Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

In episode 29 of the Athletor Podcast, we are joined by Lee Roper, the esteemed assistant coach at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). This enlightening conversation provides valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and wrestling enthusiasts alike. Lee takes us behind the scenes at UNI, discussing the strategies used to keep wrestling relevant at the school and how he and his team leverage the...

In episode 28 of the Athletor Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Eric Larkin, a 4x NCAA All-American, Hodge Trophy winner, and founder of Valiant College Preparatory, a fully accredited 6-12th grade independent school. The episode delves into the innovative approach of Valiant College Preparatory, which has creatively intertwined academics and wrestling. Eric gives us an inside look at the school...

In episode 27 of the Athletor Podcast, we are joined by Gene Zanetti, the Co-founder of Wrestling Mindset. This episode dives deep into the psychology of wrestling, highlighting the importance of mindset in achieving success on and off the mat. Gene doesn't just preach about mindset; he embodies it. We explore the competition for athletes' attention in an increasingly distracted world and...

Dive into the mind of one of wrestling's brightest stars in this special episode of the Athletor Podcast, featuring guest Yianni Diakomihalis. He shares insight into his unique lifestyle changes, including diet, red light therapy, and more, all geared towards achieving peak performance. Yianni's approach to learning and applying techniques, his mindset towards improvement, and his strong o...

Join us in the latest episode of the Athletor Podcast as we dive into a conversation with Evan Wick, assistant coach at Cal Poly and a contender to make the US National team at 86kg. From his memorable experiences competing at Fargo to the unique coaching philosophies he has cultivated, Wick sheds light on the synergistic relationship between his coaching and athletic careers. The discussion takes...

On Episode 24 of the Athletor Podcast we sit down with Damion Hahn, Head Coach at South Dakota State University, as he shares insightful stories and valuable experiences from the world of wrestling. Join us as we delve into the journey of SDSU's new wrestling facility, unravelling the process of fundraising and the challenges faced in getting it built. Hahn takes us behind the scenes of this m...

In this episode, we have a truly inspiring guest, Anthony Ferraro. Join us as we dive into Anthony's incredible journey, filled with resilience, determination, and a passion for wrestling. Born and raised in New Jersey, Anthony shares his origin story, growing up in a big family and how he discovered his love for wrestling. Despite facing the challenge of being blind, he embraced the sport in...

Join us on the Athletor Podcast as we dive into the fascinating journey of J Jaggers, associate head coach from Ohio State and a 2-time NCAA champion. In this episode, we explore J's remarkable athletic career and delve into his mindset during pivotal moments. Discover the inside scoop on coaching at The Ohio State University, and witness an entertaining conversation as Mike and J share their...

Tune in to the Athletor Podcast as we sit down with Christopher D. Fraley, the head coach at Phoenix Tribe Wrestling. In this episode, we explore Christopher's journey as a founding member of the Rhino wrestling club, where numerous national champions emerged. Discover how Christopher brings his expertise in cultural anthropology to coaching, implementing a unique approach that prioritizes per...

In this exciting episode, we are joined by the unstoppable force, Zane Richards, who recently secured his spot on the Final X world team and claimed victory at the US Open in Vegas. Join us as Zane shares his remarkable journey, discussing his preparation for the world team trials, the challenges he faced, and the strategies that propelled him to success. Gain exclusive insights into his training...

We have the privilege of hosting the highly accomplished Chase Pami, owner and head coach of Gold Rush Wrestling academy in Las Vegas. With an impressive background as a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, NCAA finalist, and two-time Pac10 Champion, Chase brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. In this episode, we dive into Chase's inspiring backstory and learn about the p...

Join host Mike Mal on The Athletor Podcast for an inspiring episode featuring special guest Chance Marsteller. In this episode, Chance shares his captivating origin story, recounting his experiences growing up in Pennsylvania, where he wrestled an astonishing 250 matches per year. He delves into the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and how his relentless work ethic shaped his wrestling...

In this episode, we have the honor of sitting down with the incredible Zahid Valencia, a dominant force in the wrestling world. Join us as we dive deep into Zahid's recent endeavors, exploring his decision to move up a weight class and compete at Final X. We dissect his matchup against Aaron Brooks at the US Open Finals, delving into the strategy and technical prowess displayed by both athlete...

Join host Mike Mal on The Athletor Podcast for a captivating episode featuring special guest Helen Maroulis, a Olympic Gold Medalist, 3X World Champion and trailblazing figure in women's wrestling. In this episode, Helen opens up about her journey, discussing how she navigated through injuries, the current state of women's wrestling, and the immense pressure she faced while competing at th...

Join host Mike Mal on The Athletor Podcast as he sits down with special guest Cayden Henschel, a talented D2 college wrestler, content creator, and master of balancing multiple passions. In this episode, Cayden shares his unique perspective as a D2 college wrestler, content creator, and his journey to finding balance in his everyday life. From managing the demands of college wrestling to creating...

Join host Mike Mal on The Athletor Podcast as he sits down with guest Ridge Lovett, an NCAA Finalist from Nebraska. In this episode, Ridge shares some weight cutting stories, talks about competitiveness, and shares the insights he's gained along the way. From training techniques to mindset and competition strategies, Ridge offers valuable advice for wrestlers of all levels, providing a unique...

This week’s episode features Jon Reader, the Associate Head Coach at the University of Wisconsin. In this episode, Jon Reader shares his vast experience and insights from his wrestling journey, including his collegiate wrestling career, coaching philosophy, and training techniques. Jon discusses his coaching approach, recruiting strategies, and his perspectives on the current landscape of collegia...

Join host Mike Mal on The Athletor Podcast for an insightful episode featuring special guest Joe Pollard, assistant coach at Rutgers University. In this episode, Joe Pollard shares his wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of wrestling, including his coaching journey and the lessons he's learned along the way. Joe discusses his coaching philosophy, training techniques, and strategies...

Anthony is a highly accomplished wrestler, NCAA Division I national champion, Team USA member, and now embarking on his MMA career. In this episode, Mike and Anthony discuss Anthony's wrestling journey, including his notable achievements, challenges, and insights as a top-level wrestler. They'll dive into Anthony's training methods, mindset, and experiences in the wrestling world, and...

Welcome to another episode of The Athletor Podcast with your host, Mike Mal. In this episode, Mike sits down with a special guest, Mike Macchiavello. Mike Macchiavello is a renowned wrestling coach, former NCAA Division I national champion, and a member of Team USA. Join Mike and Mike as they delve into the world of wrestling, discussing Mike Macchiavello's career as a wrestler and his transit...

We're joined by Jimmy Branham, a certified nutritionist and the owner of The Meal Prep Co in San Diego, CA. Jimmy has worked with top athletes in various sports, including wrestling, to help them optimize their nutrition and performance. In this episode, Jimmy and host Mike Malinconico discuss the importance of proper nutrition for wrestlers and how it can impact their performance on the mat....

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with guest Nate Jackson, assistant coach at Princeton University and Team USA member at 92kg. Join us as we dive into Nate's wrestling journey to becoming an All-American at Indiana University and a member of the USA Wrestling team. We'll also discuss his experience as an assistant coach at Princeton, his coaching philosophy, and how he...

Join us on this week's episode of "The Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal" as we take a look under the hood at Cal Poly. Coach Jon Sioredas opens up on why and how his program is uniquely special. Coach expands upon core value based leadership, strategic planning, and differentiating his program from a business standpoint. Coach Sioredas has spearheaded the overhaul of the Cal Poly Wrestling program l...

In this episode, we're joined by Seth Gross, assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin and a 2022 USA world team member. Join us as we dive deep into the world of college and international wrestling, and hear Seth's unique perspective as both an athlete and a coach. We'll discuss his journey to becoming a world-class wrestler, the challenges he's faced along the way, and how he's using his ex...

In this episode, we sit down with Coyte Cooper, an NCAA All-American, mindset coach, and author. Coyte shares his experience as a former Division I wrestler, his journey as a mindset coach, and how he helps athletes and coaches to build resilience and achieve their goals. Coyte gives us valuable insights into the mental and emotional aspects of wrestling, including dealing with pressure, overcomin...