Kayla Bock: Athlete To Impact Leader- Episode 143

Wendy Boglioli - From a 17-Yard Pool to Olympic Gold - Episode 146

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. Today, I’m excited to bring you the story of an athlete whose journey embodies everything this show stands for, resilience, perseverance, discipline, and the courage to pursue a dream when others doubt it can be done. My guest is Wendy Boglioli, an Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Hall of Famer, former American record holder, and one of the most accomplished swimmers in American history. From her beginnings in a small town of Wisconsin to competing on the world’s biggest stage, Wendy’s path to Olympic success was anything but ordinary. A standout swimmer at Monmouth University, Wendy went on to capture Olympic Gold in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay and Olympic Bronze in the 100-meter butterfly at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. She is also a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In this episode, Wendy shares the powerful influence of her parents, the lessons she learned through years of training and competition, the sacrifices required to chase an Olympic dream, and the mindset that helped her overcome obstacles both in and out of the pool. We also discuss the historic 1976 Olympics, the challenges faced by Team USA, and how one conversation with a coach changed the trajectory of her life forever. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, business professional, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, Wendy’s story will remind you of the impact that belief, hard work, and the right people can have on your journey. Please help me welcome Olympic Gold Medalist, Hall of Famer, motivational speaker, and healthy aging advocate, Wendy Boglioli, to the RU Strong Podcast.

How Jack Betts Rewrote the NIL Playbook - Episode 145

Welcome to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. Today, I have a guest whose story is a powerful example of what can happen when preparation meets opportunity. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Jack Betts developed a passion for football at an early age. While many athletes dream of playing Division I football, Jack chose a different path, traveling nearly 1,800 miles from home to attend Amherst College, one of the most academically prestigious institutions in the country. There, he became a two-way football player, competing as both a wide receiver and defensive back while earning degrees in English and Native American Studies. Like many athletes, Jack faced adversity throughout his journey. Injuries challenged his playing career, COVID disrupted his college experience, and he was forced to navigate uncertainty at a time when many athletes were simply trying to survive. But instead of viewing those challenges as setbacks, Jack used them as springboards. When NIL launched in 2021, Jack saw an opportunity that most Division III athletes believed didn't exist. Through relentless networking, self-advocacy, creativity, and professionalism, he built relationships with more than 40 brands and became one of the most successful NIL pioneers in Division III athletics. His success wasn't built on fame, follower counts, or playing at a Power Four school, it was built on relationships, consistency, and the willingness to bet on himself. His passion for helping other athletes led him to found the Make Your Own Legacy Academy, where he helped athletes from Division II, Division III, NAIA, and JUCO programs learn how to build their personal brands and maximize their NIL opportunities. Today, Jack has come full circle. After earning his master’s degree in Sport Management from SMU, he now serves as the NIL Partnership Solutions Coordinator for SMU Athletics, helping hundreds of student-athletes navigate one of the most rapidly changing landscapes in college sports. In this episode, we'll discuss leadership, adversity, athlete identity, the realities of NIL, building a personal brand, and why some of life's greatest opportunities often come disguised as challenges. If you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone navigating change in your own life, I think you'll find a lot of value in Jack's journey. Please join me in welcoming Jack Betts to the RU Strong Podcast.

Matt Simms From The Field To Purpose - Episode 144

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. I'm your host, Jeff Durr, and today I’m excited to be joined by former Don Bosco Prep standout, college quarterback, NFL veteran, media personality, coach, and entrepreneur, Matt Simms. Growing up in Northern New Jersey as the son of New York Giants legend and Super Bowl champion Phil Simms, Matt was surrounded by football from an early age. But as you'll hear in this conversation, his journey was never about following someone else's path, it was about creating his own. A star quarterback at Don Bosco Prep, Matt led one of the nation's premier high school football programs before continuing his football journey through Louisville, El Camino College, and Tennessee. His hard work and perseverance eventually earned him opportunities in the NFL with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Atlanta Falcons. In this episode, Matt shares the realities of growing up in a football family, the lessons learned from legendary coaches and mentors, the challenges he faced during his college career, and how adversity became one of his greatest teachers. He opens up about accountability, resilience, personal growth, and the importance of learning from mistakes rather than being defined by them. We also discuss the changing landscape of youth sports, recruiting, quarterback development, leadership, confidence, and why some of the most important lessons athletes learn happen long after the final whistle. Today, Matt is the founder of Simms Complete, where he helps develop the next generation of quarterbacks by teaching not only the physical side of the game, but also the mental, emotional, and leadership skills required for success both on and off the field. This is a powerful conversation about identity, perseverance, growth, and finding purpose through life's challenges. Please welcome former NFL quarterback, coach, mentor, and one of New Jersey's most respected football minds, Matt Simms, to the RU Strong Podcast.

Kayla Bock: Athlete To Impact Leader- Episode 143

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today I’m excited to welcome former Rutgers University softball player, athlete leader, and rising star in collegiate athletic development, Kayla Bock. Kayla’s story is all about leadership, resilience, identity, and finding purpose beyond the game. Growing up in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Kayla was a two-sport standout athlete who excelled in both softball and swimming. She was the 2020 Female Athlete of the Year, a varsity captain in both sports, a two-time All-Area First Team selection, and an All-State honorable mention swimmer before taking her talents to Rutgers University to compete in Big Ten softball. But what makes Kayla’s journey so powerful is that her impact extended far beyond the field. While balancing the demands of Division I athletics during the challenges of the COVID era, Kayla became heavily involved in student-athlete leadership and mental health advocacy. She served as President of Rutgers’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Vice President of Mental Health and Wellness, helped launch Rutgers Athletics’ first-ever “Life After Sports” panel, created a freshman student-athlete mentorship program, and organized mental health and suicide prevention initiatives for athletes. After graduation, Kayla continued her mission of helping athletes succeed beyond sports by working for the Big Ten Conference in athletic development and community engagement before serving as Chief Operating Officer for Scottfield Project, helping lead youth athletic redevelopment initiatives. Today, at just 24 years old, Kayla is the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success at La Salle University, where she focuses on athlete development, leadership, career readiness, mental wellness, and helping nearly 600 student-athletes prepare for life after the game. In this episode, Kayla shares her journey through leadership, recruiting, COVID, athletic identity struggles, mental health challenges, career development, and what it truly means to help athletes transition successfully beyond sports. This is an inspiring conversation about perseverance, growth, leadership, and using your platform to positively impact others.

Building Championship Mindsets with Joel Honigford - Episode 142

Former University of Michigan football player and former NFL athlete Joel Honigford joins me on this episode of the RU Strong Podcast for a powerful conversation about leadership, mental toughness, adversity, discipline, and the mindset required to compete at the highest levels of college football and the NFL. Joel shares his incredible journey from a small-town Ohio athlete growing up in Amish country to becoming a five-time letter winner at Michigan, earning a degree in mechanical engineering, competing in the College Football Playoff, and eventually playing in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and other organizations. We dive deep into: 🏈 The recruiting process and choosing Michigan over Ohio State 🏈 The pressure and mental challenges of competing at an elite level 🏈 Transitioning from offensive lineman to tight end under Coach Jim Harbaugh 🏈 How leadership and mindset transformed Michigan football 🏈 The reality of the NFL and the mental side of professional sports 🏈 Building resilience, accountability, and confidence through adversity 🏈 Why mental strength is just as important as physical strength Joel also discusses how his experiences shaped his mission today as a mental strength and conditioning coach, helping athletes, teams, and business professionals improve performance under pressure and develop championship-level mindsets. This episode is packed with lessons on perseverance, adaptability, leadership, and personal growth that apply far beyond sports.