

• Injury reduction, performance development, and building resilient athletes

• Why great coaching is less about systems and more about understanding the athlete in front of you

Missy’s story is one of growth, grit, and continuous evolution, learning when to push, when to adapt, and how to meet athletes where they are while still holding them to a high standard.

This episode goes beyond sports.

It’s about leadership. It’s about resilience. And it’s about preparing athletes not just for the game but for life.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a rising voice in the world of sports media, Nick Kosko.

A true Jersey product and proud Rutgers alum, Nick’s journey is a powerful example of passion, persistence, and carving your own lane. From his days competing on the Rutgers club wrestling team to becoming the play-by-play voice of Rutgers Wrestling, Nick has built a standout career in broadcasting and journalism.

Nick has made his mark across multiple platforms, working with SiriusXM, ESPN Radio, 247Sports, and now covering college football nationally with On3. His story isn’t just about sports, it’s about embracing the grind, staying disciplined, and pursuing excellence in a highly competitive industry.

In this episode, Nick shares:

• His journey from a multi-sport athlete in South Jersey to national sports media

• The lessons learned from wrestling, leadership, and team culture

• How he built his career through consistency, mentorship, and resilience

• The realities behind the scenes of broadcasting and sports journalism

• And how staying committed to your craft can open doors you never expected

From the mat to the mic, to a national platform, this is a story of betting on yourself and building your voice.

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast, where we share powerful stories from athletes who have pushed themselves to the highest levels of competition while navigating the challenges that come with elite performance.

Today’s guest is Emma Misal, an outstanding soccer player whose journey is a true example of resilience, sacrifice, and perseverance.

Emma grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where she quickly established herself as one of the top players in the region, earning Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division First Team and All-Centennial Girls Soccer First Team honors, while also being selected to the U.S. Women’s National Team Under-18 pool.

She went on to play for Rutgers University in the Big Ten Conference, where she was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors as a defender, and was recognized as Academic All-Big Ten. During her time with the Scarlet Knights, Emma helped lead the program to a Big Ten Championship and a Final Four appearance.

After graduating from Rutgers with a degree in psychology, Emma continued her academic and athletic career at the University of South Carolina, completing her master’s degree before taking her talents overseas to play professional soccer in Sweden.

In this episode, we dive into Emma’s journey through elite college athletics, the mental challenges that come with injuries and high-level competition, and the mindset required to keep pushing forward.

Emma Misal, welcome to the RU Strong Podcast.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, host Jeff Durr welcomes an extraordinary guest whose story is the definition of resilience and strength, Lauren Sisler.

Lauren is a Rutgers University graduate and former Scarlet Knights gymnast, where she was a four-time letter winner and team captain. After graduating, she went on to build an incredible career in sports media as an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster and reporter for ESPN and the SEC Network, covering college football and gymnastics across the country. She has also been honored as Alabama Sportscaster of the Year and recognized as one of the top sports anchors in the industry.

But Lauren’s journey goes far beyond athletics and broadcasting.

As a freshman at Rutgers, Lauren faced an unimaginable tragedy when she lost both of her parents within hours of each other. That life-altering experience forced her to confront grief, shame, and adversity at a young age, ultimately shaping the person and professional she would become. She later shared that powerful story in her book “Shatter Proof.”

Today, Lauren uses her platform not only as a broadcaster but also as a speaker and advocate for mental health, addiction awareness, and resilience. She also serves on the Addiction Prevention Coalition in Birmingham and recently joined the Rutgers Foundation Board of Directors, continuing to give back to the university that helped support her during one of the most difficult seasons of her life.

In this episode, Lauren shares her journey from Rutgers gymnastics to ESPN, the lessons she learned about perseverance and identity, and how adversity can shape purpose.

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, and finding strength through life’s toughest challenges.

💪 Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, Lauren Sisler.

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast Intro – Scott Roussell

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast, where we bring you powerful stories of resilience, identity, and life after the game.

Today’s guest is Scott Roussell, a former Division I soccer player from one of the most dominant programs in college soccer history, the University of Virginia. During his time there, Virginia was a powerhouse, winning four NCAA national championships in five years, building what many would call a true dynasty in collegiate soccer.

Scott was surrounded by elite talent, teammates who went on to play in the World Cup, coached by legendary coach Bruce Arena, and competing at the highest level of college soccer. But like many athletes, Scott’s journey took an unexpected turn when injuries cut his playing career short just as he was coming into his prime.

That moment, when the game you love suddenly ends, can leave athletes asking one powerful question:

“Who am I without the game?”

Scott didn’t just ask that question; he built a mission around answering it.

Today, Scott is the founder of After We Play, an organization dedicated to helping athletes navigate the mental and emotional transition from sports to life beyond competition. His work focuses on what he calls “The Invisible Game” the mental and emotional challenges athletes face that no one sees but every competitor experiences.

Through his programs, Scott is helping athletes develop the tools to handle pressure, identity shifts, mental health challenges, and life after sport, before that transition ever arrives.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• The brotherhood and intensity of competing at the highest level of college athletics

• The emotional toll when injuries end a career prematurely

• Why so many athletes struggle when the locker room disappears

• The concept of “The Invisible Game” happening inside every athlete’s mind

• And how Scott is now helping athletes prepare for life after they play

If you’re a current or former athlete, coach, or someone who understands the identity that comes with competition, this episode is going to resonate deeply.

So, sit back and enjoy this powerful conversation with former Virginia Cavalier soccer player and founder of After We Play, Scott Roussell.

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast – Featuring Matthew Downing

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we sit down with one of the most resilient quarterbacks in college football, a man whose journey defines what it truly means to bet on yourself.

From the state of Georgia to becoming a 4.06 GPA scholar-athlete and two-time team captain, Matthew’s story is about far more than football.

He began as a preferred walk-on at the powerhouse program at University of Georgia, competing alongside elite talent like Jake Fromm and Justin Fields. With no scholarship guaranteed, he chose opportunity over comfort and earned respect the only way he knew how, through relentless work.

His journey then took him to Texas Christian University, where he battled injuries, COVID uncertainty, and depth chart competition, yet continued to grow as both a leader and a man.

Next stop: Louisiana Tech University. He earned the starting role, only to suffer a devastating knee injury in the middle of the season.

Many would have walked away. Matthew didn’t.

He transferred to Elon University, earned his master’s degree, rebuilt his confidence, led with vulnerability and toughness, and ultimately played in the Hula Bowl.

This episode is about:

🔥 Betting on yourself when no one guarantees you anything

💪 Earning respect in four different locker rooms

🙏 Growing in faith and leaning into community

❤️ The power of family, mentors, and a supportive wife who walked every step of the journey

🧠 Becoming “the calm in the storm” when your team needs you most

Matthew opens up about self-belief, leadership, authenticity, and what it truly takes to command trust as a quarterback, especially when you're the new guy every time.

For every athlete navigating transfers, injuries, NIL, or uncertainty.

For every leader trying to earn respect.

For anyone chasing a dream without guarantees.

This episode will move you.

🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of the RU Strong Podcast and hear why Matthew Downing’s journey is proof that resilience builds leaders.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we welcome an extraordinary former Rutgers student-athlete whose story goes far beyond the water.

Our guest is Rachel Maeng, former Rutgers Women’s Varsity Rowing coxswain, student leader, entrepreneur, and fearless advocate.

While competing at the Division I level in the inaugural Big Ten era, Rachel wasn’t just steering an eight-person boat, she was leading across campus. From serving on the Rutgers University Student Assembly executive board, to representing student-athletes on the Athletics Affairs Committee and SAC, to volunteering with Embrace Kids and the R Fund, Rachel was building impact long before she built companies

But her journey wasn’t easy.

She faced team conflict, battled years of undiagnosed back pain that eventually required surgery, navigated identity as a Korean Filipina adoptee growing up in a predominantly white community, and openly shares her experience with OCD, anxiety, and depression.

And yet, through adversity came clarity.

Rachel transitioned from athlete to advocate. From biomedical engineering to economics. From working with Rutgers Football and the New York Mets to launching and selling her own influencer agency. Today, she works at the intersection of sports, strategy, and entrepreneurship, advising brands, working with athletes, and continuing to serve Rutgers as an Alumni Affairs Senator.

This conversation is about:

• Losing confidence and rebuilding it

• When your sport “dies” before you do

• The physical toll of stress and leadership

• Mental health in athletes and entrepreneurs

• Betting on yourself and building something that matters

Rachel’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering purpose when the original dream changes.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, out of place, injured, anxious, or called to something bigger, this episode is for you.

This is RU Strong!

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast!

Today’s guest is the definition of global grit, discipline, and belief.

All the way from England, this young man crossed the Atlantic to chase two dreams at once, elite soccer and elite academics.

Danny Lokko.

A product of the English academy system, discovered at just six years old by Everton, trained in the professional ranks, and faced with an 18-year-old decision most adults wouldn’t be ready for go pro or bet on education.

He chose Cornell University.

Ivy League. Economics & Management. Dean’s List every single semester. 3.7 GPA.

All while waking up at 4:30 AM for lifts, grinding through snow-covered slopes in Ithaca winters, battling injuries, navigating identity beyond sport, and helping lead one of Cornell Soccer’s most successful runs in program history.

But this conversation isn’t just about goals scored or GPAs earned.

It’s about:

⚽ Making the hard choice when the pro contract is on the table

📚 Managing two full-time jobs, Ivy League academics and Division I athletics

🧠 Confronting self-doubt and redefining identity beyond the game

🙏 Faith, vulnerability, and mental toughness

💪 Sacrifice, sweat, and courage

Danny opens up about the pressure of high expectations, the moment he had to confront fear head-on, and how becoming “Big Unk” the veteran leader, meant serving others before himself.

This episode is about resilience.

It’s about maturity.

It’s about choosing growth over comfort.

And it’s a reminder that greatness isn’t handed to you, it’s built at 4:30 in the morning when nobody’s watching.

Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast. Danny Lokko