The Lugo Show

In this episode of The Lugo Show, Pat Lugo sits down with NCAA Champion Stephen Buchanan to break down his incredible journey from an under-recruited high school wrestler to the top of the podium at Iowa. Buchanan shares the mindset shift that changed everything… and what it really takes to become elite. In this episode:• Starting in a small town with little recognition• The moment everything “fli...

In this episode of The Lugo Show, Pat Lugo sits down with Clarissa Chun, head coach of the University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling program, Olympic medalist, and one of the pioneers of women’s wrestling. Coach Chun shares her incredible journey from growing up doing judo in Hawaii, to discovering wrestling in high school, to becoming an Olympic medalist and now leading one of the fastest growing prog...

Pat Lugo sits down with Steve “The Bear” Mocco for a wide-ranging conversation after Mocco’s return to competition at RAF. They talk about what it’s like to compete again after years away, how it feels having his sons in his corner, and why Michael chose Iowa. In this episode:Mocco’s RAF comeback and how it felt returning to the matThe “role reversal” of getting coached by his sonsCompeting nerves...

Recorded live at the Miami Hawks Thanksgiving Wrestling Camp, we sit down with Zach Sherman for a camp-side podcast conversation on wrestling development, mindset, and what it takes to level up. In this episode:Zach’s wrestling start and the Florida Heatwave dual team daysHow judo shaped his style and respect on the matMatch mindset: preparation, performance, and competing freeFinding your “why” w...

Nick Purler built one of the most respected wrestling systems in America — and in this episode of The Lugo Show, he sits down with Pat Lugo to break down how.🔥 From his days at Oklahoma State to running a 50-acre wrestling compound in Missouri, Purler reveals what it really takes to build champions — in wrestling and in life.💪 Watch this if you want to:Learn how “position over talent” wins title...

Pat Lugo welcomes Brian Smith, head coach of the Missouri Tigers, for a powerful conversation about his rise from a Florida kid chasing football dreams to one of the most respected leaders in NCAA wrestling. Coach Smith breaks down how “Tiger Style” was born, what it represents, and how it’s fueled Mizzou’s rise into a perennial powerhouse.

In this episode of The Lugo Show, Pat Lugo sits down with Ricky Cheese, the founder and voice behind The Florida Wrestling Room — the state’s largest and most passionate wrestling community. Ricky shares how a simple idea turned into a 25,000-strong movement uniting wrestlers, coaches, and fans across the Sunshine State. They dive into the origins of Grinding for Greatness, building a brand around...

On this episode of The Lugo Show, Pat Lugo sits down with Pat (Patrick) Gould, former Life University standout wrestler turned coach at Flagler Palm Coast High School. They unpack Gould’s journey on the mat, his transition into coaching, and how he’s shaping the next generation in Florida wrestling. What you’ll hear in this conversation: • Gould’s competitive years at Life University and standout...

In this episode, we sit down with two Olympians and leaders in American Greco-Roman wrestling: Kamal Bey and Alex Sancho. Both represent not just Team USA, but also the WCAP (World Class Athlete Program) of the U.S. Army — a unique path that allows elite athletes to serve their country while pursuing greatness on the mat. What you’ll hear in this conversation:✅ The mindset it takes to reach the O...

From the mats to the cage. 🥋🥊In the latest episode of The Lugo Show (Ep. 12), Pat Lugo sits down with NCAA standout and undefeated MMA fighter Mitch McKee (9-0) at the 5-Day Getaway Wrestling Camp held at Miccosukee Casino & Resort in Miami, Florida. What you’ll hear:✅ Mitch’s transition from NCAA wrestling to professional MMA✅ The challenges of moving across the country and starting fresh...

High school records don’t guarantee college glory. 🏆In this Lugo Show Extra, Pat Lugo pulls from his own journey — from Edinboro to the Iowa Hawkeyes under Tom & Terry Brands — to reveal why being 142-0 in high school means nothing at the D1 level.👉 Inside this episode:The wake-up call that humbled Lugo in the Iowa roomWhy mentality and training habits matter more than your recordLearning to...

In this episode of The Lugo Show, Pat Lugo sits down with Coach Mitch Kennedy of Decatur Wrestling. From building one of the top wrestling programs in Michigan to balancing parent expectations and teaching kids to love the sport, this conversation goes deep into the culture of wrestling and life lessons that come with it. What you’ll hear in this episode:✅ Coach Kennedy’s journey from Luther Coll...

Step inside one of the biggest high school wrestling facilities in the Southeast as Pat Lugo sits down with his former Edinboro teammate Arick Shankles, now head coach at Bob Jones High School in North Alabama. From three full mats, a weight room with seven racks, treadmills, bikes, and locker rooms for both boys and girls, this standalone facility sets a new standard for high school wrestling pro...

In this special episode of The Lugo Show, we sit down with Coach Duck, the new head coach of the South Dade wrestling program after more than 20 years as an assistant. He’s also the driving force behind Gladiator Wrestling Club, one of Florida’s premier wrestling clubs known for producing standout champions—including Pat and Ozzy Lugo themselves.💬 Coach Duck shares what it means to step into the...

From qualifier to finalist—Drake Ayala breaks it all down. In this exclusive sit-down, 2x NCAA Division I Finalist and Iowa Hawkeye standout Drake Ayala shares what sparked his transformation from talented qualifier to elite finalist. Filmed during the 2025 Miami Hawks Summer Games, Drake reflects on:🔥 What made this camp stand out from the rest📈 The mindset shift that changed his college career...

World medalist Forrest Molinari was just trying to bring the hype — but the officials didn’t agree 😅. Despite legendary Iowa coach Tom Brands saying the cowbell was fine, Forrest was kicked out of an Iowa dual not once… but twice — the second time for bringing an even bigger one! 🐄🔔This hilarious short captures one of the most unforgettable behind-the-scenes moments in wrestling — proving that...

In this episode of The Lugo Show , Pat Lugo sits down with Forrest Molinari — world medalist, young leader, and one of the rising voices in women’s wrestling. Together, they explore her journey from the youth room to the world stage, the challenges she’s faced, and her mission to push the sport forward. Key topics covered: ✅ How Forrest’s wrestling style and mindset evolved over time ✅ The diffe...

📍 Live from the Miami Hawks Summer Games 2025Iowa Hawkeye legend Austin DeSanto sat down with Pat and Ozzy Lugo to talk about the electric growth of Florida wrestling and what it's like to be part of something bigger than the mat. In this episode of The Lugo Show, recorded during the biggest clinic weekend of the year, Austin opens up about:🔥 Why Florida’s wrestling scene is exploding🔥 His...

In this episode of The Lugo Show, things get real with NCAA Champion and Iowa Hawkeye legend Cory Clark. Pat and Ozzy sit down with Clark to talk about:🥇 What it really takes to become a National Champion🔥 That time he tossed Terry Brands in practice (yes, really)🏆 Building his own youth wrestling club and giving back to the next generationFrom intense Iowa room stories to leadership lessons of...

Welcome to the first-ever episode of The Lugo Show—hosted by 2x NCAA All-American Pat Lugo and his brother Ozzy, live from the legendary South Dade wrestling room. In this raw, unfiltered premiere, the brothers reflect on Day 1 of the Miami Hawks Summer Games 2025, what it means to build a legacy, and why the grind never stops. From humble beginnings to mentoring the next generation, this is more...