Destination Talk

Everybody celebrates the wins. Very few talk about the pressure, doubt, and internal battles athletes carry long before the spotlight ever hits them. Episode 55 of Destination Talk features Jaivon Jones from Arkansas-Little Rock as he opens up about the mental side of competing, the moments he questioned himself, the grind people never see, and what it felt like finishing his collegiate wrestling...

What does “Be The Standard” actually look like when you’re responsible for an entire football program? On Episode 54 of Destination Talk, Zach Watkins, head football coach at Washburn University, breaks down the pressure that comes with leadership, the expectations attached to the position, and why culture collapses the moment standards become optional. Coach Watkins opens up about: Earning an opp...

He walked into Division 1 wrestling believing he was prepared. Then reality hit. On Episode 53 of Destination Talk, Julian Farber takes listeners inside the moments most athletes never talk about publicly—the pressure, the doubt, the identity shifts, and the mental battles that come with competing inside the University of Northern Iowa wrestling program room. This isn’t a highlight reel conversati...

What happens when the thing that gives you purpose also becomes the thing that tests you the most? In Episode 52 of Destination Talk , Pete Terrezza opens up about the pressure, sacrifice, and identity shifts that come with competing at Duke University while trying to grow through one of the toughest sports in the world. Pete shares stories about the moments that shaped him, the setbacks that forc...

He went 168-0 in high school… So what happens when you finally lose? Episode 51 of Destination Talk brings you inside the mindset of Dominick Serrano, former Division I wrestler at Northern Colorado, as he opens up about the reality behind dominance, adversity, and what it truly takes to compete at the highest level. From an undefeated high school career with 122 pins to facing the toughest compet...

He tore his ACL. Stayed public. Became a 3x All-American. Most athletes think they know what it takes to reach the top… this conversation exposes the truth. Episode 50 of Destination Talk is a milestone—and this one sets a new standard. CJ Composto takes us inside the reality of becoming and staying elite at the Division 1 level. From the moment everything stopped with a torn ACL, to building hims...

Join us on this episode of Destination Talk with Dan Hilt , a standout wrestler from Manalapan High School and Rutgers University , now a celebrated coach at Arthur L. Johnson High School and the Yale Street Wrestling Club . Recently named Region 4 Assistant Coach of the Year , Dan shares his journey from the mat to the sidelines, revealing the lessons that shaped his wrestling career, the mindset...

What does it really take to develop elite athletes — and are today’s systems actually helping… or hurting them? In this episode of Destination Talk , we sit down with Austin Culp , founder of Culprit Athletics, to dive deep into the world of athlete development, coaching philosophy, and building something that lasts. Austin shares his journey from starting a facility from the ground up to creating...

What does it really take to become a professional athlete in a sport that’s still growing? In this episode of Destination Talk, we sit down with Luke Barry — a Westfield, New Jersey native, James Madison University graduate, and now a professional athlete with the New York Empire. Luke takes us through his journey from playing sports growing up in New Jersey to discovering Ultimate Frisbee, develo...

Every coach has a story. Before Brianna Hendricks was guiding athletes at The Academy in Garwood, she was a kid in Colonia, New Jersey chasing a ball, learning hard lessons about confidence, setbacks, and what it really means to compete. In this episode of Destination Talk, Brianna opens up about her path from Colonia High School soccer player to sports performance coach, and how the challenges sh...

What does real athletic development actually look like? In this episode of Destination Talk, we sit down with Chad Coy, master coach at Parisi Speed School and former strongman competitor. Chad brings a powerful perspective from both sides of the industry — as an athlete who has pushed his own limits and as a coach responsible for building long-term success in others. We dive into his journey thro...

What does it really take to become a Division I football player? In this episode of Destination Talk, we sit down with Sacred Heart University athlete Gianni Principato to unpack the journey from youth sports to competing at the highest level of college athletics. Gianni shares how he got started, the mentors who shaped him, and the moment he realized football could become more than just a game. W...

Episode 43 is LIVE In this episode of Destination Talk, we sit down with Hope Fedun to talk about identity, growth, and learning when it’s time to pivot. Hope shares her journey through athletics, including her background in gymnastics, and how those early lessons in discipline, structure, and mental toughness carried into other areas of her life. We also dive into her creative side and her passio...

Join Destination Talk co-host John Poznanski, NCAA All-American wrestler, judo & jiu-jitsu athlete, and cancer survivor, as he shares his journey on the mat, overcoming adversity, and life beyond wrestling. Inspiration, resilience, and lessons for athletes and fans alike!

Episode 41 is a little different. In this episode of Destination Talk, co-host Harry Ambrosino steps into the guest seat on his own podcast to share his story, perspective, and the journey behind both the microphone and the business. Harry dives into his coaching philosophy, why he chose to become a sports performance coach, and the experiences that shaped his approach to athlete development. He a...

Join us on Destination Talk with Chris Shearn, YES Network host covering the Yankees, Nets & WNBA! Hear his journey, career highlights, podcasting experience, and top tips for anyone breaking into sports media. #ChrisShearn #YESNetwork #SportsMedia #WNBA #Yankees #Nets

Welcome back to Destination Talk, where we highlight athletes, coaches, and leaders who shape the culture of sport and mindset. In Episode 39, we sit down with Shane Mallory — NCAA Division II National Finalist, All-American wrestler at East Stroudsburg University, standout from New Providence High School, and current coach with Yale Street Wrestling Club. Shane breaks down his journey from New Je...

In Episode 38, we sit down with standout collegiate wide receiver and entrepreneur Jacari Carter. From his breakout seasons at Merrimack and UAlbany to launching Prolific Performance, Jacari shares his journey, mindset, and the lessons that shaped him on and off the field. In This Episode: Jacari’s football journey Breakthrough moments and challenges Transferring and adapting Building Prolific Per...

🎙️ Episode 37 | Katie Mathews – Let Them Compete, But Let Them Be Kids In this episode of Destination Talk, we sit down with Katie Mathews — founder of Basecamp For Life (@basecampforlife) and host of The Mother Drive — to unpack one of the biggest challenges in youth sports: how to let your child compete hard while still letting them be a kid. As a mom of a middle-school athlete, Katie shares her...

In this episode, we sit down with Donnie DeFilippis, founder of Yale Street Wrestling Club, former Division I wrestler at George Mason and Rutgers, and a passionate coach dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. Donnie shares his journey from his early days on the mat to founding Yale Street Wrestling Club, the role of parents in youth sports, and the importance of mental toughness...

Alejandro “Aldo” Santiago shares his football journey from Woodbridge, NJ to Bishop Ahr High School and St. Anselm College. We discuss his recruiting process, training, and life lessons from playing college football. Perfect for athletes, parents, and coaches looking for insight into football, recruiting, and athlete development.

In this episode, we sit down with Coach Dan Grasso, Head Wrestling Coach at Colonia High School. Coach Grasso shares his journey from athlete to coach, his philosophy on building a winning culture, and the impact of wrestling on shaping student-athletes both on and off the mat. We dive into: His path into coaching and building the Colonia program 🏆 The rise of girls wrestling and its place at Col...

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Nunez, Head Coach of the New York Empire of the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). Anthony has been part of the Ultimate scene since 1994, starting at Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ — the birthplace of Ultimate Frisbee. We dive into the origins of the sport, its rapid growth, and what still needs to be done to bring Ultimate into the mainstream. An...

In this episode of Destination Talk, we sit down with former Nebraska Track & Field athlete Michael Hoffer. From his standout days at Shawnee Heights High School to competing at the NCAA Division I level, Michael shares his journey through the recruiting process, the challenges of transitioning from high school to college competition, and the injury that tested his resilience both physically a...