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National champion and head coach Rob Koll sits down with Full Tilt to talk about growing up in a famous wrestling family and how he built some of the best programs in college wrestling. He describes growing up in the Penn State wrestling room, his father Bill Koll's time at Normandy, and his 1988 NCAA title for North Carolina. He also covers the years he spent training with and competing against Dave Schultz, including a 3 a.m. skate on a frozen reservoir in Moscow. He explains how Cornell went from mediocre to a powerhouse: building alumni relationships, the Friedman Wrestling Center, and why he thinks it made spending money on wrestling acceptable across the sport. He then covers the move to Stanford and his return to Chapel Hill, where he admits he was slow to adjust to NIL. He also talks about coaching Travis Lee, Jordan Leen, Troy Nickerson, Yianni Diakomihalis and Kyle Dake, and why loyalty is the quality he values most. The episode ends with one of the best Coach Lam stories you'll hear. Timed highlights:    00:44 Being on the world team with his idol Nate Carr, and the front headlock that fractured his vertebra    04:35 Following wrestling before the internet, when Amateur Wrestling News was the only source    06:34 Starting in 5th grade, and how one season a year became four, along with the overuse injuries    13:10 Bill Koll at Normandy, and how he inspired the slam rule    18:36 Wrestling for Coach Lam in a packed room with only one assistant    21:24 Nearly getting kicked out of school for buying classic novels    25:13 Broke, newly married, and taking a 10% pay cut on his first day at Cornell    28:15 The 1988 national title, and why losing the two years before made it mean more    30:08 Giving credit to Bill Tate and Mark Richmond, the guys who beat him    34:48 Dave Schultz: retiring him, getting pinned by him, and skating in Moscow at 3 a.m.    40:12 His secret defense to the Schultz front headlock: the fake choke    42:54 Drilling with Arsen Fadzaev and the rib that got broken on purpose    46:51 The Cornell rebuild: why you can't inherit relationships    51:15 The Friedman Wrestling Center and the facilities race it started    53:29 Fundraising lessons at Stanford, and what he got wrong on NIL at Carolina    57:11 Travis Lee, Jordan Leen, Troy Nickerson and the Cornell run    1:03:22 Kyle Dake, "the scientist," and why loyalty defines him    1:06:27 The idea behind Dake moving up to face David Taylor    1:09:11 Recruiting Yianni over his own son    1:10:19 The fake-teeth soccer story that made Coach Lam think he was the toughest man alive Sponsor: Custom Community, custom team apparel.  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 two-time world bronze medalist Nick "Gwiz" Gwiazdowski talks about the road from a small Upstate New York town to the world podium. He covers rebuilding NC State with Pat Popolizio, upsetting Tony Nelson for the 2014 title and how front headlock defense opened up his freestyle career.  He also explains why great coaches sometimes let their wrestlers win. Then come the stories: armed escorts in Dagestan, crowds in Iran with Jordan Burroughs, and the brutal cold of Krasnoyarsk. Timed highlights:00:00 Cold open: dinner with a machine gun in the doorway 09:38 Small-town roots in Duanesburg, NY 15:16 Confidence, practice partners and the coach as a servant 25:08 Beating Tony Nelson for the 2014 NCAA title 30:05 The Kyle Snyder showdown 36:21 "Get big": front headlock and chest lock defense 41:07 His first world medal, then a second bronze won on a high ankle sprain 47:53 Dagestan: Khabib's crew, armored trucks and a wolf pelt 54:27 Iran with Jordan Burroughs, and Krasnoyarsk's extreme cold Sponsored by Hatch and Custom Community. Visit customcommunity.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

Arizona legend Eric Larkin sits down with Full Tilt for an early-morning conversation about his life in wrestling. He rode the JV bus at Sunnyside as a freshman and still won Fargo. He then became an NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner at Arizona State. Eric talks about the hot, hard-nosed Sunnyside practice room and how his redshirt got pulled as a true freshman. He also covers battles with Cody Sanderson, training with Randy Lewis, and finishing 4th, 3rd, 2nd and then 1st at NCAAs. Then we get into the school's "greater later" approach to youth development, how its athletes compete at college opens across the country, and what it's like raising five wrestling sons without being an overbearing dad coach. Timed Highlights 0:00 JV freshman, Fargo champ 2:06 Getting started at Sunnyside 8:28 Redshirt pulled at ASU 19:23 Cody Sanderson battles 22:29 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st 26:45 Coaching Brian Stith 28:38 What Valiant Prep is 37:50 Fundraising challenges 41:14 "Greater later" 48:14 Being a wrestling dad 55:58 Toughest opponents This episode is sponsored by Custom Community, which makes custom team apparel: customcommunity.com Podcast Prodiction by: www.itsyourshow.co 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

Jim Ravannak looks back on a life shaped by wrestling—from leading USA Wrestling and helping preserve the sport’s Olympic place to building the Gator Wrestling Club and supporting athletes like Daniel Cormier. He shares stories from Olympic and international team trips, recalls the people and moments that stayed with him, and reflects on why creating opportunities for athletes matters as much as winning medals. Timed highlights: 00:00 – The call that set the effort to preserve Olympic wrestling in motion 01:50 – Building a wrestling family and recognizing Daniel Cormier’s talent 11:04 – Growing Superior Energy while taking on wrestling leadership 14:20 – Why coaching and creating opportunities for young athletes mattered 18:14 – Early team-leader experiences and traveling during uncertain times 23:07 – What a team leader does to support athletes and coaches 26:03 – The campaign to keep wrestling in the Olympic Games 32:44 – The Gator Wrestling Club’s athletes, legacy, and eventual transition 37:16 – Opening training camps to help build the strongest possible team 42:00 – A memorable trip to Iran and the connections made through wrestling 48:33 – Olympic memories and a friendship with Bruce Baumgartner 51:06 – Ravannak’s bond with Daniel Cormier and stories from their years together 57:51 – Giving back and helping athletes find a clear path forward 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

Newly elected Iowa Wrestling Hall of Famer Matt McDonough joins Full Tilt at Mission Athletics in Cedar Rapids for a wide-ranging conversation about the people and experiences that shaped his career. Matt looks back on growing up around wrestling, learning from coaches and training partners who pushed him, winning two NCAA titles, and facing the setbacks of his senior season. He also reflects on Anthony Robles, the lessons he’s carried into coaching, and how Mission Athletics came together. Timed highlights: 00:30 Matt reacts to being inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame 02:22 The mindset behind his success—and why he never thought of himself as an especially talented wrestler 03:16 His father’s influence and the family’s wrestling history 05:07 How young wrestlers learn techniques from social media 07:04 Matt’s early years in wrestling and finding his “wrestling bug” 10:37 The impact of coach Pablo Bassa 15:29 Seeking out training partners and challenges who push you 17:00 The Mark Ironside practice that changed how Matt viewed tough training 20:46 Moving to 125 pounds and learning not to cut weight just for the sake of it 23:43 Winning his first NCAA title after an early-season loss 26:54 Wrestling Anthony Robles and the story behind their famous championship match 35:16 Recovering from the Robles loss and returning to win another national title 43:47 Matt’s injury, weight-cutting challenges, and tough senior season 50:19 How Matt became involved with Mission Athletics 54:52 A look inside Mission Athletics and its training and recovery facilities 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

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