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PODCAST

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

The Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

Welcome to "The Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal" where we delve into the world of college and youth wrestling. Join Mike, the head coach of Poway RTC, as he sits down with guests from all levels of the sport, including high school, club, college, and senior-level coaches and athletes. Each week, Mike will bring you insightful discussions on the latest in college and youth wrestling, including training techniques, strategy, and everything in between. You"ll hear from some of the biggest names in the

sports wrestling

All Episodes

01:02:20

Ep. 132 - Kenny Monday

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/08/20

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Kenny Monday, Head Coach at Morgan State University. Monday shares his coaching journey, the challenges and opportunities of building the Morgan State program, and what it takes to develop athletes both on and off the mat.We also dive into culture, recruiting, and the vision for wrestling at Morgan State as they continue to grow the program and compete at the highest level.

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00:48:01

Ep. 131 - Drew Headlee

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/08/13

Pitt Associate Coach Drew Headlee joins the show to talk about his journey from standout competitor to leading one of the nation’s top wrestling programs. He shares insights on developing athletes, building trust, and adapting to the constantly evolving college wrestling landscape.We dive into topics like recruiting philosophies, training adjustments, and what it takes to prepare wrestlers for success at the highest level. Drew also reflects on his own competitive career and the lessons that

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01:01:14

Ep. 130 - Nick Brascetta

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/08/06

On Episode 130 of the Athletor Podcast, we’re joined by Nick Brascetta, Associate Head Coach at the University of Maryland. Brascetta dives into the evolving responsibilities of an associate head coach, how the role shifts from program to program, and what leadership looks like at the Power Five level.We also cover Maryland’s developmental strategy, building buy-in from athletes, and how Brascetta balances recruiting, coaching, and culture-building. If you're looking for insights into what it

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01:02:32

Ep. 129 - Kyle Ruschell

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/07/30

In Episode 129 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Ruschell, Head Coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Kyle shares his journey from a standout athlete in Kentucky to leading a D1 program in the heart of the South. He talks about the lessons he’s taken from his time at Wisconsin, how he’s building a strong culture at UTC, and what it takes to recruit and develop talent in a non-traditional wrestling region.We also get into the importance of authenticity in coaching, the

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00:52:52

Ep. 128 - Kellen Russell

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/07/23

Episode #128 of the Athletor Podcast features Kellen Russell, Associate Head Coach at Cornell University. Kellen sits down with Mike Mal to talk through his coaching journey, what it’s like leading one of the top wrestling programs in the country, and how the evolving NCAA landscape is affecting the sport. From navigating recruiting challenges to building culture in a high-performance room, Kellen shares valuable insight into what makes a championship-level program thrive.They also dig into the

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01:02:22

Ep. 127 - Jordan Oliver

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/07/16

On this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we're joined by two-time NCAA Champion Jordan Oliver, a name that’s echoed across wrestling’s Mount Rushmore conversations. Jordan dives deep into his journey through collegiate and freestyle wrestling, reflecting on the mindset, struggles, and breakthroughs that defined his legendary career. From being immortalized by peers like Mario Mason to discussing what separates the greats from the elite, this conversation is as real and raw as the sport

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00:57:49

Ep. 126 - Luke Becker

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/07/10

In episode 126 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Luke Becker, Head Assistant Coach at the University of Minnesota. Becker shares what life looks like during the off-season, including how he balances recruiting, summer training, and catching a few waves behind a boat. From Big Ten battles to bonding with athletes, Becker opens up about his coaching philosophy and the Gophers’ mindset heading into the season.We also dive into his thoughts on building relationships with athletes, staying

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00:57:49

Ep. 126 - Luke Becker

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/07/09

In episode 126 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Luke Becker, Head Assistant Coach at the University of Minnesota. Becker shares what life looks like during the off-season, including how he balances recruiting, summer training, and catching a few waves behind a boat. From Big Ten battles to bonding with athletes, Becker opens up about his coaching philosophy and the Gophers’ mindset heading into the season.We also dive into his thoughts on building relationships with athletes, staying

en

01:01:02

Ep. 125 - Ned Shuck

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/07/02

Bellarmine Head Coach Ned Shuck joins the Athletor Podcast to talk about the challenges and mindset behind building a Division I program from the ground up. From leaving West Point to leading Bellarmine’s young squad, Shuck shares what it’s like to build a culture, navigate NCAA wrestling’s evolving landscape, and fight for relevance in a resource-limited environment.We also dig into what motivates him, how he’s developed leadership from day one, and why creating belief and identity in a new team

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01:02:10

Ep. 124- Zach Tanelli

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/06/25

Episode 124 of the Athletor Podcast features Zach Tanelli, Associate Head Coach at Virginia Tech. In this conversation, Zach reflects on his transition from head coach at an Ivy League school to joining the Hokies program, and why that move made perfect sense inside the wrestling world. He opens up about his mindset, growth as a coach, and how family, culture, and competitive alignment all played a role.We also get into how high-level decisions shape a career, what young athletes should look for in

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00:53:00

Ep. 123 - Mario Mason

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/06/18

In Episode 123 of the Athletor Podcast, Mike Mal sits down with Mario Mason—former wrestling standout and founder of Shot Docs. From dominating on the mat at Fargo to carving out a business in the media space, Mario shares how he transitioned from athlete to entrepreneur. They dive into the lessons wrestling taught him about resilience, branding, and building something that lasts beyond competition.Whether you're an athlete thinking about life after sports or a creative looking to find your

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00:53:30

Ep. 122 - Jon Sioredas

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/06/11

In episode 122 of the Athletor Podcast, Cal Poly Head Coach Joe Sioredas returns to talk about the current landscape of NCAA wrestling and what it takes to survive in it. Joe breaks down how the same powerhouse programs still dominate, but the rules of engagement have shifted. From NIL to transfer culture, he shares why “you adapt or you die” isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s the reality of staying competitive.Joe also dives into the emotional toll of developing overlooked athletes into All-Americans,

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01:06:04

Ep. 121 - Chuck Kearney

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/06/04

In episode 121 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Chuck Kearney, Head Coach at the University of Saint Mary, to explore the evolution of wrestling through his unique lens—from his roots in Pendleton, Oregon, to building programs at the NAIA level. Chuck reflects on his time at Oregon State, where the structure of practice was almost academic in its discipline, and contrasts that with the flexibility and challenges of coaching in today’s collegiate landscape.We dig into the growing concerns

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01:01:09

Ep. 120 - Bryan Snyder

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/05/28

In Episode 120 of the Athletor Podcast, Nebraska Associate Head Coach Bryan Snyder joins us to break down how the Huskers are navigating NIL, the transfer portal, and athlete development on their own terms. From building a system that rewards growth to defining what “the right guy” really looks like, Bryan gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Nebraska is setting a new standard.We talk about what makes a recruit stand out, the structure behind individual athlete plans, and why rest might be one of

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01:05:14

Ep. 119 - Greg Warren

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/05/21

On episode 118 of the Athletor Podcast, comedian and former wrestler Greg Warren joins Mike Mal to break down the surprising connection between wrestling and stand-up comedy. Greg shares how the discipline and repetition of learning a wrestling move—like the cheap tilt—mirrors the process of building a joke from scratch. He also talks about how his new comedy special The Champ came together over two years, how he digs into old material to spark new ideas, and why he still trusts the early

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00:51:03

Ep. 118 - Parker Kecksisen

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/05/13

Parker Keckeisen joins the Athletor Podcast fresh off the US Open to talk about what it’s like competing against the best in the world. He breaks down key moments from his match with Kyle Dake, explains why he prefers the pace of the US Open over the NCAA Tournament, and reflects on how loyalty and values shaped his decision to stay at UNI despite big NIL offers.We also dive into the current state of NCAA wrestling, NIL's impact, and the challenges of staying grounded in a system that’s rapidly

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01:12:55

Ep. 117 - Brian Smith

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/05/07

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00:52:56

Ep. 116 - Tony Ramos

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/04/30

In Episode 116 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with UNC Associate Head Coach Tony Ramos—a 3x U.S. Open Champion and 2x World Team Member—to talk about what growth looks like off the mat. From running the business side of a college wrestling program to securing major donors and building strong alumni networks, Tony breaks down how coaching today involves way more than just practice plans.We also dig into the evolving NCAA landscape, including roster cap changes, revenue sharing, and the

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00:57:06

Ep. 115 - Kendrick Maple

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/04/23

On Episode 115 of the Athletor Podcast, we’re joined by Missouri assistant coach Kendrick Maple to talk about the state of college wrestling in the NIL and portal era. Maple opens up about the realities of re-recruiting your own athletes each year, why seeing Keegan O’Toole stay at Mizzou meant a lot to the team, and how the transfer landscape has become the wild west—with big money chasing unproven talent.We also dive into how Mizzou develops athletes mentally and physically, the structure behind

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01:00:47

Ep. 114 - Adam Fellers

Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal ·

2025/04/16

In Episode 114 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Adam Fellers—a wrestling coach and finance expert—to talk about the intersection of business and wrestling. Adam breaks down why so many coaches lack the business acumen needed to grow and sustain successful programs, and why waiting for outside help isn’t a winning strategy. We also analyze key financial metrics, like fundraising and staff investment, and how they correlate with on-the-mat success at the Division I level.Beyond the numbers,

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153 results

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