Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

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...

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 discussi...

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 headin...

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 headin...

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 motivat...

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...

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 competitio...

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 co...

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 fl...

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...

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 t...

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 stat...

-

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 a...

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 unprov...

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...

In Episode 113 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Grant Leeth, head club wrestling coach at Tarleton State NCWA and founder of Heilung Shoes, to talk about what it takes to build a college wrestling program from scratch. When Grant arrived in Texas in late 2023, there was no wrestling room, no athletes, and no alumni base—just a vision. He walks us through the challenges of getting administ...

In episode 112 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Joe Russell, Assistant Coach for USA Wrestling, to discuss the evolving landscape of wrestling, from grassroots to international success. Joe shares his thoughts on the importance of RTCs, how USA Wrestling is adapting to the impact of NIL, and what the future of the sport might look like. He also dives into coaching strategies, working with...

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we chat with Vito Arujau, a 1x World Champion and 2x NCAA Champion, about his journey to success in wrestling. Vito shares his experience growing up in New York after immigrating from Belarus, his early struggles with motivation, and how his mindset shifted as he took ownership of his wrestling development. We also discuss his relationship with Yianni Diako...

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Mark Muñoz, Associate Head Coach at Cal Baptist University, as he shares his journey from wrestling to MMA. We discuss his time at Oklahoma State and the surprising connection between California wrestling and Stillwater, Oklahoma. Mark opens up about his transition from wrestling to UFC, recounting a pivotal moment when he was thrown into a...

In episode 109 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Dave Bell, Head Coach at a public school wrestling program, to discuss his journey from coaching at Bergen Catholic to taking over a public school program. Dave shares his insights on building a championship-caliber team, managing resources, and how he navigated the transition from a private school to a public one. We dive into the importanc...

In episode #108 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Gabe Arnold, a standout wrestler with a unique journey. Gabe shares the story of how he first stepped onto the mats at just five years old, following in his brother’s footsteps, and how he got hooked on wrestling despite early struggles. We dive into his high school career, discussing his time at Wyoming Seminary, the transition to living a...

In episode 107 of the Athletor Podcast, host Mike Malinconico sits down with Keith Gavin, the head coach of Pitt Wrestling, to discuss his approach to building a wrestling program from the ground up. They dive into recruiting strategies, the culture at Pitt, and how NIL is constantly changing the landscape of college sports. Keith also shares how he prepares his athletes for success, offering a un...

In episode 106 of the Athletor Podcast, host Mike Malinconico chats with Tim Flynn, head coach at West Virginia University, about the state of the Mountaineers' wrestling program. Flynn shares insights on their recruiting strategies, including how they identify wrestlers with "Mountaineer potential," and reflects on his past experience at Edinboro. They dive into the challenges and opportunities f...

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Trent Hidlay of NC State Wrestling to explore his journey from collegiate wrestling to his current aspirations in the sport. Trent discusses the challenges of NCAA wrestling, including NIL and roster limits, and shares insights on the current state of the sport. We also dive into his training regimen as he gears up for the 2028 Olympics and...