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The Full Tilt Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Michael Hatcher
The Full Tilt Podcast is a show about elite athletic performers who refuse to operate at half speed. Hosted for competitors, coaches, and high achievers, this show dives deep into the mindset, discipline, recovery, sacrifice, and obsession required to perform at the highest level. From pro athletes and Olympians to elite trainers and sports scientists, we unpack what it really takes to go all in. From "oh Sh**" stories to unique experiences... No shortcuts. No excuses. Just performance — at full tilt.
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- 3 days ago1h 32m
Joe Russell - From Skull Fracture to World Titles :: Ep 30
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 coachIf 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.comItsYourShow.co
- 1 weeks ago2h 0m
Terry Steiner - Journey to Grow the Sport :: Ep 29 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 significanceIf 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.comhttps://customcommunity.comItsYourShow.co
- 2 weeks ago2h 37m
Bill Zadick - From Montana Mats to World Gold :: Ep 28
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 BillIf 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
- 3 weeks ago1h 40m
Ali & Derek St. John - Wrestling’s Power Couple Ignites Iowa State :: Ep 27
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 StateIf 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.comItsYourShow.co
- Aug 20, 20261h 36m
JohnMark Bentley - Inside App State Wrestling :: Ep 26
Appalachian State head coach JohnMark Bentley joins Jim McCarthy 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 recruitsIf 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
- Aug 13, 20261h 28m
Carl Adams - Wrestling Legend And Innovator :: Ep 25 The Full Tilt Podcast
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.comIf 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.comProduced by: ItsYourShow.co
- Aug 6, 20262h 5m
Ben Peterson - Farm Boy To Olympic Legend :: Ep 24 The Full Tilt Podcast
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 FargoIf 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.comProduced by:ItsYourShow.co
- Jul 30, 20262h 4m
USA Wrestling’s Rich Bender: Saving Olympic Wrestling, Fargo Legends, and the Golden Age of the Sport :: Ep 23 Full Tilt Podcast
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 delegati
About The Full Tilt Podcast
The Full Tilt Podcast is a show about elite athletic performers who refuse to operate at half speed. Hosted for competitors, coaches, and high achievers, this show dives deep into the mindset, discipline, recovery, sacrifice, and obsession required to perform at the highest level. From pro athletes and Olympians to elite trainers and sports scientists, we unpack what it really takes to go all in. From "oh Sh**" stories to unique experiences... No shortcuts. No excuses. Just performance — at full tilt.
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