Becoming Uncommon with Coach Rich

Brain storming session and introduction to the Inaugural Falcon Alumni Gala. This is our Track and Field/Cross-Country Hall of Fame and Alumni Networking event to celebrate Falcon Greatness through the generations.

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with Tony Veney—veteran coach, educator, and mentor whose influence spans over five decades in track and field. Tony’s journey goes far beyond coaching; it’s a story about leadership, purpose, and the lifelong impact of guiding others. From mentoring Olympians to shaping generations of athletes and coaches, Tony shares invaluable lessons on discipli...

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with Gary Cablayan, a true entrepreneur at heart whose story is rooted in grit, hustle, and resilience. From running small side hustles to building real businesses, Gary’s journey is about betting on yourself, learning through failure, and pushing past doubt to create success. Gary opens up about his upbringing, the early challenges that shaped his...

n this episode of Becoming Uncommon, Coach Richardson sits down with Coach Megan Martinez, one of the most inspiring leaders in college athletics. Megan’s journey started with a tough 0–30 record and a $4,000 coaching salary—but she refused to quit. Over the past decade, she’s built Long Beach City College Softball into a powerhouse program defined by resilience, discipline, and heart. We dive dee...

Becoming Uncommon Podcast | Featuring Mackenzie Monson – Cerritos College Track & Field All-American From South Torrance High School, where she was voted Team MVP three years in a row, to becoming a California Community College Hammer Champion and All-American, Mackenzie Monson has built her journey around one core belief — greatness isn’t about a single season, but a lifelong pursuit of growt...

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, Coach Richardson sits down with Aron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, to uncover one of the most unexpected journeys in Olympic sports. Aron went from studying to be a high-school science teacher to representing Team USA on the world stage — and eventually becoming the CEO leading America’s fastest winter athletes. His story begins with a cold call...

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with my good friend Curtis Beach — once one of the most promising decathletes in the nation and now a creator, coach, and founder of Beach Track Club in San Diego. Curtis’ journey is one of reinvention and resilience. From breaking national records in high school to competing at Duke and facing the harsh realities of injury and identity loss, he’s r...

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with two people who’ve shaped not just my coaching career, but my life — Coach Larry Wade and Coach Yvonne Wade. Larry is a former U.S. Track & Field champion turned world-renowned boxing trainer, working with elite fighters and building champions from the ground up. Yvonne, a former Olympian for Japan, has spent over 20 years in Division I coac...

Becoming Uncommon: Meet a Falcon with Josh Morales and Coach Rich. Discuss how Josh got into running and how he overcame injuries to build the grit to become one of the top runners in the State.

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with my longtime friend and one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in California track & field — Rich Benoy, owner of VS Athletics, meet manager, TV statistician, CIF committee member, and one of the biggest track nerds I know. Rich went from a small-town hurdler with no coach, to a college athlete, to working in track production...

How to Master Your College Recruitment (Do NOT Skip These Steps) If you want to find the right school, stop guessing and start ranking what actually matters. Follow these steps ⬇️ 1️⃣ Academics — Does the school have your major, your program, and a real pathway for graduate school? If not… keep scrolling. 2️⃣ Athletics — Is the coach right for you? Does the conference level fit your goals? Do the...

YouTube Description — Becoming Uncommon: Meet a Falcon | Dr. Angel Sifuentes In this episode of Becoming Uncommon – Meet a Falcon Edition, Coach Richardson sits down with Dr. Angel Sifuentes, one of the most decorated and versatile athletes in Cerritos College history and now a rising leader in sports performance and chiropractic care. A multi-sport athlete for Cerritos College (2012–13), Dr. Sifu...

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with Isaias Hernandez, the co-founder of Smoke & Fire Social Eatery, to uncover his journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving, family-centered restaurant empire. Isaias shares how he turned a simple idea written on a bar napkin into a brand that’s not only loved for its incredible food but also for its deep community impact. From wor...

As a coach, introvert, and someone who grew up with dyslexia, social situations were never easy for me. From recruiting athletes to presenting in front of thousands, I’ve had to push far outside my comfort zone—and over time, I discovered what I now call my superpower. In this video, I share my journey from struggling in special education classes to learning how to thrive on stage, in meetings, an...

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with Isaias Hernandez, the co-founder of Smoke & Fire Social Eatery, to uncover his journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving, family-centered restaurant empire. Isaias shares how he turned a simple idea written on a bar napkin into a brand that’s not only loved for its incredible food but also for its deep community impact. From wor...

Welcome to the very first episode of Becoming Uncommon! For our debut, I’m sitting down with someone who means a lot to me — my former athlete and lifelong friend, Hassan Ilyas. From the track to business and everything in between, Hassan’s journey is full of resilience, risk-taking, and lessons learned the hard way. We talk about his path from being one of my athletes at Compton College, followin...

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with Richard O’Riley, affectionately known as Coach O, the founder of NY Metro Elite Track Club. Richard has dedicated his life to mentoring sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers throughout the northeast region and beyond, guiding multiple All-American, state champion, and nationally ranked athletes who have gone on to compete in conferences like the ACC...