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At the Fargo wrestling tournament, host Hatch talks with wrestling legend Bruce Baumgartner about his path from an unheralded high school wrestler to an NCAA champion and one of America’s most decorated wrestlers. Baumgartner reflects on Olympic and world-level competition, the training habits that kept him improving, memorable matches overseas, and carrying the U.S. flag at the 1996 Olympics. He also shares how USA Wrestling can support athletes and help the sport grow. Timestamps:00:00–05:00 — Fargo, Baumgartner’s New Jersey upbringing, and how he got started in wrestling.05:00–10:00 — His development in college, NCAA finishes, and early international experience.10:00–14:00 — A long career built “one year at a time,” with steady, incremental training goals.14:00–19:00 — Conditioning routines, including AirDyne workouts, hill sprints, and learning to perform when tired.19:00–27:00 — International competition and adapting his technique to wrestle larger opponents.27:00–32:00 — The 1984 Olympics, the boycott, and the demanding Tbilisi tournament.32:00–35:00 — Baumgartner’s experience carrying the U.S. flag at the 1996 Olympics.35:00–39:00 — His 1992 Olympic gold, best performances, and toughest opponents.39:00–42:00 — USA Wrestling’s goals, supporting athletes, and growing participation in the sport. 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

Cadet World Champion and Virginia Tech Hokie Bo Bassett breaks down the “nothing changes” mindset that powers his legendary work ethic, comeback wins, and faith-driven life. Bo shares how a heartbreaking loss at age seven changed everything, why burnout is a myth if you truly love wrestling, and how 5 a.m. “mental warfare” workouts, family, and faith shaped his path from Young Guns to world titles and Virginia Tech. Great listen for wrestlers, parents, coaches, and anyone obsessed with elite mindset and purpose-driven success. Timed Highlights: 0:00 Nothing changes: Bo’s core mindset for being up or down in a match 3:00 Building a platform: faith, family, and using influence to glorify God 6:30 Wrestling campers for hours and trying to create life-changing moments for kids 10:00 Young Guns origin story, the Stripmatter brothers, and a room that raises everyone 13:30 Role models becoming peers: Spencer Lee, James Green, and full-circle opportunities 17:00 5 a.m. workouts, “mental warfare,” and the Iran reminder at 4:55 a.m. 21:00 Early years: pre-school workouts, sleep, and confidence from consistent extra work 24:30 The seven-year-old heartbreak: missing Pennsylvania states and going “all in” 28:00 Burnout myths, loving the sport, and why passion beats predictions 31:30 World and national stages: U17 world title in Budapest and chasing more gold 35:00 Learning from losses: changing diet, attacks, and adding new layers to his game 38:00 Falling in love with freestyle, learning Greco, and training with overseas-level guys 41:00 Choosing Virginia Tech, the Hokie room, and being part of a young, hungry roster 44:00 Backyard grind: monkey bars, sleds, and the crazy workouts that built his toughness 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 Sponsor: Syntag Body Wash (faith-based charity supporter) Edited by: https://redrumcreative.com/

Joe Russell, Manager of Freestyle Programs at USA Wrestling, sits down with Hatch for an honest, funny, and powerful conversation about surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident, relearning how to walk, and eventually coaching world and Olympic champions. Joe shares wild rehab stories, life lessons from Jay Robinson and Dan Gable’s coaching trees, what separates elite college wrestlers from world-level medalists, and how USA Wrestling is quietly using data and AI to stay ahead of the world. Timed Highlights: 0:00 Intro ad – Hatch, Custom Community, and Full Tilt Podcast setup 0:40 Meet Joe Russell – “I just do what Bill Zadick and J’den Cox tell me” 3:05 Growing up on the mat in Oregon and early ties to the Zadick family 7:10 USA Oregon Club: 3–4 hour practices, six days a week, year-round 10:25 High school “magical year”: junior nationals, age-group worlds, senior-level success as a teen 14:20 Pavel Katsen, Greco influence, and “real men wrestle Greco” 18:05 The 1985 motorcycle accident that nearly killed him 22:10 Brain surgery, “you’ll never walk or talk again,” and proving doctors wrong 25:35 Waking up hungry, refusing to “forget how to swallow,” and sneaking in a Big Mac 29:15 Brutal rehab: kids’ wheelchair with a flat tire and learning everything from scratch 33:10 First trip out in public – staples in his head, people staring, and a lesson in empathy 37:45 Redshirting high school, getting beat by guys he used to dominate 41:00 Why Minnesota and Jay Robinson still believed in him 44:20 Being the worst guy on the team… and getting voted captain anyway 48:15 The real J Rob: Vietnam, world teams, secret generosity, and his camp legacy 53:10 Classic Minnesota–Iowa stories: Shelton Benjamin’s pin and Carver-Hawkeye atmospheres 57:30 2001 NCAA title run: 10 All-Americans, 0 champs, and winning in Carver 1:01:40 Leaving Minnesota to rebuild George Mason and life at a have-not D1 program 1:06:10 Getting the call from Bill Zadick and jumping to USA Wrestling 1:09:00 2017 Worlds: going from losing at George Mason to coaching a world team title 1:12:00 What really separates college All-Americans from world and Olympic medalists 1:15:05 Film study, tendencies, and how AI is starting to creep into wrestling game plans 1:19:00 Multiple trips to Russia: Dagestan, Ossetia, Yakutsk, and insane wrestling environments 1:23:20 Yakutsk story: diamond mines, permafrost, and haircut from an Olympic champ’s son 1:27:00 Why Joe calls the accident “more blessing than curse” and what it taught him as a coach 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

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” episode03:10 – Alli and Derek’s roles at Iowa State and Derek’s recent Glen Brand Hall of Fame induction08:20 – How the Iowa State women’s wrestling program came to life after gymnastics was dropped12:45 – Women’s wrestling boom at Fargo and how the depth and level have exploded18:05 – Alli’s path: three-sport athlete in Carbondale, IL, wrestling mostly boys, and qualifying for boys’ state24:30 – Choosing King University over Oklahoma City, building a powerhouse team with future world and Olympic medalists30:40 – WCWA explained and how the women’s college landscape has evolved into NAIA and NCAA divisions36:00 – What it felt like wrestling in boys’ brackets with future stars like Tony Ramos, Ellis Coleman, and Zain Richards43:10 – Transitioning to freestyle and the importance of getting girls international experience early48:20 – Inside Japanese women’s wrestling: militant training, technical perfection, and why they dominate55:00 – Alli’s Team USA years, training under Terry Steiner, and learning to coach every type of athlete01:02:15 – How Alli and Derek met during COVID, long-distance while she was at HWC/Sunkist, and moving to Ames01:08:40 – 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 Iowa01:21:30 – Recruiting, culture, and stealing staff from William Penn; why they’re excited about athletes like Piper Fowler01:28:10 – RTC vision: men and women training together, building a unified CRTC to chase world and Olympic medals01:35:00 – Brother–sister recruiting, families getting “one stop shop,” and how that changes the sales pitch01:40:30 – The Carr legacy: Nate’s mentality, David’s selflessness in the room, and their impact on Iowa State01:47:25 – Derek’s high school days at Iowa City West, powerhouse teams, and rivalry with Waverly-Shell Rock and City High01:53:40 – Remembering coach Mark Ryland and the Ryland family’s impact on Derek’s life and career01:58:30 – Walking into the Iowa room as a freshman: getting thrown to the wolves and learning from guys like Metcalf and Borschel02:05:00 – Toughest college opponents: breaking down what made Kyle Dake and David Taylor so hard to wrestle02:11:20 – How Tom Brands nudged Derek into coaching, early success at North Dakota State, and then Virginia Tech02:18:00 – The wild transition when Dresser left for Iowa State mid-season and why Derek chose to follow later02:24:15 – Growing the crowd in Ames, dual meet atmosphere, and why Iowa State is built for big-time wrestling02:29:30 – 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 read2:00 How App State built one of the largest wrestling team camps in the country7:40 Using camp revenue to fund assistants, travel, facilities, and program growth14:05 Structure, organization, and why coaches keep coming back every summer19:30 Relationship-building with high school coaches and why it matters in recruiting and camps25:10 JohnMark’s unlikely start in wrestling as a sixth-grade workout partner33:00 Growing up in rural North Carolina and becoming a four-time undefeated state champ42:15 First trips to national events, Fargo, and the legendary Iowa intensive camp51:20 Wrestling at North Carolina, Midlands stories, and the influence of T.J. Jaworski1:01:00 Transfer to Oklahoma State, injuries, and the gap between expectations and reality1:10:25 Early coaching at Davidson and the grind of making it work financially1:16:40 Building App State: Blevins, Trotman, and finally getting over the All-American hump1:27:30 Recruiting “non-traditional” states and finding tough, under-the-radar kids1:36:00 Culture, core beliefs, and why delayed gratification drives the program1:44:30 The transfer portal, NIL, and how a mid-major survives in the new era1:53:20 Scheduling bigger programs and the problem with top teams ducking big matchups2:01:40 Building a rabid fan base and grassroots youth efforts in Boone2:09:00 Hurricane Helene, flooding, losing the wrestling room and locker room, and rebuilding2:17:40 Coaching his son Luke: the 20-minute rule, dad vs coach, and long-term perspective2:27:10 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 connection1:50 Childhood on the farm and learning to work4:45 Meeting Carl Adams and redefining “hard work”7:19 Becoming co-captains at Iowa State during a turbulent era10:18 Learning to handle 425-pound Chris Taylor12:26 How the Peterson brothers found wrestling14:11 Inside Iowa State’s golden era and coaching staff22:20 Practice-room culture: getting broken without being belittled30:40 What it was like wrestling Dan Gable multiple times a week34:43 Transitioning to freestyle and chasing the Olympics38:12 Beating Russ Hellickson and making the 1972 Olympic team48:05 Battling Levan Tediashvili and building respect with Soviet greats52:34 Ben’s perspective on the 1980 boycott and the fall of the USSR1:02:41 The accident, the broken leg, and how it deepened his faith1:16:20 The state finals loss that taught him about position and family1:27:40 Why he calls his medals “Cold War medals”1:35:32 Backyard boxing rings, homemade fields, and a basement weight room1:50:46 Who was the toughest wrestler he ever faced?1:54:16 The Peterson roll origin story2:03:45 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 team4:35 – Early headwinds: girls wrestling boys, culture, religion and growing to scale5:40 – Hiring Terry Steiner: how USA Wrestling landed the perfect women’s coach7:10 – Steiner’s impact and becoming the top women’s coach on the planet8:40 – The Steiner brothers, North Dakota roots and the Teddy Roosevelt Award10:45 – National team coaches in the RTC era: relationships, trust and humility13:20 – How RTCs changed everything for elite training in the U.S.16:00 – Building around personal coaches instead of stealing the spotlight16:47 – Women’s wrestling enters the Olympics in 2004 and the strategy behind it18:00 – Why Olympic status came before NCAA and high school recognition19:40 – Technical jump in women’s wrestling and why it’s no longer “junior high” level20:22 – Club culture, private academies and the professionalization of wrestling21:13 – From taboo to business: making a living in wrestling without apologizing22:20 – Specialization, youth clubs and the balance between opportunity and burnout23:19 – Donors, business success and why ex‑wrestlers give back so hard24:19 – Rich’s origin story: small‑town Wisconsin, three‑sport athlete and “wrestling, wrestling, wrestling” report card26:14 – From old‑timer tournaments to landing a USA Wrestling internship27:56 – 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 career31:35 – Working up from events intern to Executive Director33:07 – USA Wrestling’s near‑collapse in the early 90s and what turned it around35:35 – Enter Jim Scherr: hard cuts, tough calls and rebuilding the organization36:00 – Bill Zadick, leadership, and getting wrestling back on the Olympic program36:47 – Inside story: how wrestling got voted off the Olympic program in 201339:00 – Governance failures, disrespecting the IOC and the perfect storm40:32 – Strategy shift: making the IOC look good instead of fighting them41:45 – Forcing the re‑vote and getting back in the race with other sports43:13 – Overhauling rules, officiating and athlete representation44:40 – How new leadership at the international federation changed everything44:53 – Why having someone “in the room” at the IOC matters47:21 – Global reach: wrestling and medal distribution across the world48:20 – Rules, reviews and finally cleaning up bad officiating49:53 – The Kerry McCoy 1997 Tehran heartbreaker and a world title lost in protest54:03 – From back‑room protests to video review and real accountability55:56 – Integrity, COVID and why wrestling wasn’t a super‑spreader57:36 – Running large events safely during the pandemic and surprising data59:46 – Being around legends: Gable, Schultz, John Smith, Steiner and more1:00:02 – John Smith and Rich: same birthday, very different paths1:01:18 – Funniest, most charismatic personalities in USA Wrestling1:02:01 – Dave Schultz stories and the “when life gives you a lemon, you eat it” line1:02:58 – Overseas chaos: travel in Russia, sketchy airports and getting to worlds1:05:01 – Rulon vs Karelin in Sydney: the true story behind the overturned call1:07:25 – Kyle Snyder beating Sadulaev in Paris and the aftermath1:08:29 – Weddings and funerals: how wrestling tournaments feel emotionally1:11:00 – Back in Fargo: juggling state chair duties, club coaching and podcasting1:12:31 – Why Fargo changes kids, even if they go 0–21:14:15 – Data that connects Fargo and Junior Nationals to NCAA and world success1:16:34 – Tennessee’s growth: from a dozen kids to a three‑digit delegation1:17:46 – Cleveland, Tennessee shoutouts and Greco finalists from the state1:18:29 – Traveling to Iran: hospitality, security and wrestling as diplomacy1:20:48 – The first U.S. team back in Iran after the revolution1:22:21 – Jordan Burroughs as a global superstar and fan reactions abroad1:23:12 – World Cup in Kermanshah: USA vs Iran in a wild team race1:25:02 – Electric environments: Iran, Paris, Atlanta and Olympic arenas1:28:07 – More crazy travel: checking bags, magnetometers and chickens in Russia1:31:42 – Royce Alger stories and why characters like him keep the sport fun1:33:27 – USA Wrestling’s four core pillars: brand, base, community, teams1:35:16 – Governance, state chapters and why bad governance kills sports1:37:36 – The tension between elite focus and serving the entire membership1:39:28 – State leadership realities: volunteers, criticism and doing it for the kids1:41:34 – Passing wealth vs passing wisdom: what wrestling has figured out1:43:21 – Why USA Wrestling is the model NGB in the Olympic movement1:45:34 – The importance of infrastructure and running wrestling like a business1:48:31 – Rich’s praise for staff and why they’re the engine behind the scenes1:50:05 – Hosting U23 Worlds and Senior Worlds in the U.S.: why it matters1:53:54 – The real economics of hosting world championships in Vegas1:58:49 – LA 2028: qualifying, home‑mat advantage and big‑picture strategy2:00:35 – Wrestling as Team USA’s No. 3 all‑time medal sport2:03:36 – High school and college infrastructure: why the U.S. should dominate2:03:54 – “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 aheadIf 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 setup00:01:10 Alan Freed, Oscar Wood, and forgotten high school greatness00:03:14 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 was00:10:41 Brands vs Colat, Ironside wars, and life inside the Iowa room00:15:04 Why Fargo is still the real national championship00:18:38 The case for Sean Hage as the greatest high school wrestler ever00:22:26 Antonio McKee’s legendary room stories and the “did he beat John Smith?” question00:29:48 Is John Smith the greatest American wrestler of all time?00:31:26 How Smith innovated technique and changed wrestling forever00:39:45 Dave Schultz, lost golds, and the “this is for the Olympic title” story00:43:26 Tom and Terry Brands: villains from afar, heroes up close00:50:30 Kale Sanderson vs the field: dominance, D1 resumes, and the 2009 comeback01:07:19 Les Gutches, the toughest guy Chael ever felt01:16:58 High school and college coaches as culture builders and fundraisers01:36:40 Chael’s unconventional par terre defense and demo in the Iowa room01:42:53 Inside RAF: big production, big matchups, and building a real pro league01:50:01 Bo Bassett, Jax Forrest, and the future of American wrestling01:56:22 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 Tilt0:50 The “hate era” of 90s wrestling and how social media might’ve changed everything3:00 Western PA roots, early beatdowns, AAU title, and discovering Dan Gable5:25 Carl Adams books, takedown machine, and building skill without video8:45 Pennsylvania wrestling culture, PJWs, Hershey, and pressure from age 813:40 Work ethic, coal country toughness, and learning to love hard training19:20 Freestyle summers, TOSS club, Soviets, and why he skipped Fargo for Foxcatcher25:45 Midlands as a high-schooler: petitions, JUCO hammers, and battling back for third31:10 College choices: Clarion, Minnesota, and why he ultimately picked Penn State36:50 Training with Jamil Kelly, Alan Freed, Chris Bono, and what those rivals exposed46:30 Best domestic opponents, learning from John Fisher, and solving difficult styles51:00 First Worlds, style shock, and the infamous Iranian shoelace final in 19971:03:00 1998–1999 Worlds: bad calls, protests, separated shoulder, and still forcing his way into the finals1:11:20 Terry Brands’ injuries, missed weight, and the reality behind those world teams1:17:40 Sydney 2000: feeling at his absolute peak, clinch rules, and living with the outcome1:25:40 The two performances he’s proudest of and what they taught him about grit1:31:00 Building Colat.com: from DVD headaches to a thousand-technique online library1:37:00 Strength training then vs now, and why he thinks max lifting is wrecking wrestlers’ bodies1:41:30 Training with Lincoln McIlravy and John Smith: pace, pressure, and brutal honesty1:55:40 Taking over Campbell: tiny budget, no tradition, and building belief from an hour a day2:03:40 Campbell’s rise, the hotbox duals, and turning a “nowhere” program into a national story2:08:15 Why Navy: debunking Academy myths and explaining the 70/30 lifestyle2:18:00 Day-in-the-life of a Navy wrestler: training windows, academics, and built-in support2:23:30 Honor, accountability, and why Naval Academy grads don’t job hunt like everyone else2:35:00 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 room04:30 – Training under Gable, Brands, J Rob, and the “old torture equipment”09:45 – Late-blooming greatness: when wrestling finally “clicked” for Jeff17:15 – Cadets, Juniors, and winning Junior Worlds at 1623:30 – Freestyle vs Greco, learning to throw, and why Greco guys are different31:00 – Iowa high school culture, hazing, leadership, and growing up fast39:10 – The pressure of chasing perfection and how weight cutting nearly broke him46:20 – Midlands war stories, massive cuts, and learning the hard way54:00 – Strategy vs athleticism: beating better athletes by being smarter1:03:20 – Abe, Henson, Cunningham, and Jeff’s toughest college rivals1:12:10 – Life after Iowa: law school, senior-level runs, and walking away too early1:20:40 – Finding coaching again, loss in the family, and saying yes to Simpson1:27:30 – Why Jeff chose women’s wrestling and the trust-over-respect difference1:34:30 – Building a non-scholarship winner in a scholarship world1:43:10 – NIL, transfer portal, and why loyalty is disappearing from college sports1:51:40 – The wild 90s: Russian saunas, boxing gloves, and stories you couldn’t tell today1:59:30 – 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 intro0:49 Why Kenny Monday was a “must have” guest2:20 Growing up in North Tulsa and discovering wrestling at the YMCA5:19 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 system10:25 Oklahoma as a wrestling hotbed and the Park System dual meets13:16 Junior Olympics/Tulsa Nationals and early rivalries22:10 Winning Junior Nationals as a freshman and high school dominance26:20 The only blemish in high school and rivalry with Mike Sheets28:47 Choosing Oklahoma State over Oklahoma and early college struggles39:12 The worst beating he ever took in a practice room44:40 The Kenny Monday vs Nate Carr rivalry – 11 matches and mutual respect55:45 Learning freestyle and getting humbled in Russia58:52 Surviving and then winning the brutal Tbilisi tournament1:20:35 Beating world and Olympic champions: Variev, Fadzaev, and others1:35:12 The politics, weigh‑in controversy, and World Team trials gauntlet1:43:57 Hyperextending his elbow days before the 1992 Olympics1:49:41 Which year was “peak” Kenny Monday?1:56:25 Training with John Smith and the evolution of the low single2:06:55 Rebuilding Morgan State wrestling and joining the EIWA2:15:06 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