The Gametime Guru

The last time I spoke with Colby Blaine, was back in 2020, and we were able to hear about what he was building over at College of Idaho for their men's basketball program. Since that time SO MUCH has happened, which is exactly why I needed to circle back with the man to hear the updates.

The Yotes basketball program won the national championship in 2023 and 2025 with some big runs into the Elite 8 and the Fab 4 of the NAIA National Tournament in the past few years. He's also finished with an NABC NAIA Coach of the Year award in 2023 and 2025.

According to Wikipedia "The NABC Coach of the Year is an award given annually by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to recognize the top head coach in men's college basketball across the four largest college athletic associations in the United States."

To say Coach Blaine has achieved success at this program, would be a massive understatement. And it's due in large part to his amazing leadership qualities! His ability to get his players to rally behind him is incredible.

We'll learn from him about many aspects of coaching, recruiting, growth mindset, personal development and more!

If you're looking to be a better leader in your life, this is one you're going to need to tap into!

Thanks for tuning into the show and for showing your support! Please make sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button here on YouTube so you can catch all the new interviews as they come out :)

#CollegeofIdaho #LegacyDriven #CoachOfTheYear

In this powerful and insightful interview on The Gametime Guru Podcast, I'm joined by former NFL offensive lineman Matt Skura, best known for his time with the Baltimore Ravens. We dive deep into Matt's football journey—from his college days at Duke University, to the brutal grind of the NFL trenches, and the personal battles he's faced off the field.

Matt shares:

• What it was like to play college football at Duke and his favorite on-field memories

• The biggest transitions he faced entering the NFL and the moment he realized he had made it

• His most physically demanding experiences in the league and how he learned to adapt

• How he used technique and football IQ to compete, even when he wasn't the most athletic guy on the field

• The moment he knew it was time to hang up the cleats and transition into life after football

• A vulnerable and inspiring conversation about mental health, the loss of his father to suicide, and why he now advocates for mental and emotional well-being

• The importance of preparing yourself mentally and physically to succeed on and off the field

Matt's story is one of grit, intelligence, and purpose—a must-listen for any athlete, coach, or parent who wants to understand the game of football beyond the scoreboard.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Timberline Digital Marketing – the go-to team for all your SEO, content, paid ads, and digital growth strategies. Visit www.timberlinedigitalmarketing.com to level up your online presence.

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru Podcast and don't forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear Matt's inspiring message.

Matt's Newsletter is one you'll want to subscribe to: https://mattskura.substack.com/

Please checkout Matt's story here: https://mhaofcc.org/news/mens-mental-health-we-see-you

Abu Kigab is a former Boise State and Oregon basketball player. He's now playing professionally overseas and is making an impact with the game of basketball. In this 400th episode of The Gametime Guru, we are diving into what it truly takes to compete at a high level.

Abu talks about the importance of taking care of your body. How nutrition and sleep play such an important role in your ability to play at 100% during your career and he speaks on the importance of discipline and consistency when trying to level up your game.

It's intriguing to hear from someone who is actively competing, on just how much work is required to truly be great at what you do. There is a lot of work and study that you need to do in order to stay on top of your game.

If you are an aspiring athlete who wants to truly get to the next level, this is a great episode to tune into!

You'll understand just exactly why Sam Winter had good things to say about him in our previous interview!

#ProfessionalBasketball #OverseasBasketball

_____________________________________

If you would like to watch the show, please feel free to follow me on YouTube and catch the video podcast from each of the guests!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHG9H7vljaLwQ765GIdBQA

Athlete Narrative is an app for athletes to help streamline the recruiting process for them. See, one of the biggest hiccups in the young athlete's journey, is the recruiting process as a whole. What do they need when they reach out to coaches? How many emails do they need to send? What if there was a tool that could help with all of this?

The app will help you build your radar page (profile) and then with the AI technology inside of it, will provide you information on schools and their coaching staff's information to contact. It will help you craft emails that are tailored to those schools to provide all the necessary information that coaches need and want to hear.

This app is literally providing HOPE for the athletes! It's allowing them the opportunity to send out multiple emails in MINUTES! Rather than just a few emails in a few days!

And the best part about it, is the fact that it's AFFORDABLE!! For as much as you probably pay at the gas station in a day or two, you can pay for Athlete Narrative for $20/month. I'd encourage all athletes and parents who are needing help in the recruiting process, to reach out if you have questions and checkout this app!

Head to: www.athletenarrative.com If you have questions email: [email protected]

You can also follow them on social media: https://www.instagram.com/athletenarrative/

If you're under the radar in recruiting, this will help put you on the map!

#Recruiting #AITechnology #CollegeRecruits

_______________________________________________

If you enjoy the show and would like to WATCH the interviews, make sure to give me a follow on YouTube and catch the full VIDEO conversations there as well!

Followon YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHG9H7vljaLwQ765GIdBQA

As a coach, I have the opportunity to see just how powerful team basketball can truly be when playing the game of basketball. Even at my age, I was able to witness the power of playing team ball in our City League Championship here in Idaho.

Why does it seem hard for many kids to grasp this concept though? We'll talk about that in the show today.

We'll also discuss some of the interviews that I've done in recent times and I'll go through some of the things I've learned from the guests that I've been able to speak to.

I used to do these shows solo back when I began doing the podcast, and today is an opportunity for me to do that again. Thanks for tuning in and I'd ask that you consider giving me a follow if you enjoy the content!

#Sports #Podcast #Interviews

If you'd like to listen to the show, you can catch the podcast on your favorite platforms:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gametime-guru/id1195653965

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6bBJIiyOxs25BHKhKlCe23

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/81800b66-fda2-4263-ac16-04c1c1d637a8/the-gametime-guru

Tune In: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Sports--Recreation-Podcasts/The-Gametime-Guru-p1021721/

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvbvSCliFvNWYadx9YugquysAbVz8Cb7i

_____________________________

If you are a business owner, and you have heard about ClickFunnels, then you know the power it can have on your business!!

EVERYONE is always looking for a discount to ClickFunnels, and I have it for you right here!

https://www.imallin.com/?aff=5cbea6d0-1f1c-435e-bf6f-489c8a4ac116-1WzEwLDIwNTZdc

If you want to get ClickFunnels at a MAJOR discounted rate, then click the link above and you can literally SAVE HUNDREDS PER YEAR on the subscription!

Get it TODAY!

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with Sam Winter, former Boise State Basketball player and creative content creator. Sam's story goes beyond his time on the court—he built a personal brand by sharing behind-the-scenes stories and embracing his role within a Division I program. His content gave fans a unique, authentic look at life as a college athlete.

We cover Sam's athletic journey, including:

How an ACL injury in high school almost ended his career

His decision to walk on at Boise State and what it took to earn a spot on the team

Life as a D1 basketball player and the lessons learned along the way

How he embraced his role and found ways to stand out through content creation

His process for developing creative, authentic content and growing an audience

Transitioning from athlete to entrepreneur with the launch of his Christian clothing line

The role of faith in his life, on and off the court Sam shares valuable insights for athletes, parents, and coaches about leadership, personal branding, and finding your identity beyond sports. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or an athlete looking for inspiration, Sam's story will show you how to maximize your opportunities and stay true to yourself.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with athletes, entrepreneurs, and creators who are making an impact on and off the field.

#BoiseState #CollegeBasketball #ContentCreation #AthleteJourney #PersonalBranding #SportsLeadership #SamWinter #TheGametimeGuru

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with Andrew "Dru" Faga, former UNLV Fullback and Idaho State Linebacker, to talk about his football journey and life after the game. Dru shares what it was like playing at the Division I level, his transition between programs, and the lessons he learned on and off the field.

But this conversation goes beyond his playing days! Dru is now one of the co-hosts of the Huddle Up Youth Sports Podcast, a show dedicated to helping parents, coaches, and anyone involved in youth athletics navigate the world of sports. We dive deep into the youth sports landscape, discussing common challenges, the importance of positive coaching, and how to create a healthy, supportive environment for young athletes.

If you're a parent of young athletes, a youth coach, or just passionate about sports development, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.

🎧 Don't miss Dru's perspective on football, youth sports, and the power of being a positive influence in the lives of young athletes!

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring sports stories!

Make sure to follow the Huddle Up Youth Sports Podcast on their social media networks:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddleup.ysp/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huddleup.ysp

YouTube: @HuddleUp_YSP - https://www.youtube.com/@HuddleUp_YSP

#YouthSports #Football #UNLVFootball #PositiveCoaching #HuddleUpPodcast #DruFaga #TheGametimeGuru

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with "Slammin' Sammy Christensen" to dive deep into his journey as an athlete. Sammy was a late bloomer in high school, but his dedication and multi-sport background helped shape his success.

We discuss: 🏈 Football recruiting and how he ended up playing college baseball instead ⚾ His JUCO baseball experience and the transition to a university before going pro ⚾ Lessons from the minor leagues and how they shaped his mindset 🏆 His success in coaching young athletes and mindset development 🏀 His championships in city league basketball and national slow-pitch softball 💡 The importance of surrounding yourself with positive influences

Sammy has helped hundreds of young athletes develop their skills and mental approach to the game. His story is a must-listen for aspiring athletes, parents, and coaches who want to understand what it takes to excel in sports and life.

🚀 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring sports stories!

#Baseball #FootballRecruiting #JUCOBaseball #Mindset #AthleteJourney #MinorLeagues #SlamminSammy #TheGametimeGuru

_____________________________

If you are a business owner, and you have heard about ClickFunnels, then you know the power it can have on your business!!

EVERYONE is always looking for a discount to ClickFunnels, and I have it for you right here!

https://www.imallin.com/?aff=5cbea6d0-1f1c-435e-bf6f-489c8a4ac116-1WzEwLDIwNTZdc

If you want to get ClickFunnels at a MAJOR discounted rate, then click the link above and you can literally SAVE HUNDREDS PER YEAR on the subscription!

Get it TODAY!

How did Nevada Wolf Pack legend Nick Fazekas go from nearly quitting college basketball to the NBA, a 55-point debut in the Philippines, and ultimately becoming a basketball superstar in Japan?

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with former Nevada basketball star and professional basketball veteran Nick Fazekas for an incredible conversation about basketball, adversity, the business of professional sports, and a career that took him around the world.

Nick's journey begins in Colorado, where basketball was part of his life from an early age. After an enormous growth spurt in high school, he developed into one of the top players in the state and eventually became Mr. Colorado.

But when Nick arrived at the University of Nevada, success did not come immediately.

He was a skilled 6-foot-11 freshman trying to compete against older and stronger Division I players. Nick opens up about struggling to find minutes, watching Nevada earn huge victories without being able to contribute the way he wanted, and even calling his dad to tell him he was thinking about quitting.

He stayed.

That decision helped lead to a remarkable college career that included four NCAA Tournament appearances, a Sweet 16 run, and one of Nick's favorite memories: going into Kansas and helping Nevada defeat the Jayhawks on their home floor.

Nick then entered professional basketball and was selected 34th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Draft.

From there, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a side of professional basketball that fans rarely get to see.

Nick talks about:

• Being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks
• Playing in the D-League with former Nevada teammate Ramon Sessions
• How the Jason Kidd trade impacted his opportunity in Dallas
• Being waived and suddenly wondering what came next
• Earning 10-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers
• Working his way into the Clippers rotation
• Guarding players such as Dwight Howard
• The role agents and contracts can play in an NBA career
• Why being talented enough for the NBA does not always guarantee an NBA roster spot

After his NBA opportunities began to disappear, Nick's career moved overseas.

Europe brought another series of challenges. He dealt with difficult team situations, uncertainty, injuries, and eventually discovered that his ankle contained 16 bone chips and two bone spurs.

Surgery was supposed to fix the problem.

Instead, complications contributed to a long and frustrating recovery that left Nick wondering whether his professional basketball career might be finished before he was 30 years old.

Then a message on Facebook changed everything.

Nick received an opportunity to play in the Philippines. He arrived still dealing with the effects of his ankle problems and then scored 55 points in his first game.

His career had life again.

That opportunity eventually led Nick to Japan, where his basketball story became even more remarkable.

Nick spent 12 years with the same organization in Japan, had his jersey retired, embraced the culture, learned the language, became a Japanese citizen, and eventually represented the Japanese national basketball team.

He also played alongside a young Rui Hachimura, who was still at Gonzaga at the time.

In Nick's first game with the Japanese national team, Japan faced an Australian team featuring NBA talent including Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker. Nick remembers producing roughly 28 points and 14 rebounds as Japan defeated Australia in what he describes as "far and away the biggest win in Japanese basketball history."

The run continued.

Japan went on the road to face Chinese Taipei with its FIBA World Cup hopes on the line. Nick remembers another dominant performance as Japan won, continued its qualifying run, and eventually reached the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Nick also discusses watching basketball transform in Japan from a sport that often drew small crowds into a rapidly growing professional and international basketball culture.

Ultimately, this episode is about much more than basketball.

It is about resilience.

Nick's career did not follow a straight line. He nearly quit in college. His NBA opportunity disappeared. His body nearly forced him to retire. Europe did not become the destination he expected.

And yet one unexpected opportunity eventually helped create a basketball career and life that he never could have predicted.

Whether you are a basketball player, coach, parent, Nevada Wolf Pack fan, NBA fan, international basketball fan, or someone navigating adversity in your own life, Nick Fazekas' story is a reminder to keep working, stay ready, and remain open to where the journey may take you.

ABOUT THE GAMETIME GURU

The Gametime Guru Podcast, hosted by Shane Larson, delivers a panoramic view on sports through conversations with athletes, coaches, executives, entrepreneurs, trainers, and influential sports figures from around the world.

Watch and Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegametimeguru

Visit The Gametime Guru: https://thegametimeguru.com/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify: Spotify

SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS

Grit Sticks by Cross O Meats Premium meat sticks made with 100% American-raised beef. Use promo code GTG10 at checkout. Shop Grit Sticks

Fascia Sticks A precision recovery tool designed to help athletes and active individuals target smaller, hard-to-reach areas. Use promo code GAMETIME15. Shop Fascia Sticks

Disclosure: The Fascia Sticks link/code is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Timberline Growth Co. Digital marketing, AI automation, paid advertising, SEO, and growth strategy for businesses looking to generate more leads and sales. https://timberlinegrowthco.com/

Special Thanks: Nations Best Football https://nationsbestfootball.com/ Summit Legal Consulting

FOLLOW THE GAMETIME GURU

Instagram: @gametimeguru TikTok: @thegametimeguru Facebook: The Gametime Guru X: @thegametimeguru LinkedIn: Shane Larson YouTube: The Gametime Guru

Follow, subscribe, and share this episode with a basketball player, coach, Nevada fan, or international basketball fan who needs to hear Nick Fazekas' story.

**Major apologies for the echo throughout the episode**

In this episode, we welcome Leila Entezam, LMFT, MBA, a Neuro-Emotional Performance Coach and author of the upcoming book Inner Game. Leila is a thought leader in neuro-emotional intelligence (NEI), merging insights from neuroscience, psychology, and peak performance to empower high achievers.

With nearly two decades of experience working with elite performers—including CEOs of multi-million dollar organizations, professional athletes, and celebrities—Leila has developed a unique approach that integrates her groundbreaking SET-UP model for optimized decision-making into her coaching and keynote presentations.

In our conversation, we discuss:

✅ Identifying and Eliminating Performance Blind Spots ✅ Enhancing Emotional Regulation Under Pressure ✅ Gaining a Measurable Competitive Edge

Leila's expertise lies in the strategic leveraging of emotions, brain function, and behavior, empowering high performers to maximize their influence and impact. She has been a featured speaker at prestigious events including top universities, global conferences, the Entrepreneurs' Organization, and Model United Nations.

Leila is also the author of The Heart of Peak Performance: Emotional Mastery for High-Performing Men.

📢 Check out more of Leila's work at https://www.workwithleila.com/

With engaging conversations that highlight the mindset of elite competitors, The Gametime Guru isn't just about the stats and scores—it's about the journey. Subscribe today and get ready to elevate your sports knowledge with compelling storytelling and expert analysis!