#135 | Kenji’s Legacy: Navigating Grief, Resilience, and Lessons in Dog Ownership | Rizzology

#135 | Kenji’s Legacy: Navigating Grief, Resilience, and Lessons in Dog Ownership | Rizzology

Send feedback for the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859721/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to Rizzology. In this deeply personal episode, host Nick opens up about an incredibly challenging chapter of his life—the loss of his beloved dog, Kenji. This isn’t just an ordinary episode; it’s a raw and heartfelt reflection on love, loss, resilience, and the realities of caring for a pet with complex medical needs. Nick takes us on a journey from childhood memories with his first dog, Cookie, through the emotional rollercoaster of welcoming Kenji into his life, and the trials they both faced as Kenji battled a series of serious health issues, including epilepsy and bladder stones. Through candid storytelling, Nick shines a light on the commitment and challenges that come with being a dedicated pet parent. He shares the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned—offering comfort and solidarity to anyone who’s gone through a similar experience. This episode is much more than a tribute to a loyal companion; it’s an honest conversation about grief, healing, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with the ones we love. 00:00 Kenji's Journey: Challenges & Blessings 07:00 Final Act of Love 12:14 Preparing to Own a Dominant Breed 21:17 Road Trip to Pick Up Kenji 22:46 Long trip back 27:23 Dog's Medical Emergency Chaos 37:18 Living with Canine Epilepsy 42:19 Kenji's Feeding and Care Routine 44:11 Diet Transition Challenge 52:21 Kenji's Complex Bladder Surgery 56:31 Struggles Caring for a Sick Dog 59:23 Be Prepared for Emergencies 01:05:40 Kenji's Final Moments 01:12:55 Commitment to Caring for Dogs 01:18:02 Life Happens for Us Not To Us 01:21:39 Cherish the Time You Have ________________________________________________________________ Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/rizzology] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fxMC76SX2c6zDd87rWCRw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicky_rizzles/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nicky_rizzles]  We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Feel free to share your favorite moments or any questions you have for Darren. Thank you for being part of the Rizzology community. Your support means the world to us! 🌟 P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more listeners like you!

#134 | Tom DeGiuli |

Send feedback for the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859721/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to Rizzology! In this episode, Nick and Tom DeGiuli are hanging out in the studio. We kick things off talking about live podcasting, crazy travel schedules, and how Hyrox is blowing up as the new CrossFit. From there, it’s a wild ride: they swap stories about fitness cults, the Liver King scandal, influencer marketing gone rogue, and just how weird social media can get—yes, including selling bathwater and OnlyFans drama. There’s plenty of joking around, some surprisingly deep talk about chasing trends, being real with yourself, and what it means to actually be happy with your body and your life, even as the internet keeps changing the game. 00:00 Live Streaming & Travel Reflections 07:25 "Wrestling with Authenticity and Persona" 14:56 Marine Biologist's Thrilling Passion 19:54 AI Creations Need Watermarks 22:22 Social Media Overload Impact 27:13 Fragmented Follower Engagement Issues 32:08 "Lion or Sheep Dilemma" 38:24 "Seeking Connection and Attention" 45:16 Gym's Next Chapter: Jiu Jitsu? 47:44 Training Girls in Self-Defense 57:24 Finding Personal Happiness in Fitness 01:02:37 Life Choices and Expansion Dilemma 01:03:27 Expanding for Business Growth 01:12:40 Transformative Late-Night Workouts 01:16:10 Designing an Innovative Gym Space 01:19:31 "Consult God Before Church Visit" Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/rizzology] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fxMC76SX2c6zDd87rWCRw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicky_rizzles/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nicky_rizzles]  We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Feel free to share your favorite moments or any questions you have for Darren. Thank you for being part of the Rizzology community. Your support means the world to us! 🌟 P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more listeners like you!

#133 | Life Update |

Send feedback for the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859721/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to Rizzology! In this solo episode, host Nick Rizzo (aka Nicky Rizzles) returns after a month-long hiatus to catch you up on everything happening in his world.  Nick dives into building his very first custom PC to enhance the podcast’s live streaming experience and shares a candid update about juggling work, life, and his evolving fitness journey—including tactical games, jiu jitsu, and home gym goals.  He opens up about the challenges of staying on track with training and nutrition, what’s new with his content creation career, and some exciting guests lined up for future episodes. _______________________________________________________________ 00:00 Interactive Podcast Streaming Setup 06:09 Jiu Jitsu Travel and Exploration 08:42 Home Gym Investment Reflections 10:09 Home Gym Benefits After COVID 14:19 Upcoming Podcast Guests Announced 16:46 "Embracing Life and Future Growth" ________________________________________________________________ Socials: @Nicky_Rizzles on all platforms ________________________________________________________________ Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/rizzology] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fxMC76SX2c6zDd87rWCRw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicky_rizzles/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nicky_rizzles]  We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Feel free to share your favorite moments or any questions you have for Darren. Thank you for being part of the Rizzology community. Your support means the world to us! 🌟 P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more listeners like you!

#132 | Sam Ciaccia & Tom DeGiuli |

Send feedback for the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859721/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Rizzology, we sit down with the dynamic duo of Sam Ciaccia and Tom DeGiuli to dive into the world of kettlebells, biomechanics, and personal journeys that redefine resilience. Host Nicky Rizzles opens the conversation with a light-hearted banter about the unexpected matchmaker skills of his guests, which quickly steers into tales of gym challenges and the surprisingly humorous struggles of keeping calluses at bay. Sam, a certified physician assistant turned fitness entrepreneur, takes us through her evolution from administering emergency room care to developing a versatile kettlebell certification program tailored for trainers. We explore her journey through breast cancer and how it spurred the creation of a specialized rehabilitation course aimed at helping women regain strength post-surgery. Meanwhile, Tom shares his insights born out of the gritty world of nightlife and bartending, revealing how his unyielding passion for fitness led to the birth of his training facility. Together, Sam and Tom provide a masterclass in perseverance and adaptation, peppered with laughter, challenges, and triumphs. Join us for an episode packed with expert advice, personal stories of empowerment, and a shared mission to elevate the fitness industry with knowledge and authenticity.  00:00 Pivoting to Course Creation 19:03 Uniform Prep Enhances Certification Efficiency 20:56 Refining Business Through Social Media 35:18 "No Excuses, Build Your Success" 50:17 Healthcare Challenges Abroad: Diagnostic Differences 57:02 Global Insurance vs. U.S. Health Protections 01:05:58 Choosing the Right Doctor Dilemma 01:21:41 Defying Limits and Expectations 01:25:06 Competing Worries: Injuries vs. Passion 01:34:06 "Newfound Appreciation for Exercise" 01:50:17 Designing Effective Kettlebell Courses 01:56:38 "New York: Global Fitness Hub" Socials: https://www.instagram.com/sciaccia/ https://www.instagram.com/tomdegiuli/ Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/rizzology] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fxMC76SX2c6zDd87rWCRw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicky_rizzles/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nicky_rizzles]  We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Feel free to share your favorite moments or any questions you have for Darren. Thank you for being part of the Rizzology community. Your support means the world to us! 🌟 P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more listeners like you!

#131 | Vinny Galanti |

Send feedback for the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859721/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we sit down with  Vinny Galanti, who has made an impressive mark on the world of bodybuilding over his extensive career. As he gears up for the upcoming Masters Olympia in Tokyo, Vinny shares his journey from his early days in bodybuilding to his present-day preparations. From discussing the evolution of his training regimen and how he adapted after major surgeries, to the impact of social media and influencers on the current state of bodybuilding, Vinny provides a deep dive into his experiences and insights. Tune in for a conversation filled with nostalgic tales, lessons learned, and Vinny’s unwavering dedication to the sport. ---------------------------------------------- https://www.instagram.com/vinnygalanti_/ [https://www.instagram.com/vinnygalanti_/]https://www.instagram.com/nicky_rizzles/ [https://www.instagram.com/nicky_rizzles/] ---------------------------------------------- 00:00 Bodybuilding's Golden Era Highlights 05:39 80s Bodybuilding Memories 11:14 "Success is a Continuous Journey" 21:02 "Fame and Human Error" 26:11 Rediscovering Fun in Training 31:50 Eyeing Nationals: Finding Balance 37:50 Travel Opportunities from Guest Posing 43:20 Bodybuilding: Business vs. Competition 51:13 Perseverance Despite Health Challenges 58:31 Weight Loss and Contest Strategy 01:01:38 Influencer Sponsorship in Bodybuilding 01:06:23 Comprehensive Coaching Essentials 01:11:00 Mastering Mind-Muscle Connection 01:17:16 "Bodybuilding: Coasting Over Conventional Cuts" 01:24:51 Gym Tip for Dumbbell Shoulder Presses 01:31:08  Muscle Memory Analogy  01:39:59 Bodybuilding Journey: Hard Work & Discipline 01:41:06 Strategic Growth Over Popularity ---------------------------------------------- Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/rizzology] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fxMC76SX2c6zDd87rWCRw] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicky_rizzles/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nicky_rizzles]  We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Feel free to share your favorite moments or any questions you have for Darren. Thank you for being part of the Rizzology community. Your support means the world to us! 🌟 P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more listeners like you!