The Caution Stalling Podcast

James Zuniga, a multi-sport athlete and the younger brother of Mark Zuniga—a previous guest on the show—joins Daniel on the Caution Stalling Podcast. James reflects on his experiences competing in both soccer and wrestling. While he makes it clear that soccer is his true passion, he also opens up about the grind of wrestling and some of the personal disconnect he has felt with the sport over the years.

James has spent a significant amount of time competing in wrestling. Although it has never fully captured his heart, he openly shares that the sport has given him many things to be grateful for. One of the biggest connections he has to wrestling is his brother Mark. That relationship helped keep James tied to the sport and shaped much of his journey on the mat. He reflects on the long road he has traveled in wrestling and how the experience has helped mold him both as an athlete and as a person.

When the conversation shifts to soccer, James’ passion immediately becomes clear. He loves the team dynamic and the fact that the sport is played outdoors. James talks about how he first got started with soccer and explains the difference between high school soccer and the club level. Club soccer, in particular, has opened his eyes to the game in a new way—allowing him to learn new positions, grow as a player, and experience the travel that comes with competing at a higher level.

By the end of the conversation, James’ story highlights an important reality many athletes face: being talented in multiple sports doesn’t always mean loving them equally. His journey shows the internal battles athletes can experience when balancing family traditions with personal passions. While James isn’t forced to wrestle, he admits that it can be difficult to fully commit when his heart is drawn so strongly toward the game of soccer (which is okay). His story is an example of following your heart.

Kainoa, a multi-sport athlete from Las Vegas High School, joins the podcast to reflect on his athletic journey. A three-year varsity football letterman and four-year varsity wrestler, Kainoa balanced two demanding sports while becoming a key contributor to a strong Las Vegas football program and building an impressive wrestling résumé.

The youngest of his siblings, Kainoa often speaks about the importance of family. Coming from a strong foundation, he credits his support system for helping him pursue his goals and become the person he set out to be. His faith has also played a major role in shaping both him and his family, serving as a constant source of guidance and motivation throughout his journey.

On the wrestling side, Kainoa is a two-time State Finalist and capped off his senior year by winning the 4A State Championship at 150 pounds. Over time, he developed a deep love for the sport, which led him to focus more heavily on wrestling as his career progressed. While he continued to give everything he had to football, he made sacrifices in the offseason to put himself in better positions on the mat.

After practices and during the offseason, Kainoa consistently sought extra work, frequently attending club practices and continuing to train whenever possible. That dedication ultimately paid off, helping him reach the top of the podium in his final high school season.

Ryder, a sophomore in high school, has built himself into a State Champion — not through flash or hype, but through discipline and a willingness to embrace what’s difficult. For much of his early journey, he was simply trying to find his way in the sport. What separated him wasn’t immediate dominance, but his commitment to doing the hard things over and over again. Now, as a State Champion, Ryder speaks with gratitude about the lessons in accountability, toughness, and resilience that wrestling has given him as a young man.

Ryder is quick to joke about being a “staller,” embracing the comments with a smile. While the label doesn’t truly define his style, it doesn’t bother him either. In high-level matches, many elite wrestlers become calculated and protective of position. Ryder understands that strategy. Though he confidently expresses his ability to score, he admits he often feels more comfortable shutting down opponents’ attacks than initiating them. It’s a self-awareness that reflects his growth — from youth wrestling, to his freshman season, to now capturing a State Title as a sophomore.

He also opens up about early struggles in his career. Without going into deep detail, Ryder shares two pivotal challenges he faced as a child: weight cutting and the pressure to win. At just 11 years old, he experienced a 16-pound weight cut — something that shaped his perspective on the sport. He also put immense pressure on himself to win, driven by his admiration for his coaches and his desire to make them proud.

The turning point came in high school under Coach Pineda. Coach Pineda removed the burden of outcome and asked Ryder to focus on one thing — wrestling hard. That shift changed everything. By emphasizing effort over results, Ryder was freed to compete without fear. He learned how to process losses, how to grow from them, and how to separate his identity from the scoreboard. That period became one of the most critical stages of his development.

Today, Ryder stands not just as a State Champion, but as an athlete shaped by adversity, perspective, and the right guidance at the right time. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t always come from winning — it often comes from learning how to handle everything that comes with it.

On this episode of the Caution Stalling Podcast, Daniel is joined by newly crowned State Champion Tylene Tran. They open the show by breaking down Tylene’s championship performance and what it meant to finally get the job done. As a four-time State Finalist, Tylene reflects on the differences between her previous finals appearances and this year’s title run. She shares insight into her strengths, the struggles she’s faced along the way, and why she feels ready to transition into freestyle competition.

The conversation then shifts to a full recap of the Girls State Tournament. Daniel lists the State Champions and placers at every weight, followed by a fun segment where he and Tylene hand out superlatives from the girls’ side of the bracket. They explain the reasoning behind each selection and close out the segment by naming their top three pound-for-pound wrestlers to watch moving forward.

To wrap up the episode, they turn their attention to the boys’ tournament. Since Tylene wasn’t able to thoroughly watch the boys’ matches, they take a broader approach — giving an overall assessment of the tournament, handing out a few superlatives, and highlighting key storylines. Daniel then runs through the State Champions and placers to round out a complete State recap.

Daniel and Adrian, Eldorado's 120 lb State Champ reflect on 4A's State tournament. The host Daniel opens the show with Adrian and his performance ultimately defending his junior year's State Title his senior year at 4A. Adrian puts down a great performance to lock in becoming a 2 time Nevada State Champion.

Secondly, Daniel and Adrian breakdown the brackets and discuss some of the outcomes. While some brackets had top performers, some did not. They discuss some of the day's big performances.

Lastly, Daniel and Adrian use some questions sent in to end the recap of State. They discuss the top performers, some of the upsets, the biggest surprises and key in on somebody they were most happy for.

Eduardo never imagined himself on a wrestling mat. Soccer was where he believed his athletic future belonged. Having just moved to Las Vegas, he was quiet, reserved, and unsure of himself. Wrestling wasn’t even on his radar—until a single move he learned in PE class unexpectedly changed the next several years of his life.

Though he started wrestling later than most, Eduardo made the absolute most of his opportunity through relentless dedication. He joined a club and showed up every single day. That first summer wasn’t filled with victories. In fact, success came slowly—but he kept showing up.

Working with Coach Frank, Eduardo embraced his creativity and developed a unique “funk” wrestling style. While that scrambling, risk-taking approach sometimes led to shortcomings, he refused to abandon it. Instead of backing away from the positions that exposed him, he leaned into them. After practice, he stayed behind, asking questions and drilling situations over and over again until they became strengths.

By senior year, everything changed.

At the Nevada 5A State Championships, competing at 150 pounds, Eduardo stood on the podium as a 4th-place finisher. Just one year earlier, he had been a junior varsity wrestler in his first season ever. He hadn’t won JV Zones. He went 0–2 at Regionals as an alternate.

But none of that defined him.

That 0–2 performance didn’t discourage him—it fueled him. He took it personally. He made a promise to himself that he would never feel that helpless again. Through discipline, consistency, and belief in his own style, Eduardo transformed from a timid newcomer into a state placer.

His journey wasn’t built on early success. It was built on resilience.

Kaija joins the podcast and brings an incredible amount of energy to her story. What began as wrestling in high school simply to be around the boys quickly turned into something much deeper. Kaija found a true connection to the sport and developed a genuine love for wrestling. While she’s achieved significant success, much of her journey—and daily athletic life—has been a battle. Kaija is truly inspiring.

A top wrestler in Nevada, Kaija battles more than just opponents on the mat. Alongside the grind and hardships every wrestler faces, she also manages diabetes—something that changes everything in a sport built around making weight. While she has done an incredible job competing even five pounds under, it’s a challenge far greater than most understand. At times, she has to step off the mat to prioritize her health. Monitoring weight alone is exhausting for wrestlers; balancing that while needing to intake sugar adds another layer of difficulty few ever experience.

Kaija is more than just a wrestler. She’s a retired high-level gymnast, a track athlete, and a powerlifting competitor. Her pursuit of excellence shows up in every phase of her life, not just when she’s wearing a Green Valley singlet. Her dedication, resilience, and daily battles are what truly make Kaija extraordinary.

Daniel and Frank get together to recap Nevada's Southern Women's Regionals and make their predictions for 4A Desert and Mountain Regionals for State Qualifications.

Khy’ree, a young man chasing his dreams through the grind of wrestling, joins the podcast. Coming from a non-traditional wrestling school in North Las Vegas, Khy’ree is determined to represent himself on the highest podiums. Where many might fold under the pressure, Khy’ree thrives in discomfort.

His wrestling journey began in New Jersey with his grandpa, who served as his first coach. After moving back, Khy’ree committed himself to honoring the path his grandparents helped pave—his grandpa guiding him on the mat, and his grandma serving as his loudest and proudest supporter. When things get tough, Khy’ree leans on the memory of his grandparents to keep pushing forward.

Today, wrestling is more than a sport—it’s a lifestyle. His support system shows up, makes themselves heard, and ensures you know exactly what mat he’s on. While many chase accolades, Khy’ree is chasing a legacy. His goals aren’t shaken by circumstance because his mind is made up.

Tune in as Khy’ree shares his wrestling journey and the road ahead. No matter the obstacle, Khy’ree and his support system are ready to knock it down and get the job done.

Coach Fiorito joins the Caution Stalling Podcast in a truly unique way. Joshua isn’t a coach tied to a specific sport—he specializes in the mental side of athletics and competition. Through his own experiences as a competitor, Joshua fought personal battles that ultimately shaped his desire to help others navigate theirs. At the end of the day, he reminds us of something important: this is still just a game.

Joshua shares glimpses of his wrestling career—just enough to give us insight into who he was becoming. Though he found success, he always felt there was more to pursue. It wasn’t until he lost wrestling that he truly realized how deeply he loved the sport.

Coach Josh also dives into the mission behind his business, The Centered Athlete. Rather than explaining it outright, we challenge you to listen and experience it for yourself. Using host Daniel as a live example, Josh walks both Daniel and the audience through part of his process—offering a real-time look into how he helps athletes dial in mentally and compete with clarity.