RU STRONG

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast!Today’s guest is the definition of global grit, discipline, and belief.All the way from England, this young man crossed the Atlantic to chase two dreams at once, elite soccer and elite academics.Danny Lokko.A product of the English academy system, discovered at just six years old by Everton, trained in the professional ranks, and faced with an 18-year-old decision most adults wouldn’t be ready for go pro or bet on education.He chose Cornell University.Ivy League. Economics & Management. Dean’s List every single semester. 3.7 GPA.All while waking up at 4:30 AM for lifts, grinding through snow-covered slopes in Ithaca winters, battling injuries, navigating identity beyond sport, and helping lead one of Cornell Soccer’s most successful runs in program history.But this conversation isn’t just about goals scored or GPAs earned.It’s about:⚽ Making the hard choice when the pro contract is on the table📚 Managing two full-time jobs, Ivy League academics and Division I athletics🧠 Confronting self-doubt and redefining identity beyond the game🙏 Faith, vulnerability, and mental toughness💪 Sacrifice, sweat, and courageDanny opens up about the pressure of high expectations, the moment he had to confront fear head-on, and how becoming “Big Unk” the veteran leader, meant serving others before himself.This episode is about resilience.It’s about maturity.It’s about choosing growth over comfort.And it’s a reminder that greatness isn’t handed to you, it’s built at 4:30 in the morning when nobody’s watching.Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast. Danny Lokko

Welcome back to another episode of the RU Strong Podcast.Today, we’re joined by a New Jersey homegrown legend, Ned Bolcar.Out of Phillipsburg High School, Ned was a USA Today High School All-American, the 1985 National High School Player of the Year, and one of the most heavily recruited athletes in the country He took his talents to the University of Notre Dame, where he became:🏆 A National Champion🏆 A Two-Time All-American🏆 A Two-Time Team Captain🏆 Maxwell Spirit of Notre Dame Award Winner🏆 CBS Defensive Player of the Year🏆 Fiesta Bowl All-AmericanThen came the NFL, drafted in 1990, playing for the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins But what makes this episode powerful isn’t just the accolades.It’s the mindset.Ned talks about:• The difference between recruiting “back then” and today’s NIL era• The emotional high of competition, a feeling he says can’t be replicated anywhere else• The humility that comes from playing against great players and great teams• The moment his father told him it was time to walk away from the game• Transitioning from the NFL to Wall Street• Reinventing himself again as an entrepreneur• And what it truly means to compete, lead, and stay groundedHe shares something profound in this episode:“I feared losing more than I enjoyed winning.” This conversation is about:🔥 The high of the game🔥 The pain of transition🔥 The discipline of reinvention🔥 And the lifelong impact of great parents, great coaches, and great teammatesFrom Phillipsburg to Notre Dame.From Lou Holtz to Don Shula.From NFL locker rooms to Wall Street trading floors.Ned Bolcar’s journey defines what it means to be RU Strong.

Today on the RU Strong Podcast, we welcome an incredible guest whose journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and betting on yourself, Eli Fisher.Eli’s story begins at Wagner College, where he carved out an outstanding lacrosse career as a First Team All-MAAC selection, two-time team captain, and member of the SAC Executive Board. Being voted captain once is rare, being voted twice tells you everything you need to know about the respect he earned in that locker room.But Eli didn’t stop there.After honoring his commitment to Wagner, he made the bold decision to enter the transfer portal and landed at one of the biggest stages in college athletics, Ohio State University. Competing in the Big Ten, Eli elevated his game once again, earning Second Team All-Big Ten and Third Team All-American honors, all while excelling academically. That’s where preparation meets opportunity.Eli would go on to play professionally in the Premier Lacrosse League, capturing a championship with the Utah Archers, living out a dream that very few ever reach.And then came another powerful pivot.Instead of chasing the next contract, Eli chose purpose, dedicating his life to serving student-athletes. Today, he’s giving back to the game and the next generation as an Assistant Athletic Director at Monmouth University.In this episode, we dive deep into:• Being unrecruited and finding belief when no one’s watching• Leading through adversity and earning the trust of teammates• Navigating the transfer portal with integrity• Mental toughness, injuries, burnout, and staying present• Why success off the field matters just as much as success on itThis is a conversation about earning everything, staying grounded, and becoming the leader you once needed.🔥 RU Strong Nation, you’re going to want to hear this one.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we share powerful stories of resilience, identity, and life after the game.Today’s guest is someone whose journey will stop you in your tracks.She’s a former #1 player in the country, recruited to two powerhouse programs, Duke University and University of Connecticut, and coached by legendary figures like Geno Auriemma.But this story isn’t just about accolades. It’s about identity. It’s about pressure.It’s about what happens when the game you love is taken from you.Three games into her freshman season at Duke, Britt blew out her knee on national television. What followed were multiple surgeries, a cadaver meniscus transplant, constant pain, mental exhaustion, and a battle with depression that led to a suicide attempt in her freshman year.And yet that is not where her story ends.After transferring to UConn, battling back through injury, and redefining what it meant to compete, Britt eventually transitioned beyond the court, earning her MBA from Vanderbilt, stepping into leadership at Microsoft, and now becoming a dynamic keynote speaker, executive coach, and candid storyteller.As she says best, she’s a “candid storyteller, period, full stop.” In this episode, we talk about:• What it’s really like to be the #1 recruit at 17 years old• The pressure of elite programs and managing identity beyond basketball• Navigating catastrophic injury and the mental toll that follows• Leadership, maturity, and owning your voice• Why entrepreneurship feels easier than surviving five years of knee surgeries• And how unlocking your strengths starts with radical honestyBritt’s story embodies what RU Strong is all about, not just surviving adversity, but redefining success on your own terms.Get ready for a raw, honest, and incredibly powerful conversation.This is one you don’t want to miss.Welcome to the show, Britt Hunter.

🎙 RU STRONG PODCASTWelcome back to the RU Strong Podcast!Today, we’ve got another Rutgers warrior joining us, a guy who helped build Rutgers Football during one of its most electric eras.From 2005 to 2008, when Rutgers was climbing into the Top 10 in the country.Team Captain in 2008, selected by his coaches and teammates.Winner of the Iron Knight Award for strength, speed, and performance.Recipient of the Frank Burns Award for extraordinary mental and physical toughness.Over 200 career tackles.Four bowl games, Texas Bowl, International Bowl, Papa John’s Bowl, St. Petersburg Bowl.And then, undrafted.But that didn’t stop him.He carved out a four-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars proving once again that heart, toughness, and preparation beat labels every time.But Kevin Malast’s story goes deeper than tackles and trophies.He battled adversity off the field during his freshman year when his brother suffered a life-changing accident. He learned resilience at a level most of us will never understand. He embraced special teams when others chased the spotlight. He lived “Keep Chopping” before it became a brand.Today, he brings that same locker-room leadership mindset to the business world as Vice President of Talent at Legend Agency, representing NFL players, coaches, and broadcasters, paying forward the mentorship he once received.This episode is about:• Joint suffering and brotherhood• Leadership earned, not given• Undrafted mentality• Perspective through adversity• And what it truly means to maximize your momentFrom Manchester Township to Rutgers captain.From 1–5 to seven straight wins.From undrafted to the NFL.From player to mentor.This one is powerful.Let’s chop it up with former Rutgers linebacker, NFL veteran, and leader in life after the gameKevin Malast.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we explore the mindset, resilience, and real stories behind elite performers on the field and in life.Today’s episode is one I’ve been fired up about.Our guest is JJ Birden, a former NFL wide receiver who played nine seasons in the league, at a time when the average career was less than three years. A two-sport athlete at the University of Oregon, JJ ran track on scholarship while also earning his way onto the football field, proving early on that discipline, belief, and preparation can beat labels and limitations.Despite being told he was “too small,” JJ carved out a career with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons, lining up against some of the greatest defensive players of all time and earning respect through relentless preparation, speed, and mental toughness.But what makes JJ’s story truly powerful is what came after the game.Today, he’s the founder of Team X88, a sought-after keynote speaker, and a leader focused on helping others navigate transition, redefine success, and build confidence beyond their comfort zone. His journey from being labeled an underdog, to thriving in the NFL, to walking away on his own terms, is a masterclass in identity, purpose, and life after sport.In this episode, we talk about:• What it really takes to survive in the NFL• The mental edge that separates talent from longevity• Preparing for life after the game while you’re still playing• Why underdogs often have the biggest advantageThis is a conversation every athlete, current or former needs to hear.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast.Today’s episode is a powerful one, especially for anyone who’s ever competed at a high level, battled injury, questioned their identity, or wondered what life looks like after the uniform comes off.I’m excited to welcome Kaitlyn Hall, a former Rutgers University gymnast whose journey is filled with resilience, perspective, and grit.Kaitlyn grew up in Raytown, Missouri, dedicating her life to gymnastics from a young age, including being homeschooled in seventh grade, so she could train twice a day. That commitment led her to compete at the highest levels of the sport, earning a full scholarship to Rutgers, competing in the Big Ten, and achieving 9.8+ scores across four different events, an elite accomplishment in collegiate gymnastics.But her story isn’t just about scores and accolades.Kaitlyn was a multiple-time Academic All–Big Ten honoree, a Most Improved Gymnast, recipient of the Coach’s Appreciation Award, and winner of the team’s Pom-Pom Award, an honor voted on by teammates for leadership, effort, and support. She also navigated multiple surgeries, including ACL injuries, the mental battle of “the twisties,” and the emotional toll of having her senior season and final meet unexpectedly end due to COVID.In this conversation, Kaitlyn opens up about:• The reality of being recruited at 15 years old• Having a scholarship pulled and finding purpose in the setback• The mental side of injuries and rehabilitation• Body image and weight pressures in gymnastics• The challenge of transitioning out of sport• And how athletics truly prepares you for life beyond competitionThis is an honest, real, and deeply meaningful conversation about what goes on behind the uniform, the sacrifices, the discipline, the pain, and ultimately, the growth.If you’re a current or former athlete or someone supporting one, you won’t want to miss this episode.🎧 Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast with Kaitlyn Hall.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast.Today’s guest is a true Jersey original, born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, who carved out one of the most iconic moments in Super Bowl history, but whose story goes far beyond one unforgettable play.He starred at Syracuse University, ranking among the program’s all-time leaders in receiving yards, blocking an incredible six punts, an achievement few players accomplish even once and earning recognition not just on the field, but in the classroom as a member of the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants, he went on to become a Pro Bowler, First-Team All-Pro, Giants Rookie of the Year, Super Bowl Champio and the man behind what the world knows as The Helmet Catch.But this episode isn’t just about football.Today we go deep into the real journey, identity, purpose, struggle, faith, fatherhood, and the transformation that took place when success on the field didn’t match fulfillment in life. We talk about the pressures athletes carry in silence, the cost of unaddressed pain, and what it truly means to rebuild your life with intention, humility, and service.This is a conversation about resilience, redemption, and becoming more than what the world applauds you for in your biggest moment.RU Strong family, this one is special.Please welcome Super Bowl Champion, Jersey native, and one of the most authentic voices in the athlete-transition space today… David Tyree

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast.Today’s episode is deeply personal.I’m joined by one of my former teammates, brothers, and lifelong friends from the University of Maine football program — a man whose life story defines resilience, faith, and the true meaning of strength.From battling through brutal preseason camps in Orono…to serving our country as a United States Marine…to playing professional football overseas…Troy Conquest has never backed down from adversity.But at just 29 years old, Troy’s life changed forever.Diagnosed with lupus, later paralyzed from the waist down, and told he would never walk again. Troy refused to accept that ending. Instead, he chose purpose over pity, faith over fear, and resilience over resentment.Now a 30-year lupus survivor, cancer survivor, and Paralympic gold medalist, Troy lives by one powerful mantra that was written on a hospital whiteboard years ago and tattooed on his arm ever since:“Never say never.”In this episode, Troy opens up about:• Growing up and being recruited to the University of Maine• The bonds forged through adversity and brotherhood• Lessons learned through football, the Marines, and life• Facing paralysis, illness, loss, and grief with unwavering faith• Why vulnerability is strength, especially for men• And how his transparency may save someone else’s lifeThis is not just a football story.This is not just a comeback story.This is a human story about identity, purpose, pain, and choosing to keep going when everything tells you to stop.If you’ve ever faced adversity…If you’ve ever questioned your strength…If you’ve ever wondered why me…This episode is for you.Let’s get into it.🎧 RU Strong — where resilience, mindset, and life after sports collide.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast.Today’s episode is one of the most powerful, emotional, and inspiring conversations we’ve ever shared.My guest is Anthony Pecorella a Division I football player, scholar, leader, and true embodiment of resilience.Anthony’s journey has taken him from competing on the biggest stages in college football to facing a battle far greater than anything he ever encountered on the field. A former Big Ten punter at the University of Maryland, a graduate of the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and a multi-time Academic All–Big Ten honoree, Anthony did everything the “right way.” He earned his spot, earned his scholarship, and earned the respect of everyone around him.Then, at just 22 years old, everything changed.What started as a routine medical check turned into a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. Overnight, football took a back seat to survival. Training camp became chemotherapy. Stadium lights were replaced by hospital rooms. And the future he had planned was suddenly uncertain.But Anthony didn’t just fight, he led.Throughout his cancer journey, he became a voice for resilience, vulnerability, and mental health. He deepened his commitment to service through Team IMPACT, helping connect college teams with children battling life-threatening illnesses. He founded and expanded initiatives focused on student-athlete mental health. And even in the hardest moments, he found purpose in lifting others.Against all odds, Anthony returned to the field, suiting up once again as a University of Maine Black Bear, more than a thousand days after his last snap. Not just as an athlete, but as a changed man, grounded, grateful, and driven by something bigger than football.This episode isn’t just about sports.It’s about perspective.It’s about family.It’s about faith.It’s about finding meaning through adversity.And it’s about becoming a better human being through the toughest chapters of life.This is a story that every athlete, parent, coach, and leader needs to hear.RU Strong family, welcome to an unforgettable conversation with Anthony Pecorella.