Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

In Episode 054 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Cruse Aarhus, a dedicated coach at Immortal Athletes Wrestling Club and proud alumnus of the UNI Wrestling class of 2012. Cruse shares his unique journey in wrestling, from his early days on the mat to his current role as a full-time coach outside the traditional collegiate athletics environment. This conversation explores the passion and de...

In Episode 53 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Troy Nickerson, Head Coach at the University of Northern Colorado and former NCAA National Champion. With a decade of experience at UNC and insights from his time as an assistant coach under Kevin Jackson at Iowa State, Troy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. This episode delves deep into his journey over the past ten y...

In Episode 52 of the Athletor Podcast, we're excited to welcome Cliff Fretwell, a dynamic figure in the wrestling community. As the owner of Compound Wrestling and Compound Sportswear, Cliff is well-known for his entrepreneurial spirit, coaching prowess, and his relentless hustle in the world of wrestling. His insights are invaluable to anyone passionate about the sport, whether they're on...

In Episode 51 of the Athletor Podcast, we're joined by Becca Roper, the Museum Manager of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and a dedicated wrestling enthusiast. Becca shares her unique wrestling origin story, delving into her experiences of growing up in Georgia within a family deeply rooted in the sport. The episode takes an interesting turn as Becca discusses her involvement in recreation...

Episode 50 of the Athletor Podcast features an insightful conversation with Zack Esposito, whose impressive credentials include being a USA Wrestling Freestyle Developmental Coach and a former NCAA National Champion with three All-American titles. As a coach, Esposito has been instrumental in guiding wrestlers to a remarkable ten NCAA titles. In this episode, Zack delves into his ongoing journey o...

In Episode 49 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with the multifaceted Johnni DiJulius, a four-time NCAA qualifier with over 100 NCAA wins. Johnni's diverse background extends beyond the wrestling mat, as he's also an avid base jumper and skydiver. His coaching stints at Harvard and Kent State add to his rich profile in the wrestling community. This episode offers a deep dive into Johnni...

In Episode 48 of the Athletor Podcast, we are joined by Frank Molinaro, an Olympian, US Open Champion, NCAA National Champion, and two-time NCAA All-American, who currently serves as an assistant coach at Arizona State University (ASU). Frank brings a wealth of experience from both his competitive days and his coaching career. This episode delves into the contrasts between life on the West Coast c...

In Episode 47 of the Athletor Podcast, we're joined by the accomplished wrestler Jaydin Eierman, a 4X NCAA All American and 2021 US Open Champion, currently competing at 65kg for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. Jaydin delves into the unique expectations and challenges of wrestling in Iowa, explaining how the environment and culture there set it apart. He talks candidly about his method of 'bre...

In Episode 46 of the Athletor Podcast, we welcome freestyle All-American and four-time NCAA qualifier Taylor Lujan. With his insightful perspective as a 2018 Big12 Champion, Taylor dives deep into the world of collegiate wrestling. This episode sheds light on the intensity of 'hard, stupid workouts' and the psychological aspect of 'breaking' during practice. Taylor reflects on the...

In Episode 45 of the Athletor Podcast, we welcome Kevin Dresser, the esteemed head coach of Iowa State University and 2019 NWCA Coach of the Year. A former NCAA National Champion and two-time All-American, Dresser brings a wealth of experience and insight to the show. This episode delves into the philosophy of avoiding moral victories and the importance of taking ownership in the sport. Dresser sh...

In Episode 44 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Jody Strittmatter, the co-founder of Young Guns Wrestling Club and a highly respected figure in the wrestling community. Jody, a 4X All-American and 2X Big Ten Champion, brings an impressive coaching resume, having mentored athletes who have secured 5 world titles, 9 NCAA titles, and numerous state accolades. This episode dives into the origi...

In Episode 43 of the Athletor Podcast, we're joined by David McFadden, a distinguished wrestler with an impressive list of credentials including being a Resident Athlete at Pennsylvania RTC, a Volunteer Assistant at Drexel University, a US Open Champion, and a 3x NCAA All-American. In this engaging episode, David opens up about the intricate balance he maintains between coaching and competing...

In Episode 42 of the Athletor Podcast, we welcome Derek Moore, the head coach at Cal Baptist University and a celebrated figure in the wrestling world. As a former NCAA Division I standout and a California Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, Derek brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation. This episode delves into Derek's personal journey and how it led him to his current role...

In Episode 41 of the Athletor Podcast, we're joined by Pat Popolizio, the esteemed head coach at NC State and a celebrated figure in the wrestling community. Awarded the 2018 Dan Gable co-NCAA Coach of the Year, and recognized three times as the ACC Coach of the Year, Popolizio brings a wealth of experience and success to the table. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of dual meets...

In Episode 40 of the Athletor Podcast, we welcome renowned wrestling photographer Tony Rotundo. Tony's unique journey in the wrestling world has seen him transition from wrestler to coach, official, and finally, to a photographer whose work is celebrated widely. In this episode, he shares the pivotal moments that led him to photography, revealing why capturing wrestling through a lens brought...

On this episode of Athletor Podcast, we catch up with Gabe Dean, a wrestling powerhouse from Cornell, to chat about his life after hanging up his singlet. Gabe discusses leaving the world of college wrestling, where he's been both a successful wrestler and coach, and the tough parts of starting his own business. He believes that the skills and mental toughness from wrestling are huge helps in...

On the newest installment of the Athletor Podcast, we're joined by Kevin Ward, the esteemed head coach of Army, West Point's wrestling team. Navigating the unique challenges of coaching at such a prestigious institution, Kevin delves into the intricacies and advantages of West Point, shedding light on what makes it a unique place both athletically and academically. Recruiting is no ordinar...

In this fresh episode of the Athletor Podcast, we're joined by Zac Dominguez, the dynamic head coach of the MWC Wrestling Academy located in Papillion, Nebraska. As a key figure of a PNL club, Zac shares the intriguing backstory of how the Premier National League (PNL) was conceived and the journey of MWC becoming one of the elite eight founding members. Culture is the heart of any organizatio...

On the newest episode of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Obe Blanc, head coach at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Boasting a robust wrestling career as an NCAA All-American and a member of the USA World team, Obe brings a unique perspective to our chat. We delve deep into the synergies of NDSU's sports programs, discussing the ripple effect of having a successful football team on...

Join us on the latest episode of the Athletor Podcast with our special guest, Jared Lawrence. Not only is Jared an NCAA National Champion and a 4x All-American, but he's also the co-owner of the renowned Pinnacle Wrestling Club based out of Minneapolis. Dive into an engaging conversation where Jared gives us the lowdown on the Premier National League (PNL) - from its inception, its core missio...

In this riveting 34th episode of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Joey Ghione, the dynamic head coach steering the ship at the Silver State Wrestling Club based in Reno, Nevada. His journey, marked by gritty perseverance and a deep-rooted passion for wrestling, is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, we trace Joey's intricate backstory that saw him migrating from the heartlands o...

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast we have a special guest, 2x NCAA Champion and Jr. World Champion, Keegan O'Toole! Keegan, who’s joining us from his golf club, talks about his love for wrestling and how it started from a young age. He shares how his upbringing played a significant role in developing his passion for wrestling and offers some cool advice for kids who want to get into the...

In episode 32 of the Athletor Podcast, we are honored to host the luminary Jim Gibbons, a figure who has profoundly marked the wrestling world with his achievements both as an NCAA Champion wrestler and a coach. Now, as one of the most distinguished voices in broadcasting, he continues to cast a significant influence over the sport. In this enlightening conversation, we unpack the magic behind Jim...

In episode 31 of the Athletor Podcast, we journey through a myriad of topics that are shaping the present and future of wrestling. From an insider's glimpse into the current landscape of Virginia Tech Wrestling to the nuanced skills of recruiting and developing athletes, Jared pulls back the curtain, offering unparalleled insights. Recruits eager to catch his attention? Jared shares some golde...

In episode 30 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Matt Ciampa, the head coach of Eclipse Wrestling Club in New Jersey. Throughout our conversation, Matt's passion for wrestling and dedication to his athletes shines through, making for a fascinating discussion. We start by exploring Matt's personal background and the journey that led him to start Eclipse. He shares stories of high-lev...