RU STRONG

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we share the stories of athletes who have overcome challenges, achieved greatness, and are now making an impact far beyond the game. Today's guest is someone who truly defines what it means to live with relentless pursuit. Gary Reasons grew up in Texas and earned a football scholarship to Northwestern State University, where he became a three-time F...

Today's guest is someone whose journey proves that being overlooked doesn't determine your future. Scott Schebler went from receiving very little recruiting attention out of high school in Iowa to playing one season of junior college baseball before being selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 26th round of the MLB Draft. Most people would have seen the odds against him. Scott saw an o...

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. Today, I’m excited to bring you the story of an athlete whose journey embodies everything this show stands for, resilience, perseverance, discipline, and the courage to pursue a dream when others doubt it can be done. My guest is Wendy Boglioli, an Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Hall of Famer, former American record holder,...

Welcome to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. Today, I have a guest whose story is a powerful example of what can happen when preparation meets opportunity. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Jack Betts developed a passion for football at an early age. While many athletes dream of playing Division I football, Jack chose a different path, traveling nearly 1,800 miles from home to attend Amherst Co...

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. I'm your host, Jeff Durr, and today I’m excited to be joined by former Don Bosco Prep standout, college quarterback, NFL veteran, media personality, coach, and entrepreneur, Matt Simms. Growing up in Northern New Jersey as the son of New York Giants legend and Super Bowl champion Phil Simms, Matt was surrounded by football from an early...

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today I’m excited to welcome former Rutgers University softball player, athlete leader, and rising star in collegiate athletic development, Kayla Bock. Kayla’s story is all about leadership, resilience, identity, and finding purpose beyond the game. Growing up in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Kayla was a two-sport...

Former University of Michigan football player and former NFL athlete Joel Honigford joins me on this episode of the RU Strong Podcast for a powerful conversation about leadership, mental toughness, adversity, discipline, and the mindset required to compete at the highest levels of college football and the NFL. Joel shares his incredible journey from a small-town Ohio athlete growing up in Amish co...

Today’s guest is Dave Emeott, Co-Athletic Director and legendary Head Track & Field Coach at East Kentwood High School in Michigan. Since taking over the program in 1998, Dave has built one of the most dominant high school track programs in America, winning 8 State Championships, a National Championship, and developing countless collegiate athletes and leaders along the way. But this episode i...

🏈 The RU Strong Podcast Episode with BJ Daniels is NOW LIVE! 🎙️🔥 From growing up in a dorm room on Florida State’s campus dreaming of one day playing college football to becoming a four-year starting quarterback at University of South Florida to competing in three Super Bowls and winning a championship in the NFL. BJ Daniels’ journey is filled with resilience, pressure, adversity, leadership, an...

🎙️ New Episode of the RU Strong Podcast! I had an awesome conversation with Steph Grady, former television news anchor, internationally competitive figure skater, founder of The NIL School, and CEO of Influential Athlete, one of the leading NIL education companies focused on helping female athletes build confidence, personal brands, and opportunities beyond sports. Steph shared her incredible jour...

🎙️ I’m excited to share another powerful episode of the RU Strong Podcast featuring former college indoor and beach volleyball player, sports psychology professional, therapist, and founder of the Hanging Up The Jersey Podcast, Caitlin Broadwell. Caitlin’s story is one that so many athletes will connect with. From being a highly recruited volleyball player to battling Graves’ Disease at just 14 ye...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a true competitor, leader, and mindset expert Raymont Harris. From starring at Ohio State Buckeyes football, where he was an All-Big Ten selection, Team MVP, and one of the program’s all-time leading rushers, to competing in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots, Raymont’s journey is built on resilience...

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast – Featuring Aanya Trivedi On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with an incredibly inspiring young leader, Aanya Trivedi and trust me, this is one you don’t want to miss. At just 17 years old, Aanya is already redefining what it means to be driven, resilient, and purpose-driven. A junior at a top academic magnet school, a competitive track athlete with over 100...

This is one of those episodes that truly defines what RU Strong is all about resilience, discipline, and doing things the right way when no one is watching. Today’s guest, Dean Caravela, is a name that represents excellence, both on and off the mat. A standout wrestler out of Caldwell High School, Dean was a four-year varsity athlete, two-time New Jersey state medalist, and an All-State performer,...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most impactful voices in college athletics today, Tobruk “TB” Blaine. From her early days as a multi-sport athlete and collegiate cheerleader to becoming a championship-winning coach and now the Director of Player Development at the University of Arizona, TB has built her career on resilience, grit, and an unwavering commitment t...

🔥 Just Dropped: RU Strong Podcast with Larry Long Jr. 🔥 Get ready for one of the most electrifying, high-energy episodes we’ve ever had on the RU Strong Podcast. This week, I sit down with Larry Long Jr. a former University of Maryland baseball standout turned “Chief Energy Officer” who is now impacting lives across the globe through speaking, leadership, and service. From the very first minute,...

This is a MUST LISTEN episode. I had the opportunity to sit down with former USC & Pitt quarterback, Max Browne a two-time team captain, former #1 QB recruit in the country,ESPN college football analyst, and host of The Max Browne Show . And I’ll tell you, this one goes way deeper than football. Max opens up about: 🔥 The pressure of being the top recruit in the nation 🧠 The mental grind of c...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I’m excited to welcome a fellow South Jersey native whose journey through the game of basketball has taken him from local courts to the global stage, Kevin Owens. Kevin was a standout at Monmouth University, where he was a four-year starter, team captain, and part of a team that made a run to the NCAA Tournament. After earning both his bachelor’s and maste...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with one of the most respected minds in collegiate rowing and athlete development, Nancy LaRocque Pederson. Nancy’s journey is anything but conventional. A former rower at UMass Amherst who didn’t even pick up the sport until college, turned a late start into a lifelong passion that shaped an elite coaching career. From her early days at Vassar...

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where I spotlight the mindset, mission, and momentum behind athletes and leaders who turn adversity into strength. Today’s episode features a true embodiment of resilience, discipline, and purpose, Roosevelt Boone. A native of Washington, D.C., Roosevelt’s journey is one defined by grit and growth. As a four-time letter winner and scholar-athlete at the Unive...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a coach who has spent over two decades in the trenches of athletic performance, developing athletes, building systems, and shaping mindsets that extend far beyond the court. Missy Mitchell McBeth brings a powerful blend of experience and perspective. From her days as a collegiate volleyball player to earning her Master’s in Exercise Physiol...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a rising voice in the world of sports media, Nick Kosko. A true Jersey product and proud Rutgers alum, Nick’s journey is a powerful example of passion, persistence, and carving your own lane. From his days competing on the Rutgers club wrestling team to becoming the play-by-play voice of Rutgers Wrestling, Nick has built a standout career i...

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast, where we share powerful stories from athletes who have pushed themselves to the highest levels of competition while navigating the challenges that come with elite performance. Today’s guest is Emma Misal, an outstanding soccer player whose journey is a true example of resilience, sacrifice, and perseverance. Emma grew up in Mechanicsburg, P...

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, host Jeff Durr welcomes an extraordinary guest whose story is the definition of resilience and strength, Lauren Sisler. Lauren is a Rutgers University graduate and former Scarlet Knights gymnast, where she was a four-time letter winner and team captain. After graduating, she went on to build an incredible career in sports media as an Emmy Award-winning spo...

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast Intro – Scott Roussell Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast, where we bring you powerful stories of resilience, identity, and life after the game. Today’s guest is Scott Roussell, a former Division I soccer player from one of the most dominant programs in college soccer history, the University of Virginia. During his time there, Virginia was a powerhouse, w...