The Full Tilt Podcast

USA Women’s National Team Coach Terry Steiner sits down with Hatch live at USA Wrestling’s new national office to talk about work ethic, Dan Gable, Randy Lewis, the birth of women’s wrestling in America, and what it will take for Team USA to finally dominate the world. From grinding in Bismarck, ND, to winning an NCAA title at Iowa, to leading a once‑unpopular women’s program into Olympic glory, Terry shares raw stories, coaching philosophy, and what “significance” really means at this stage of his life. Timed Highlights: 0:00 Intro, sponsor read (Custom Community) and Full Tilt open 2:10 Inside USA Wrestling’s new national office and why the environment matters 8:30 Bismarck roots, twin life with Troy, and the family work ethic 18:00 Coach Milo Trusty and falling in love with wrestling 26:30 From North Dakota to Iowa: Randy Lewis, Gable, and getting recruited 37:45 First months in the Iowa room: getting beat up and learning you belong 50:30 Big Ten loss, sports psych breakthrough, and the run to an NCAA title 1:04:15 Leaving men’s college coaching and saying yes to USA Women’s National Team 1:18:40 Early backlash to women’s wrestling and changing minds in the sport 1:32:10 Helen Maroulis, Adeline Gray, and the rise of Team USA’s women 1:45:00 Three phases of life: survival, success, and significance If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com https://customcommunity.com ItsYourShow.co

USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach and World Champion Bill Zadick sits down with Hatch for a long-form, deep dive into wrestling, coaching, and what it really takes to chase a world title for a decade. From Montana living-room “world title” matches and legendary camps in Oregon, to the crucible of the Iowa wrestling room under Dan Gable, Bill unpacks the culture, mentors, and moments that shaped him. He shares stories about John Smith, Daniel Cormier, the explosion of RTCs, and why grassroots state leaders and kids who go 0–2 at Fargo still matter to the future of USA Wrestling. Perfect for wrestlers, coaches, and anyone who geeks out on the hidden architecture behind world‑level success. Timed Highlights: 00:00 – Custom Community intro and Jim welcomes USA Wrestling’s Bill Zadick to Full Tilt 04:30 – Montana roots: long drives, competitive brothers, and early wrestling culture out West 11:45 – Campbell family, “Junkyard Dogs,” and the birth of Zadick Fanatics camp 19:10 – USA Oregon / Cobra days: spandex singlets, Nike plugs, and “Making of a Champion” binders 27:40 – Mental training, Zig Ziglar tapes, and how youth camps shaped national champs 34:05 – Choosing Iowa: following Gable’s dynasty, John Smith’s influence, and new‑school vs old‑school 42:00 – First days in the Iowa room: getting humbled, 10 All‑Americans, and the power of environment 50:15 – Dan Gable stories: mystery bar graphs, “one more of these,” and Russian sauna days 58:30 – Heavyweights and legends: Gerhard Himmel, John Osendorf, and watching Gable rule the room 1:06:20 – Daniel Cormier as wrestler, coach, and ambassador; why DC still shows up for kids’ events 1:14:10 – Grinding for a decade: how Bill went from NCAA champ to 2006 World Champion at 66 kg 1:23:45 – Bad rules, clinch balls, and why today’s freestyle is so much better to watch 1:30:00 – Transition to coaching: developmental roles, RTCs, and building a sustainable pipeline 1:38:20 – State leaders, Fargo, and why 0–2 kids are still a huge win for USA Wrestling 1:46:00 – Responsibility, legacy, and using wrestling to change kids’ lives beyond medals 1:52:30 – Growing up with Mike Zadick, uncle Mike stories, and the future of Zadick Brothers Camps 1:58:40 – Closing: Full Tilt, storytelling in wrestling, and what’s next for USA Wrestling and Bill If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Associate head coach Derek St. John and Iowa State’s inaugural women’s head coach Alli St. John sit down on the Full Tilt Podcast to talk about building a D1 wrestling powerhouse on both the men’s and women’s sides. They dive into Alli’s journey from three-sport Illinois athlete to world silver medalist and trailblazing college coach, Derek’s path from Iowa state champ to NCAA champion and top-tier D1 coach, and how the Iowa State Regional Training Center is developing future world and Olympic medalists. From the explosion of girls’ wrestling at Fargo, to recruiting entire wrestling families, to the lasting impact of legends like Terry Steiner, Nate Carr, and the late Mark Ryland, this episode is a deep look at where wrestling is right now—and where it’s going. Timed highlights: 00:00 – Opening ad read: Hatch and Custom Community, Full Tilt intro, and setting up the “power couple” episode 03:10 – Alli and Derek’s roles at Iowa State and Derek’s recent Glen Brand Hall of Fame induction 08:20 – How the Iowa State women’s wrestling program came to life after gymnastics was dropped 12:45 – Women’s wrestling boom at Fargo and how the depth and level have exploded 18:05 – Alli’s path: three-sport athlete in Carbondale, IL, wrestling mostly boys, and qualifying for boys’ state 24:30 – Choosing King University over Oklahoma City, building a powerhouse team with future world and Olympic medalists 30:40 – WCWA explained and how the women’s college landscape has evolved into NAIA and NCAA divisions 36:00 – What it felt like wrestling in boys’ brackets with future stars like Tony Ramos, Ellis Coleman, and Zain Richards 43:10 – Transitioning to freestyle and the importance of getting girls international experience early 48:20 – Inside Japanese women’s wrestling: militant training, technical perfection, and why they dominate 55:00 – Alli’s Team USA years, training under Terry Steiner, and learning to coach every type of athlete 01:02:15 – How Alli and Derek met during COVID, long-distance while she was at HWC/Sunkist, and moving to Ames 01:08:40 – Building Iowa State women’s wrestling: fundraising, donor relations, and being “director of event management” 01:15:00 – Adding women’s wrestling vs. women’s flag football, and what it means for the sport in Iowa 01:21:30 – Recruiting, culture, and stealing staff from William Penn; why they’re excited about athletes like Piper Fowler 01:28:10 – RTC vision: men and women training together, building a unified CRTC to chase world and Olympic medals 01:35:00 – Brother–sister recruiting, families getting “one stop shop,” and how that changes the sales pitch 01:40:30 – The Carr legacy: Nate’s mentality, David’s selflessness in the room, and their impact on Iowa State 01:47:25 – Derek’s high school days at Iowa City West, powerhouse teams, and rivalry with Waverly-Shell Rock and City High 01:53:40 – Remembering coach Mark Ryland and the Ryland family’s impact on Derek’s life and career 01:58:30 – Walking into the Iowa room as a freshman: getting thrown to the wolves and learning from guys like Metcalf and Borschel 02:05:00 – Toughest college opponents: breaking down what made Kyle Dake and David Taylor so hard to wrestle 02:11:20 – How Tom Brands nudged Derek into coaching, early success at North Dakota State, and then Virginia Tech 02:18:00 – The wild transition when Dresser left for Iowa State mid-season and why Derek chose to follow later 02:24:15 – Growing the crowd in Ames, dual meet atmosphere, and why Iowa State is built for big-time wrestling 02:29:30 – Final reflections on growth of women’s wrestling, saving men’s programs, and what’s next for Iowa State If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com ItsYourShow.co

Appalachian State head coach JohnMark Bentley joins Hatch on the Full Tilt Podcast to pull back the curtain on one of the most overachieving programs in Division I wrestling. From running one of the largest team camps in the country to funding staff and facilities through camp revenue, Bentley explains how a “small” program competes with the big boys year after year. He shares his unconventional start in wrestling as a sixth-grade workout partner, his days battling at North Carolina and Oklahoma State, and the hard lessons that shaped his coaching philosophy. Bentley also talks about recruiting under-the-radar kids, navigating NIL and the transfer portal as a mid-major, rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, and the emotional challenge of coaching his own son. If you care about wrestling culture, blue-collar development, and doing more with less, this is a masterclass in building and sustaining a winning program. Timed highlights: 0:00 Intro and Custom Community read 2:00 How App State built one of the largest wrestling team camps in the country 7:40 Using camp revenue to fund assistants, travel, facilities, and program growth 14:05 Structure, organization, and why coaches keep coming back every summer 19:30 Relationship-building with high school coaches and why it matters in recruiting and camps 25:10 JohnMark’s unlikely start in wrestling as a sixth-grade workout partner 33:00 Growing up in rural North Carolina and becoming a four-time undefeated state champ 42:15 First trips to national events, Fargo, and the legendary Iowa intensive camp 51:20 Wrestling at North Carolina, Midlands stories, and the influence of T.J. Jaworski 1:01:00 Transfer to Oklahoma State, injuries, and the gap between expectations and reality 1:10:25 Early coaching at Davidson and the grind of making it work financially 1:16:40 Building App State: Blevins, Trotman, and finally getting over the All-American hump 1:27:30 Recruiting “non-traditional” states and finding tough, under-the-radar kids 1:36:00 Culture, core beliefs, and why delayed gratification drives the program 1:44:30 The transfer portal, NIL, and how a mid-major survives in the new era 1:53:20 Scheduling bigger programs and the problem with top teams ducking big matchups 2:01:40 Building a rabid fan base and grassroots youth efforts in Boone 2:09:00 Hurricane Helene, flooding, losing the wrestling room and locker room, and rebuilding 2:17:40 Coaching his son Luke: the 20-minute rule, dad vs coach, and long-term perspective 2:27:10 Legacy, what JohnMark wants people to say about him, and golf with recruits If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Two-time NCAA champion and wrestling innovator Carl Adams joins the Full Tilt Podcast to share his journey from tough Long Island roots to Iowa State legend, world-level freestyle contender, and pioneering equipment designer. Carl breaks down how work ethic, family, and fearless competition shaped his career, what it was really like wrestling Dan Gable, and how the Adam machine changed wrestling rooms across the country. Timed Highlights: 0:00 Cold open: Hatch and Custom Community intro 0:49 Meet Carl Adams: Innovator and retired coach who never left the sport 3:01 Discovering wrestling after a trip to Madison Square Garden 5:22 Dominating junior high and high school, New York state champion 6:41 High school rivalries, packed duals, and the influence of Coach Campo 9:22 Hard work at home: potatoes, landscaping, and learning toughness 12:41 The dream that became the Adam machine 15:21 Iowa State, Nichols Wrestling Products, and early innovation 18:01 Why takedowns and repetition drove the Adam concept 21:06 Constantly improving the Adam machine and going worldwide 23:06 Coach Campo’s impact and arriving at Iowa State “already there” 35:25 Inside the old Big Eight: brutal conference, national titles, and the “Big 8 jinx” 41:11 First time wrestling Dan Gable and learning what true toughness is 48:52 How Gable changed the entire world of wrestling 52:47 Wrestling for Harold Nichols and the power of recruiting 54:58 Winning NCAA titles and beating Stan Dziedzic in the finals 1:03:24 Bobby Douglas as mentor and how he reshaped Carl’s takedown game 1:04:31 Building camps, writing books, and teaching 20,000 wrestlers 1:12:18 Beating Wade Schalles five times and the importance of speed 1:18:25 Gable as the most influential figure in Carl’s wrestling life 1:20:50 How Carl Adams stacks up against today’s stars 1:23:52 Mental toughness of Dake, Burroughs, Taylor, Snyder and the new generation If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com Produced by: ItsYourShow.co

Olympic champion Ben Peterson sits down with Full Tilt to unpack a lifetime on the mat: from a Wisconsin dairy farm to Iowa State’s glory years, brutal training sessions with Dan Gable, winning Olympic gold during the Cold War, and how faith and family shaped every step of his journey. Ben shares vivid stories of surviving “meat-grinder” rooms at Iowa State, outworking the world with Gable and his brother John, his rivalry and later friendship with Russ Hellickson, the heartbreak and perspective of the 1980 Olympic boycott, and the truth behind the famous Peterson roll. He also opens up about a life-changing injury at 12 years old and how it forged his faith. Perfect for wrestlers, coaches, and anyone who wants a masterclass in work ethic, resilience, and purpose. Timed highlights: 0:49 Meet Ben Peterson and the Gable connection 1:50 Childhood on the farm and learning to work 4:45 Meeting Carl Adams and redefining “hard work” 7:19 Becoming co-captains at Iowa State during a turbulent era 10:18 Learning to handle 425-pound Chris Taylor 12:26 How the Peterson brothers found wrestling 14:11 Inside Iowa State’s golden era and coaching staff 22:20 Practice-room culture: getting broken without being belittled 30:40 What it was like wrestling Dan Gable multiple times a week 34:43 Transitioning to freestyle and chasing the Olympics 38:12 Beating Russ Hellickson and making the 1972 Olympic team 48:05 Battling Levan Tediashvili and building respect with Soviet greats 52:34 Ben’s perspective on the 1980 boycott and the fall of the USSR 1:02:41 The accident, the broken leg, and how it deepened his faith 1:16:20 The state finals loss that taught him about position and family 1:27:40 Why he calls his medals “Cold War medals” 1:35:32 Backyard boxing rings, homemade fields, and a basement weight room 1:50:46 Who was the toughest wrestler he ever faced? 1:54:16 The Peterson roll origin story 2:03:45 Why he still loves being around kids at tournaments like Fargo If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com Produced by: ItsYourShow.co

Wrestlers, coaches, and fans are going to eat this one up. Live from Fargo, the Full Tilt Podcast sits down with USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender to unpack how girls’ and women’s wrestling exploded, how wrestling got kicked out of the Olympic Games and clawed its way back in, and why the sport’s future has never looked brighter. Rich walks through his journey from small‑town Wisconsin kid to the most influential administrative seat in American wrestling, the politics inside the IOC, what really happened behind the “wrestling dropped from the Olympics” headlines, and the critical role that clubs, RTCs, and state leaders play in building the sport from the ground up. If you care about Fargo, the Olympic movement, or just love great wrestling stories from Iran to Atlanta to Paris, this episode is your blueprint for where the sport has been and where it’s going. Timed Highlights: 3:05 – 1988: Rich’s first USA Wrestling internship and the first women’s world team 4:35 – Early headwinds: girls wrestling boys, culture, religion and growing to scale 5:40 – Hiring Terry Steiner: how USA Wrestling landed the perfect women’s coach 7:10 – Steiner’s impact and becoming the top women’s coach on the planet 8:40 – The Steiner brothers, North Dakota roots and the Teddy Roosevelt Award 10:45 – National team coaches in the RTC era: relationships, trust and humility 13:20 – How RTCs changed everything for elite training in the U.S. 16:00 – Building around personal coaches instead of stealing the spotlight 16:47 – Women’s wrestling enters the Olympics in 2004 and the strategy behind it 18:00 – Why Olympic status came before NCAA and high school recognition 19:40 – Technical jump in women’s wrestling and why it’s no longer “junior high” level 20:22 – Club culture, private academies and the professionalization of wrestling 21:13 – From taboo to business: making a living in wrestling without apologizing 22:20 – Specialization, youth clubs and the balance between opportunity and burnout 23:19 – Donors, business success and why ex‑wrestlers give back so hard 24:19 – Rich’s origin story: small‑town Wisconsin, three‑sport athlete and “wrestling, wrestling, wrestling” report card 26:14 – From old‑timer tournaments to landing a USA Wrestling internship 27:56 – Showing up in Colorado Springs only to be told “we’re not having an intern” 30:31 – How one phone call and a Wisconsin connection saved his career 31:35 – Working up from events intern to Executive Director 33:07 – USA Wrestling’s near‑collapse in the early 90s and what turned it around 35:35 – Enter Jim Scherr: hard cuts, tough calls and rebuilding the organization 36:00 – Bill Zadick, leadership, and getting wrestling back on the Olympic program 36:47 – Inside story: how wrestling got voted off the Olympic program in 2013 39:00 – Governance failures, disrespecting the IOC and the perfect storm 40:32 – Strategy shift: making the IOC look good instead of fighting them 41:45 – Forcing the re‑vote and getting back in the race with other sports 43:13 – Overhauling rules, officiating and athlete representation 44:40 – How new leadership at the international federation changed everything 44:53 – Why having someone “in the room” at the IOC matters 47:21 – Global reach: wrestling and medal distribution across the world 48:20 – Rules, reviews and finally cleaning up bad officiating 49:53 – The Kerry McCoy 1997 Tehran heartbreaker and a world title lost in protest 54:03 – From back‑room protests to video review and real accountability 55:56 – Integrity, COVID and why wrestling wasn’t a super‑spreader 57:36 – Running large events safely during the pandemic and surprising data 59:46 – Being around legends: Gable, Schultz, John Smith, Steiner and more 1:00:02 – John Smith and Rich: same birthday, very different paths 1:01:18 – Funniest, most charismatic personalities in USA Wrestling 1:02:01 – Dave Schultz stories and the “when life gives you a lemon, you eat it” line 1:02:58 – Overseas chaos: travel in Russia, sketchy airports and getting to worlds 1:05:01 – Rulon vs Karelin in Sydney: the true story behind the overturned call 1:07:25 – Kyle Snyder beating Sadulaev in Paris and the aftermath 1:08:29 – Weddings and funerals: how wrestling tournaments feel emotionally 1:11:00 – Back in Fargo: juggling state chair duties, club coaching and podcasting 1:12:31 – Why Fargo changes kids, even if they go 0–2 1:14:15 – Data that connects Fargo and Junior Nationals to NCAA and world success 1:16:34 – Tennessee’s growth: from a dozen kids to a three‑digit delegation 1:17:46 – Cleveland, Tennessee shoutouts and Greco finalists from the state 1:18:29 – Traveling to Iran: hospitality, security and wrestling as diplomacy 1:20:48 – The first U.S. team back in Iran after the revolution 1:22:21 – Jordan Burroughs as a global superstar and fan reactions abroad 1:23:12 – World Cup in Kermanshah: USA vs Iran in a wild team race 1:25:02 – Electric environments: Iran, Paris, Atlanta and Olympic arenas 1:28:07 – More crazy travel: checking bags, magnetometers and chickens in Russia 1:31:42 – Royce Alger stories and why characters like him keep the sport fun 1:33:27 – USA Wrestling’s four core pillars: brand, base, community, teams 1:35:16 – Governance, state chapters and why bad governance kills sports 1:37:36 – The tension between elite focus and serving the entire membership 1:39:28 – State leadership realities: volunteers, criticism and doing it for the kids 1:41:34 – Passing wealth vs passing wisdom: what wrestling has figured out 1:43:21 – Why USA Wrestling is the model NGB in the Olympic movement 1:45:34 – The importance of infrastructure and running wrestling like a business 1:48:31 – Rich’s praise for staff and why they’re the engine behind the scenes 1:50:05 – Hosting U23 Worlds and Senior Worlds in the U.S.: why it matters 1:53:54 – The real economics of hosting world championships in Vegas 1:58:49 – LA 2028: qualifying, home‑mat advantage and big‑picture strategy 2:00:35 – Wrestling as Team USA’s No. 3 all‑time medal sport 2:03:36 – High school and college infrastructure: why the U.S. should dominate 2:03:54 – “We’re on the precipice of the golden age of our sport” 2:04:18 – Closing: gratitude, leadership and why wrestling’s best days are ahead If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Chael Sonnen sits down with Hatch for a nonstop tour through American wrestling history and culture. From overlooked legends like Oscar Wood and Sean Hage to the mythology of John Smith, Kenny Monday, and the Brands brothers, this episode is wall-to-wall stories, rivalries, technique talk, and behind-the-scenes moments you’ve never heard before. They dive into Fargo, the Iowa room in the 90s, real pro wrestling leagues, RAF, and why some of the greatest careers were built on heartbreak instead of gold medals. Timed Highlights: 00:00:00 Hatch Custom Community intro and Full Tilt setup 00:01:10 Alan Freed, Oscar Wood, and forgotten high school greatness 00:03:14 Oscar Wood’s Olympic run, head pinch, and making the team “without training” 00:06:45 Kerry Colat, stolen medals, and the lawsuit that never was 00:10:41 Brands vs Colat, Ironside wars, and life inside the Iowa room 00:15:04 Why Fargo is still the real national championship 00:18:38 The case for Sean Hage as the greatest high school wrestler ever 00:22:26 Antonio McKee’s legendary room stories and the “did he beat John Smith?” question 00:29:48 Is John Smith the greatest American wrestler of all time? 00:31:26 How Smith innovated technique and changed wrestling forever 00:39:45 Dave Schultz, lost golds, and the “this is for the Olympic title” story 00:43:26 Tom and Terry Brands: villains from afar, heroes up close 00:50:30 Kale Sanderson vs the field: dominance, D1 resumes, and the 2009 comeback 01:07:19 Les Gutches, the toughest guy Chael ever felt 01:16:58 High school and college coaches as culture builders and fundraisers 01:36:40 Chael’s unconventional par terre defense and demo in the Iowa room 01:42:53 Inside RAF: big production, big matchups, and building a real pro league 01:50:01 Bo Bassett, Jax Forrest, and the future of American wrestling 01:56:22 Closing: why wrestling needs big stories, big leaders, and big stages If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com Produced by: ItsYourShow.co

Wrestling legend Cary Kolat sits down with Hatch to unpack a lifetime on the mat—from Western PA youth phenom and world medalist to program builder at Campbell and the U.S. Naval Academy. Kolat goes deep on mindset, training, the 2000 Olympic controversy, building Kolat.com, and what it really takes to develop champions today. Timed Highlights: 0:00 Opening: Hatch & Custom Community spot; setting the tone for Full Tilt 0:50 The “hate era” of 90s wrestling and how social media might’ve changed everything 3:00 Western PA roots, early beatdowns, AAU title, and discovering Dan Gable 5:25 Carl Adams books, takedown machine, and building skill without video 8:45 Pennsylvania wrestling culture, PJWs, Hershey, and pressure from age 8 13:40 Work ethic, coal country toughness, and learning to love hard training 19:20 Freestyle summers, TOSS club, Soviets, and why he skipped Fargo for Foxcatcher 25:45 Midlands as a high-schooler: petitions, JUCO hammers, and battling back for third 31:10 College choices: Clarion, Minnesota, and why he ultimately picked Penn State 36:50 Training with Jamil Kelly, Alan Freed, Chris Bono, and what those rivals exposed 46:30 Best domestic opponents, learning from John Fisher, and solving difficult styles 51:00 First Worlds, style shock, and the infamous Iranian shoelace final in 1997 1:03:00 1998–1999 Worlds: bad calls, protests, separated shoulder, and still forcing his way into the finals 1:11:20 Terry Brands’ injuries, missed weight, and the reality behind those world teams 1:17:40 Sydney 2000: feeling at his absolute peak, clinch rules, and living with the outcome 1:25:40 The two performances he’s proudest of and what they taught him about grit 1:31:00 Building Colat.com: from DVD headaches to a thousand-technique online library 1:37:00 Strength training then vs now, and why he thinks max lifting is wrecking wrestlers’ bodies 1:41:30 Training with Lincoln McIlravy and John Smith: pace, pressure, and brutal honesty 1:55:40 Taking over Campbell: tiny budget, no tradition, and building belief from an hour a day 2:03:40 Campbell’s rise, the hotbox duals, and turning a “nowhere” program into a national story 2:08:15 Why Navy: debunking Academy myths and explaining the 70/30 lifestyle 2:18:00 Day-in-the-life of a Navy wrestler: training windows, academics, and built-in support 2:23:30 Honor, accountability, and why Naval Academy grads don’t job hunt like everyone else 2:35:00 Wild international stories from Cuba, Krasnoyarsk, Macedonia, and Iran’s wrestling-crazy fans If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com Produced by: ItsYourShow.co

Brent Metcalf joins the Full Tilt Podcast for a deep dive into one of wrestling’s most respected minds. He walks through the legendary Davidson, Michigan room with Roy Hall, his undefeated high school career and Fargo dominance, the Virginia Tech-to-Iowa transfer storm, Carver-Hawkeye showdowns, wild overseas trips to Russia, Dagestan, and Iran, and why he believes in “chasing losing” to become the best. Metcalf also breaks down his relationship with Jordan Burroughs, what he’s learned from Kevin Dresser, coaching David Carr, and his vision for turning Iowa State into a world-level factory. Timed Highlights: 00:49 New Cyclone head coach Brent Metcalf joins the show 02:12 How a public school in Michigan built three NCAA champs 06:37 Seventh grader in high school practice and free open rooms 09:11 Six Fargo titles, chasing tough brackets, and never protecting a record 15:24 Big Ten battles with Dustin Schlater 16:04 Following Tom Brands, Virginia Tech days, and transfer controversy 19:12 Losing a year, going overseas, and realizing he could beat world champs 22:31 Why getting beat can be the best thing for young wrestlers 27:25 Culture and accountability inside the Iowa room 33:18 Training with Borschel, Morningstar, Montell and others 35:34 Carver-Hawkeye roar vs World Cup in Iran 47:20 The reality of his international career: big wins, no medals 53:15 Beating Sidakov, wrestling Yaminitsu, and getting schooled by Gadzalov 58:06 The Iran World Cup: 15,000 fans, drums, and staying through intermission 1:09:03 Sketchy trips to Dagestan and early overseas experiences 1:16:18 Turning down other college jobs to support his wife’s PhD 1:19:26 The call from Kevin Dresser that brought him to Ames 1:27:03 What Metcalf learned from Dresser about building programs and fanbases 1:30:57 His vision for Cyclone Wrestling and putting guys on the world wall 1:38:30 Coaching David Carr and “failing forward” at the senior level 1:40:48 Roy Hall, his parents, and the legacy he wants his wrestlers to build If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com Produced by: ItsYourShow.co

Jeff McGinness sits down to go full tilt on his journey from Iowa City mat rat to Hawkeye legend, and how that path eventually led him to build a powerhouse women’s program at Simpson College. From brutal 90s Iowa room stories to modern sports science, NIL, and recruiting women in a fast-changing landscape, this is a deep dive into what greatness really looks like in wrestling. Timed highlights: 01:00 – Reuniting in the studio and early days in the Iowa room 04:30 – Training under Gable, Brands, J Rob, and the “old torture equipment” 09:45 – Late-blooming greatness: when wrestling finally “clicked” for Jeff 17:15 – Cadets, Juniors, and winning Junior Worlds at 16 23:30 – Freestyle vs Greco, learning to throw, and why Greco guys are different 31:00 – Iowa high school culture, hazing, leadership, and growing up fast 39:10 – The pressure of chasing perfection and how weight cutting nearly broke him 46:20 – Midlands war stories, massive cuts, and learning the hard way 54:00 – Strategy vs athleticism: beating better athletes by being smarter 1:03:20 – Abe, Henson, Cunningham, and Jeff’s toughest college rivals 1:12:10 – Life after Iowa: law school, senior-level runs, and walking away too early 1:20:40 – Finding coaching again, loss in the family, and saying yes to Simpson 1:27:30 – Why Jeff chose women’s wrestling and the trust-over-respect difference 1:34:30 – Building a non-scholarship winner in a scholarship world 1:43:10 – NIL, transfer portal, and why loyalty is disappearing from college sports 1:51:40 – The wild 90s: Russian saunas, boxing gloves, and stories you couldn’t tell today 1:59:30 – The people, the fans, and the legacy Jeff wants to leave in women’s wrestling If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Olympic gold medalist and three-time Olympian Kenny Monday sits down to go full tilt on a lifetime in wrestling. From getting beat up as the smallest kid in the Tulsa YMCA room to conquering the brutal Tbilisi tournament and winning Olympic gold, Kenny breaks down the mindset, rivalries, and turning points that shaped his career. He shares inside stories on his legendary battles with Nate Carr and Dave Schultz, what it took to finally crack the “Russian code,” and how he’s now rebuilding Division I wrestling at Morgan State, an HBCU with deep history in the sport. We also get personal: raising wrestling sons, coaching in today’s NIL era, and why this is the best time ever to be a wrestler. If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com Timed highlights: 0:00 Custom Community ad and Full Tilt intro 0:49 Why Kenny Monday was a “must have” guest 2:20 Growing up in North Tulsa and discovering wrestling at the YMCA 5:19 Getting beat up daily as the smallest kid – and the power of “don’t quit” 9:11 His mother’s belief and building a lifelong belief system 10:25 Oklahoma as a wrestling hotbed and the Park System dual meets 13:16 Junior Olympics/Tulsa Nationals and early rivalries 22:10 Winning Junior Nationals as a freshman and high school dominance 26:20 The only blemish in high school and rivalry with Mike Sheets 28:47 Choosing Oklahoma State over Oklahoma and early college struggles 39:12 The worst beating he ever took in a practice room 44:40 The Kenny Monday vs Nate Carr rivalry – 11 matches and mutual respect 55:45 Learning freestyle and getting humbled in Russia 58:52 Surviving and then winning the brutal Tbilisi tournament 1:20:35 Beating world and Olympic champions: Variev, Fadzaev, and others 1:35:12 The politics, weigh‑in controversy, and World Team trials gauntlet 1:43:57 Hyperextending his elbow days before the 1992 Olympics 1:49:41 Which year was “peak” Kenny Monday? 1:56:25 Training with John Smith and the evolution of the low single 2:06:55 Rebuilding Morgan State wrestling and joining the EIWA 2:15:06 Coaching his sons and the pressure of being “Monday’s kids” 2:25:18 The Copenhagen nightclub dance contest story #Wrestling #KennyMonday #FullTiltPodcast #Olympics #MorganState #NCAAWrestling #NateCarr #DaveSchultz #WrestlingHistory

Barry Davis is a three-time NCAA champion, Olympic silver medalist, and one of the most beloved figures in American wrestling. But before the medals and banners, he was a kid at the YMCA in Cedar Rapids getting hooked on the sport — and grabbing wall charts at youth tournaments. In this episode of the Full Tilt Podcast, Barry and I go back 47 years: from Prairie High School rivalries and the infamous dungeon wrestling room, to the legendary Iowa rooms with Dan Gable, brutal weight cuts to 118, international travel behind the Iron Curtain, and the mindset that carried him through world championships and the Olympics. We also dive into his coaching career, his faith, and why he believes wrestling should be the model sport for character and leadership. Timestamps: 0:49 How Barry helped start my wrestling journey 3:41 YMCA practices and the early Iowa kids’ tournaments 8:45 The fourth-grade dream: wanting to be like Dan Gable 12:15 Getting pounded in high school, then flipping the switch 18:16 Prairie’s infamous dungeon wrestling room 21:23 Metro rivalries: Prairie vs Jefferson, Washington, Kennedy 24:10 Scouting opponents before streaming and social media 28:09 Where Barry’s passion and intensity came from 35:14 The Zaleski brothers and the Prairie–Iowa pipeline 42:00 First shocks in the Iowa room and learning mat wrestling 49:23 The moment everything “clicked” and Barry took off 1:02:36 Why keeping your work ethic after you get good is everything 1:19:25 The Hy-Vee story: almost walking away at Big Tens 1:49:06 Balancing college wrestling with World and Olympic teams 2:01:14 Olympic battles, Soviet greats, and the 1984 silver 2:08:11 Coaching, faith, and being a role model in the sport 2:16:16 WWTO and helping young athletes become leaders in life If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Jamil Kelly’s wrestling story doesn’t follow the usual script. He wasn’t a blue‑chip recruit. He didn’t win an NCAA title. But he did become an Olympic silver medalist and one of the most respected coaches in the sport. In this episode of the Full Tilt Podcast, we cover Jamil’s entire arc: – Growing up in Atwater, CA and getting pulled into wrestling as a late starter – Learning from VHS tapes, “How Low Can You Go,” and studying the greats – JUCO life at Lassen with future D1 and international stars – Transitioning to Oklahoma State under John Smith and battling the mental side of confidence – Wrestling Lightner, Guerrero, Ironside, Schmidt and living through the Bedlam era – Training with Colet and the 2000 Olympic Team and realizing the Olympics were possible – Beating Lincoln McIlravy, qualifying for Athens, and winning Olympic silver – Coaching at Harvard, Stanford, Arizona State, UNC, and in the corner for world champion Trent Hidlay It’s a masterclass in belief, persistence, and what it really takes to “know what it looks like” at the highest level of wrestling. Timestamps: 04:15 – Growing up in Atwater, CA and getting “talked into” wrestling as a 4'11" freshman football player 12:40 – VHS tapes, “How Low Can You Go,” and learning wrestling by rewinding John Smith a thousand times 21:10 – From non‑power high school to California state podium and finding JUCO powerhouse Lassen College 32:00 – Life at Lassen: TJ Williams, Reggie Wright, Belarusian hammers, and turning JUCO into a D1 factory 41:30 – The Oklahoma State visit during World Cup, choosing the Cowboys, and first reality check in the OSU room 53:00 – Mental battles in college: wrestling not to lose, Lightner stories, and what held Jamil back at NCAAs 1:03:30 – How training with Colet, Terry Brands, and the 2000 Olympic Team made the Olympics feel possible 1:13:00 – Beating Lincoln McIlravy at the 2004 Trials, game-planning the Russian, and winning Olympic silver 1:22:00 – Coaching chapter: Harvard culture shock, building trust with athletes, and the “odd couple” partnership with Trent Hidlay 1:25:30 – What Jamil wants wrestlers and coaches to take away about belief, preparation, and “knowing what it looks like” If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Three-time NCAA champion and Olympic medalist Nate Carr joins Full Tilt to share how a house of 16 kids, a pastor dad, and a wrestling-obsessed family forged one of the greatest legacies in American wrestling. Nate breaks down his classic battles with Kenny Monday, the influence of Coach Nichols and the Gatsons, and what he learned competing against Soviet greats on the world stage. He also goes deep on mindset, visualization, and faith, revealing the mental tools he used to win and how he now uses them to coach the next generation, including his son and NCAA champion David Carr. This is a masterclass in building champions in sport and in life. Timed Highlights: 00:00 Growing up in a 16-kid wrestling family in Erie, PA 06:30 Family rivalry, All-Americans, Olympians, and broken furniture stories 13:30 Setting goals to become the best wrestler in the family and a national champion 19:00 Why Nate chose Iowa State over Iowa and the power of winning over mom in recruiting 25:30 Coach Harold Nichols, legendary workout rooms, and tough practice stories 33:00 Classic Iowa vs Iowa State battles and early college rivalries 38:30 Scott Trizzino, Jay Robinson, and fueling the Iowa–Iowa State rivalry 44:00 Kenny Monday rivalries, overtime NCAA finals, and epic trash talk 52:00 Making the World Team, 1984 Olympic Trials heartbreak, and coming back for 1988 59:00 Wrestling Soviet legend Arsen Fadzaev and what made the Russians different 1:06:00 What Americans learned (and missed) from Soviet training systems 1:11:00 Coaching philosophy: purpose-driven practice, mindset, and self-talk 1:18:00 The visualization exercise Nate used before wrestling Kenny Monday 1:24:00 Coaching David Carr, raising seven kids, and being a “professional encourager” 1:28:00 Faith, purpose, and why failure does not make you a failure If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

World champion, Olympic medalist, and finance executive Bill Scherr joins the show for a deep dive into one of the most fascinating careers in wrestling history. Bill shares how baling hay in rural South Dakota built his strength, why Randy Lewis changed what South Dakota kids believed was possible, and how Nebraska went from “death’s door” to national trophy contender. He breaks down Soviet dominance, Iranian passion for the sport, training under legends like Dan Gable and Jay Robinson, and the brutal art of “Red Flag Days.” Bill also talks about his success in both freestyle and Greco, moving up to 220 for the good of Team USA, coaching the women’s national team, and chairing the global effort that brought wrestling back into the Olympic Games. If you love old-school war stories, high-level strategy, and big-picture thinking about the future of wrestling, this one’s loaded front to back. Timestamps: 02:13 Growing up in Mobridge, South Dakota, big family, farm work 05:34 South Dakota wrestling culture, influence of Randy Lewis 07:52 Rapid City dual: Randy pins Alexiev, arena explodes 10:09 How youth wrestling has evolved with better training and media 13:52 Choosing Nebraska, Lewis family connection, rebuilding the program 16:20 “Murderers Row” at Nebraska and comeback dual wins 17:29 College rivals: Pete Bush, Ed Banach, classic matches 21:13 Dan Gable stories and the congratulatory letter after 1985 worlds 22:18 Dave Schultz’s curiosity, learning from everyone, Book of Five Rings 25:48 Jay Robinson, visualization, and “fatigue is your friend” 27:39 Red Flag Days and training to get tired 32:03 1981: four national finals in a few weeks (AAU vs USWF) 38:24 Greco success, Frazier, Hauck, and choosing freestyle 47:11 Wrestling the Soviets: strength, systems, regional styles 52:03 Iranians, politics, and the 1985 world final medal stand story 55:57 Moving up to 220 so his brother and Mark Schultz could all make teams 58:28 Never cutting weight and advice to parents on weight cutting 1:07:07 Goodwill Games buzzer-beater and immediate jump to Goldman Sachs 1:13:08 Coaching at Indiana and Northwestern, Herbert and Fox 1:14:21 Coaching the U.S. women’s team and early growth of women’s wrestling 1:18:15 Tricia Saunders’ impact and resistance to women wrestling 1:24:58 Chairing the effort to save Olympic wrestling (CPOW) 1:27:52 How wrestling got dropped and then brought back to the Olympics 1:33:19 What wrestling must fix: rules, challenges, TV product 1:38:36 Funny Mark Manning story: selling blood for spring break If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

UFC Hall of Famer and Olympic Greco-Roman standout Randy “The Natural” Couture sits down for a deep-dive into the journey behind the legend. From wrestling for the U.S. Army in the Cold War era to battling on the NCAA stage, chasing Olympic dreams, and pioneering MMA game-planning, Randy shares the untold stories that shaped his career and life. He talks about discovering Greco by accident, training alongside icons at Oklahoma State, wild international tours in communist Europe and Cuba, the infamous “experiment” Alexander Karelin, transitioning into the UFC, and why wrestling is still the ultimate foundation for fighting. If you’re into wrestling, MMA, or high-performance mindset, this is a masterclass in resilience, problem-solving, and trusting the process. Timed Highlights 00:00 – Cold open 03:30 – Joining the Army, becoming an air traffic controller, and rediscovering wrestling 10:00 – Accidentally entering Greco and winning his first Greco tournament 17:00 – Making the All-Army team and discovering how big combative sports are in the military 24:00 – The wild 1988 military worlds in Palermo and armored-car rides through Sicily 32:00 – Choosing Oklahoma State, recruiting visit with Sheets and coon hunting in Stillwater 40:00 – Big duals, Iowa–Oklahoma State rivalries, and wrestling Don Frye for a lineup spot 47:30 – World-level Greco years, rivalries with Mike Foy and Steve Klock, and Pan Am stories 56:00 – Training and living with Marines, Navy, and Army wrestlers; real poverty in Cuba 1:03:00 – Discovering the early UFC on VHS and recognizing Don Frye in the cage 1:10:00 – Working with Rico Ciparelli and RAW, integrating wrestling into MMA game plans 1:18:00 – Why Greco is the best base for MMA and learning to fight off the cage 1:26:00 – The James Toney fight, reviving the low single, and using “John Smith” tactics in MMA 1:34:00 – How setbacks (NCAA and Olympic trials) led to a bigger path than he imagined 1:42:00 – Faith, timing, mentors, and the small “corner” that really matters If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Doug Schwab joins the Full Tilt Podcast for a deep dive into Iowa wrestling culture, his days under Dan Gable, the brutal “I quit” practices, making World and Olympic teams, and building the Panther Train at UNI. Doug shares real coaching gold on culture, competition, and what it means to raise tough, grounded kids in the sport. From small-town Osage roots and legendary rivalries, to Iowa’s dynasty rooms and the Olympic stage, Doug opens up about faith, failure, loyalty, and how he’s now guiding the next generation—including his own sons. Timed Highlights 0:00 Opening story: the infamous “I quit” practice with Ironside 1:11 Full Tilt intro and welcoming Doug Schwab 1:27 Doug on living the wrestling lifestyle year-round 2:02 UNI’s wrestling room and making the most of what you have 4:39 Growing up Schwab in Osage, Iowa 5:23 What Iowa high school wrestling and “the Barn” felt like 8:23 Small-town rivalries and heated New Hampton–Osage battles 13:33 Transitioning into the Gable–Zalesky era at Iowa 15:03 First Iowa practice: getting destroyed by Ironside 18:10 Life inside the Iowa practice room and “rite of passage” beatdowns 20:18 The toughest guys Doug ever wrestled in the room 23:38 Real Pro Wrestling era and battles with Chris Bono 26:01 Learning to use rivals and emotions as fuel, not poison 29:50 Why relationships matter more than wins and losses 32:16 Taking over at UNI: coming in “hot and hard” as a young head coach 34:01 Early Panther guys who bought in and changed the program 38:18 How UNI built All-Americans and national champs like Drew Foster 40:39 Coaching philosophy: loyalty, development, and culture over credentials 42:39 The West Gym to MAT Club transition and keeping the team together 47:39 Filling McLeod, embracing growth, and honoring the West Gym 50:30 Doug as a dad: raising wrestlers without burning them out 56:33 Gap years, emotional maturity, and long-term development 1:02:03 Letting kids struggle and not “rescuing” them too early 1:08:30 Balancing dad vs. coach and playing the long game 1:18:04 Parker Keckeisen’s work ethic and impact on UNI 1:24:39 Building a staff that truly aligns with program values 1:33:18 What Doug wants his athletes to leave UNI with 2:03:40 Doug on pouring back into the sport and being in Iowa 2:08:30 Closing: friendship, gratitude, and the future of Panther Train If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Ben Askren sits down in his Wisconsin home to unpack how he reinvented wrestling, from basement mats and reluctant partners to NCAA dominance and world‑level technique. He breaks down scrambling’s evolution, the balance between family and coaching, why passion beats early results in recruiting, and how to keep kids hungry for the sport without burning them out. Chapters 2:00 – The birth of the PNL league during COVID and its purpose 3:40 – No year‑round clubs, basement mats, and inventing “funk” out of necessity 6:30 – Letting partners almost score and teaching himself to scramble 8:40 – Illegal off‑season training with his high school coach and leveling up 10:20 – Why scrambling may decline and the rise of clean, efficient attacks 11:50 – Suits, briefcases, message boards, and antagonizing the crowd 13:40 – Chasing the takedown record and turning hate into fuel 18:20 – Building multi‑step systems and staying two moves ahead 22:20 – Updating his game today and importing new techniques for his athletes 23:50 – Coaching Evan Wick: stubbornness, cardio, and fixing real weaknesses 27:10 – Practice as a puzzle, not a script, and keeping kids engaged 31:30 – Empowering athletes to figure things out on their own 35:20 – The problem with year‑round youth grind and over‑coaching 37:30 – Who should really go Division I and why love for the sport matters most 39:40 – Choosing Missouri, buying into Coach Smith, and building a contender 41:50 – Dominant NCAA runs and being obsessed with bonus points 44:10 – Calling out lazy recruiting: results vs. passion and trajectory 50:40 – The best wrestlers Ben ever felt and the hidden training partner who beat him up If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com

Hatch sits down with Greco-Roman legend Dennis Hall for a raw look at one of the most intense careers in American wrestling. Hall talks about walking away from a full-ride at Wisconsin to chase Greco, going from 0–5 at early World events to World Champion, and the mindset work that helped him handle doubt, pressure, and pain. He opens up about losing his brother and how that tragedy fueled his run to a 1995 World title, the heartbreak of the 1996 Olympic final in Atlanta, grinding through construction work and Home Depot while chasing another team, and the now-legendary 17-minute overtime war with Brandon Paulson at the 2004 Olympic Trials. If you care about Greco, toughness, or what it really takes to chase greatness, this episode is for you. Timed Highlights: 0:00 Opening story and intro to Dennis Hall 2:03 Why US Greco is struggling and who dominates it worldwide 8:47 Leaving Wisconsin and going all-in on Greco 15:20 Early World struggles, 0–5 start, and Dan Chandler’s mindset talk 24:41 First World medal in 1994 and learning to “take it out of the refs’ hands” 39:57 1995 World title run and winning gold on criteria 47:39 Losing his brother, quitting wrestling, and coming back for him 52:31 Building toward the 1996 Olympics and training with foreign hammers 1:02:42 Atlanta matches, rib injury, and making the Olympic final 1:08:30 1996 Olympic final, controversial lift, and living with silver 1:20:55 Working construction and staying elite while broke 1:22:06 Home Depot, John Bartis sponsorship, and one last Olympic push 1:28:21 Dropping a weight for 2004 and proving doubters wrong 1:36:53 17-minute overtime war with Brandon Paulson at the 2004 Trials 1:40:03 The winning takedown, celebration, and respect between two rivals If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your favorite story, and tell us which wrestling legend you want to hear from next! www.thefulltiltpodcast.com