RU STRONG

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast – Featuring Matthew Downing On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we sit down with one of the most resilient quarterbacks in college football, a man whose journey defines what it truly means to bet on yourself. From the state of Georgia to becoming a 4.06 GPA scholar-athlete and two-time team captain, Matthew’s story is about far more than football. He began as a preferred...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we welcome an extraordinary former Rutgers student-athlete whose story goes far beyond the water. Our guest is Rachel Maeng, former Rutgers Women’s Varsity Rowing coxswain, student leader, entrepreneur, and fearless advocate. While competing at the Division I level in the inaugural Big Ten era, Rachel wasn’t just steering an eight-person boat, she was lead...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast! Today’s guest is the definition of global grit, discipline, and belief. All the way from England, this young man crossed the Atlantic to chase two dreams at once, elite soccer and elite academics. Danny Lokko. A product of the English academy system, discovered at just six years old by Everton, trained in the professional ranks, and faced with an 18-year-old...

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. Today, we’re joined by a New Jersey homegrown legend, Ned Bolcar. Out of Phillipsburg High School, Ned was a USA Today High School All-American, the 1985 National High School Player of the Year, and one of the most heavily recruited athletes in the country He took his talents to the University of Notre Dame, where he became: 🏆 A National C...

Today on the RU Strong Podcast, we welcome an incredible guest whose journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and betting on yourself, Eli Fisher. Eli’s story begins at Wagner College, where he carved out an outstanding lacrosse career as a First Team All-MAAC selection, two-time team captain, and member of the SAC Executive Board. Being voted captain once is rare, being voted twice tel...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we share powerful stories of resilience, identity, and life after the game. Today’s guest is someone whose journey will stop you in your tracks. She’s a former #1 player in the country, recruited to two powerhouse programs, Duke University and University of Connecticut, and coached by legendary figures like Geno Auriemma. But this story isn’t just about...

🎙 RU STRONG PODCAST Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast! Today, we’ve got another Rutgers warrior joining us, a guy who helped build Rutgers Football during one of its most electric eras. From 2005 to 2008, when Rutgers was climbing into the Top 10 in the country. Team Captain in 2008, selected by his coaches and teammates. Winner of the Iron Knight Award for strength, speed, and performance. Re...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we explore the mindset, resilience, and real stories behind elite performers on the field and in life. Today’s episode is one I’ve been fired up about. Our guest is JJ Birden, a former NFL wide receiver who played nine seasons in the league, at a time when the average career was less than three years. A two-sport athlete at the University of Oregon, JJ...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today’s episode is a powerful one, especially for anyone who’s ever competed at a high level, battled injury, questioned their identity, or wondered what life looks like after the uniform comes off. I’m excited to welcome Kaitlyn Hall, a former Rutgers University gymnast whose journey is filled with resilience, perspective, and grit. Kaitlyn grew up in Raytow...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today’s guest is a true Jersey original, born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, who carved out one of the most iconic moments in Super Bowl history, but whose story goes far beyond one unforgettable play. He starred at Syracuse University, ranking among the program’s all-time leaders in receiving yards, blocking an incredible six punts, an achievement few...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today’s episode is deeply personal. I’m joined by one of my former teammates, brothers, and lifelong friends from the University of Maine football program — a man whose life story defines resilience, faith, and the true meaning of strength. From battling through brutal preseason camps in Orono… to serving our country as a United States Marine… to playing prof...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today’s episode is one of the most powerful, emotional, and inspiring conversations we’ve ever shared. My guest is Anthony Pecorella a Division I football player, scholar, leader, and true embodiment of resilience. Anthony’s journey has taken him from competing on the biggest stages in college football to facing a battle far greater than anything he ever enco...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today’s episode features an outstanding example of what it truly means to be a student-athlete. Joining us from Ames, Iowa is Tyler Claiborne, a wide receiver for the Iowa State Cyclones who represents excellence on and off the field. Tyler isn’t just competing at the highest level of college football in the Big 12, he’s also setting the standard academically...

🎙️ RU STRONG PODCAST – EPISODE INTRO Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today’s episode is special because I’m joined by another Rutgers Scarlet Knight who truly embodies what it means to be RU Strong. My guest is John Poznanski, a standout wrestler from Colonia, New Jersey, whose journey is defined by discipline, resilience, and an unshakable mindset. John put together one of the most impress...

🎙️ RU STRONG PODCAST INTRODUCTION – MJ WRIGHT Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we sit down with athletes who embody resilience, discipline, and the mindset to win both on and off the field. Today’s guest is a powerful example of what it means to bet on yourself. MJ Wright is a New Jersey native out of Freehold, a product of Red Bank Catholic High School, and a standout wide receiver at...

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast | Episode Spotlight On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we sit down with Steve McGuiggan, a former Division I standout, culture builder, and co-founder of one of the most impactful human performance organizations in the country. Steve’s journey is a masterclass in grit, self-belief, and responsibility. From becoming one of the most decorated players in UIC baseball histo...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we go beyond the highlights and into the moments that truly shape an athlete’s life. In this episode, host Jeff Durr sits down with Brandon Hance, a former Big Ten starting quarterback whose journey is filled with pressure, perspective, and powerful self-reflection. Brandon opens up about: • Graduating high school, a year early to chase his dream • Star...

RU STRONG PODCAST | NEW EPISODE On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with an exceptional leader who truly understands the connection between physical performance, mental resilience, and elite leadership: Jamey Mroz. Jamey’s journey is powerful and unconventional. From playing linebacker at Springfield College, to earning degrees in kinesiology, exercise science, and sports psycholo...

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast – Featuring Dom Clegg On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast , I sit down with Dom Clegg , a former college football player turned elite mental performance and leadership coach , whose journey is built on resilience, mindset shifts, and relentless growth. Dom played college football at Ohio Dominican University , where he began his career as a walk-on , earned a scholarship...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast , where we highlight leaders who embody resilience, excellence, and service through sport. Today’s guest is someone whose journey in swimming is nothing short of extraordinary, Katie Robinson . Katie’s story begins as an elite student-athlete at the University of Texas , one of the premier powerhouses in college swimming. As a Longhorn, she was an 11-time All-...

Today on the RU Strong Podcast, I’m honored to welcome one of the most respected leaders in college baseball, Rick Heller , Head Baseball Coach at the University of Iowa . Coach Heller’s career is a masterclass in patience, persistence, and culture-driven leadership . He began his coaching journey at Upper Iowa University , where he built a winning program from the ground up, then continued that s...

Today on the RU Strong Podcast, we’re bringing you an incredible story of perseverance, discipline, and unwavering belief. Our guest is someone whose journey from Middlesex, New Jersey to the bright lights of Division I football is nothing short of inspiring. Jordan Campbell isn’t just a standout defensive end at Rice University; he’s the definition of resilience. Coming out ofMiddlesex High Schoo...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today, we’re joined by an exceptional coach and leader shaping some of the most disciplined student-athletes in the nation, Coach Jimmy Criscione of the United States Naval Academy . Jimmy is a summa cum laude graduate of Monmouth University , a former team captain, and a three-time MAAC All-Academic selection. Before that, he competed at powerhouse Bergen Ca...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today we’re spotlighting a young man whose journey through athletics, adversity, leadership, and personal growth is nothing short of inspiring. Our guest, Antonio Boone , is someone who not only competed as a college athlete but chose to devote his professional life to helping other student-athletes thrive in ways he never knew h...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today’s guest is a true embodiment of grit, discipline, and heart both on and off the mat. Nick Gravina is a four-time NCAA National Qualifier , a two-time Big Ten placer , a Round of 12 finisher , and the first five-time All-Academic Big Ten honoree in Rutgers wrestling history. With 77 career wins , Nick carved out one of the most respected careers in the R...