The Gametime Guru

We're breaking down the college football landscape right now as Mike Zanetti joins me here on the show! It's coming up on Week 13 of the season and we have a LOT to chat about!

Join us to discuss the true 'contenders' vs the 'pretenders' in the college football playoff race!

We're going to chat about the potential upsets:

- Could Alabama lose to Auburn?

- Will Ohio State come out undefeated or will Michigan or Indiana have something to say about that?

- Will Vanderbilt find a way into the playoff and would it be great to have Diego Pavia in the playoff?

- What about the Group of 5? Should Tulane actually deserve a spot or should they re-consider that whole format?

And we also discuss who the true Heisman Candidates should be!?

Has Mike become an Indiana fan since moving to the state for work?!! Join us to hear more today.

This is the Nations Best Natty Show brought to you by The NIL Marketplace Showcase (details below)

The NIL Marketplace Showcase July 7-9th Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, Indiana

#CollegeFootball #Heisman #Playoffs

What an awesome opportunity we have today to chat with Jay Paterno, the son of legendary Penn State University Coach, Joe Paterno. With his most recent book, "Blitzed" coming out recently, we'll chat with Jay about the contents of the book and how the landscape of college football continues to change, which is leaving coaches and players alike with a need to adapt!

There are so many additional pressures with NIL coming into play. The money brings so many pressures.

Do coaches have shorter leashes while coaching now? Do the expectations change from fanbases and donors now with all this money playing a factor?

How does this impact recruiting? How does this impact retention and keeping rosters intact?

What does Jay think about potentially having a collective bargaining agreement in college athletics?

What about betting? How has gambling had an impact on sports? Fans, coaches, players, referees alike?

We get to hear some of his favorite memories and some of the great lessons he learned along with his father!

Come checkout this awesome conversation and snag your copy of the book so you can dive into it even deeper!

Follow Jay:

SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/jaypaternoforpa/ https://twitter.com/JayPaterno https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaypaterno/ https://www.youtube.com/@nittanygameweek4442/featured https://www.instagram.com/jayvpaterno/ BIOS: https://jaypaterno.onlinepresskit247.com/about.html IMAGES: https://jaypaterno.onlinepresskit247.com/image-gallery.html WEBSITE: https://www.jayvpaterno.com/

BLITZED on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blitzed-All-Out-Pressure-College-Footballs/dp/B0DFW82ZT5/

Thanks for tuning in and if you enjoy this episode, please consider giving me a follow here on YouTube to help me build out this platform!

#JayPaterno #PennStateFootball #Coaching #Author

In this solo episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, I'm sharing two stories that hit close to home—one from the sideline and one from the broader world of college sports.

How I Learned (Again) That I Belong

I relive one of my final club basketball games coaching in California—when my undersized team went toe-to-toe with a junior college squad and found a way to win. It's a raw look at belief, resilience, and learning how to win again after a stretch of setbacks. If you've ever questioned whether you belong—at work, in sport, or in life—this one's for you.

The NIL Era: Opportunity & Uncertainty

• I break down the current state of Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) in college sports:
• How NIL is reshaping recruiting and roster retention
• Why powerhouse programs (think Ohio State) and mid-majors (like Boise State) face different realities
• The rise of donor fatigue and what it means for long-term sustainability
• Why NIL can be a double-edged sword—creating new opportunities for JUCO and DII athletes while adding pressure elsewhere
• Practical ideas for athletes (yes, even JUCO players) to build a brand—like starting a podcast and owning your story

What you'll take away:

• How to rebuild confidence after a string of losses
• Why culture and standards help you "flip the switch" back to winning
• Actionable ways athletes and coaches can adapt in the NIL era

If you're a coach, parent, athlete, or sports fan who believes games teach life, you'll feel right at home here. After nine years of conversations with athletes and coaches from 183 countries and all 50 states, I'm more convinced than ever: when you put in the work, you belong.

If this episode resonates, follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts—it helps the mission and keeps the conversations coming. Thanks for listening and for being part of the Gametime Guru community.

Sports writer Bill Rabinowitz joins me to unpack his new book Buckeye Brotherhood, the people-first stories from Ohio State's national championship season, and what it really takes to build a career in sports media today. We cover interviewing 50+ players and coaches, the leadership arc of Ryan Day, and why great reporting starts with listening. If you love Ohio State or you want to sharpen your sports-writing game, this one will hit.

In this episode:

• The human stories behind the Buckeyes' championship run
• How to break into sports media in 2025 and build audience on your own terms
• Listening to understand vs listening to reply
• Preparing under pressure and telling hard stories the right way
• Why Ohio State football unites an entire state
• Five takeaways
• People first, plays second. The best football stories are human stories.
• Listening is your edge. It unlocks trust and better reporting.
• Preparation reduces nerves and clarifies decisions.
• You can build a writing career if you are excellent and consistent.
• Resilience and identity fueled Ohio State's run, not just scheme.

Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:00 Bill's path in journalism 06:45 Breaking in today 08:40 The power of listening 12:35 Why Ohio State unites Ohio 13:30 Making Buckeye Brotherhood 18:55 Telling Ryan Day's story 21:05 Unsung players, big moments 27:30 Substack and paying for real journalism 41:00 Wrap and resources

Resources

Book: Buckeye Brotherhood (search on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Triumph Books)

Bill's Substack: billrabinowitz.substack.com

About The Gametime Guru

Nine years running, I interview sports figures from around the world to deliver a panoramic view on sports. Former athletes, die-hards, and casual fans all walk away with something useful.

Enjoy the show?

Follow, rate the podcast, and share this episode with a Buckeyes fan or an aspiring sports writer.

Coach Marianne "Coach B" Blackwell knows what it takes to compete. From growing up in Middleton, Idaho, to leading her team at Brigham Young University to the Sweet 16, she's experienced every level of the game — and now she's shaping the next generation of athletes.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How growing up in a competitive family molded her game
• The transition from JUCO to D1 basketball at BYU
• Why effort, fundamentals, and mindset still matter more than flash
• How the landscape of women's basketball has evolved
• Club vs. high school coaching philosophies
• How parents can best support their athletes
• Building teams that stay together through adversity

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or parent, this episode gives you a look at the realities of player development, leadership, and resilience in the world of basketball.

Follow The Gametime Guru Podcast for more in-depth conversations with athletes and coaches who inspire.

#Basketball #WomensBasketball #BYU #Coaching #PlayerDevelopment #HighSchoolSports #ClubBasketball #SportsMindset #Leadership #Podcast #TheGametimeGuru

DJ Clark's story is one of perseverance, grit, and the reality of chasing a dream. From Oceanside, California to Idaho State University, DJ carved out a path as a standout defensive back. After going undrafted, he earned NFL tryouts with the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers, where every rep determined his future.

In this episode, DJ dives into:

• 🏈 How late specialization and multisport training shaped his game

• 🌍 The cultural shock of moving from California to Idaho

• 🧠 What it's really like fighting for a roster spot as an undrafted free agent

• ⚡ Facing NFL legends in camp and the mental pressure behind the scenes

• 🔄 Transitioning from player to coach and building a new life in Idaho Falls

🎙 Quick Facts:

• Who is DJ Clark? A former Idaho State DB who earned NFL tryouts with the Panthers and Packers.

• Where is he from? Oceanside, California.

• What teams did he try out for? Carolina Panthers & Green Bay Packers.

• What does he do now? Coaching and mentoring young athletes in Idaho.

This is a story about more than football — it's about resilience, identity, and growth beyond the game.

👉 Follow The Gametime Guru for weekly interviews with athletes, coaches, and sports insiders from around the world.

#Football #NFL #DJClark #IdahoState #Undrafted #CarolinaPanthers #GreenBayPackers #SportsPodcast #GameTimeGuru #Motivation #AthleteJourney

Former bookmaker Mathew Bowyer joins the show to pull back the curtain on underground sports betting. Matt explains how credit books work, why so many bettors prefer them over legal apps, and how his network operated across the country and overseas. He shares the night he met Ippei Mizuhara, the scale of the action that followed, and what happened when the FBI raided his home in October 2023.

The conversation digs into gambling addiction, the odds stacked against the average bettor, and how Matt is approaching accountability and fatherhood as he reports to federal prison. We close with lessons on resilience, redefining success, and his new book Recalibrate.

Highlights

• Teen hustle to global bookmaking
• Credit, liquidity, and why most bettors lose
• Athletes, privacy, and policy lines Matt would not cross
• The raids in 2014 and 2023
• Addiction and the coming wave among young bettors
• Justice system reflections and life after prison
• Matt's book and plans to help others when he returns

Guest links Website: https://mathewbowyer.com/ Book: Recalibrate on Amazon

Host Shane Larson | The Gametime Guru

How do you rebuild your life when it feels like everything has been stripped away?

In this powerful episode of The Game Time Guru, I sit down with Chad Dunn — former inmate turned CEO & Co-Founder of MOVE Human Performance in Arizona. Chad's journey isn't about luck. It's about grit, discipline, and choosing to keep moving forward one step at a time.

We cover:

• From BMX racer to football/wrestling → how early identity shaped his toughness
• The wrong turns: chasing adrenaline, drugs, prison—and how he reset from zero
• The "one in a row" mindset: stacking wins one day at a time
• Helping athletes & survivors: ACL tears, spinal cord injuries, burns, gunshot trauma
• Turning fear into focus and refusing to set limits in rehab or in life
• Building MOVE Human Performance: why he became the "Uber of PT" and grew it from scratch
• Lifelong learning: why you're either growing or decaying
• Chad also shares insights from his upcoming book, Mind Over Virtually Everything (releasing October 28, 2025 on Amazon), where he lays out lessons on identity, resilience, and making every move a calculated step.

If you've ever felt like you were starting from zero—or stuck in recovery, rebuilding, or redefining yourself—this episode is your playbook.

Guest:

Chad Dunn, the CEO & Co-Founder, MOVE Human Performance (AZ) Book: Mind Over Virtually Everything — Oct 28, 2025

https://mindovervirtuallyeverything.com/product/mind-over-virtually-everything/

Website: https://moveperformance.com/

IG: Chad Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/chaddunn22/

IG: Move Performance: https://www.instagram.com/moveperformance/

Listen & Subscribe: YouTube: https://youtu.be/zyTI353QELU

Former Purdue walk-on Jake Thieneman went from last man on the roster to scholarship starter—despite nine surgeries—and earned opportunities with the Giants, Colts, and 49ers (Super Bowl run). In this candid conversation, Jake breaks down the mindset, systems, and discipline that carried him through injuries, depth charts, and cuts. Then he unpacks the identity crash after sport, rebuilding fitness, and why he co-founded All-In Performance—including their 41-Day All-In Challenge for former athletes and high-level performers.

Topics: • Walk-on mentality: regret-minimization, extra work, controllables • Setbacks & surgeries → special teams → starter & bowl INT • The 2018 Ohio State upset and big-game moments • Pro shot: Pro Day, Giants minicamp, Colts preseason, 49ers practice squad • Transition after sport: depression, yo-yo fitness, reclaiming identity • All-In Performance: cohort coaching & the 41-Day All-In Challenge

Guest:

Jake Thieneman — Co-Founder, All-In Performance | Former Purdue Safety | NFL (Giants, Colts, 49ers)

IG: @jake.thenaman

Challenge/Coaching: [https://allinperformance.io/] — DM "ALL IN" to Jake on IG

Connect: Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j1bdMuaUHCA New episodes weekly—follow and leave a quick review if this helped your training or coaching

Exercise scientist and biohacking pioneer PJ Glassey (founder, X-Gym; author, Cracking Your Calorie Code) joins the Gametime Guru to deliver a playbook for busy athletes: morning hydration that actually absorbs, nutrition on the road for tournaments and travel, and a 21-minute, twice-weekly time-under-tension program that builds precision, coordination, and strength without beating up your joints. We also cover brain-type-based discipline loops, smart use of wearables (Oura, CGM, Apple Watch), and how cold plunge + sauna can boost recovery and mental toughness.

Topics: • Hydration: electrolytes, morning rehydration, performance cost of 2–4% dehydration • Travel nutrition: grocery/mini-fridge hacks, protein + veggies first, better fast-food choices • Training: TUT explained, slow-rep precision, nerve training for coordination • Mental performance: identity > motivation, discipline systems, PJ's Brain Type Test • Recovery & tracking: cold plunge/sauna ramping, sleep data that drives changes

Website: https://www.xgym.com Book (Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Your-Calorie-Code-Version-ebook/dp/B09HHGBZZN Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oPsIwosN1U

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