RU STRONG

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I’m excited to welcome a fellow South Jersey native whose journey through the game of basketball has taken him from local courts to the global stage, Kevin Owens.Kevin was a standout at Monmouth University, where he was a four-year starter, team captain, and part of a team that made a run to the NCAA Tournament. After earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he went on to play professionally in the NBA G League and then overseas from 2006 to 2010, experiencing the game on a global level.But what really makes Kevin’s story powerful is what the game taught him along the way.From battling through adversity, injuries, and uncertainty, to learning how to adapt in completely different countries and cultures, Kevin shares how basketball shaped his mindset, teaching him resilience, patience, and the ability to bet on himself even when no one else did. He talks about the discipline it takes to stay ready, the humility to keep growing, and the mental toughness required to navigate the highs and lows of a professional career.He also opens up about the importance of identity beyond the game, how so many athletes struggle with transition, and why building something bigger than basketball became his mission.Today, he’s the founder of Overseas Famous and Overseas X, an ecosystem built to support and connect athletes playing internationally. He’s also an author, podcast host, and a strong advocate for athlete mental health, bringing awareness to the challenges that come with playing overseas and transitioning into life after sports.In this conversation, we dive into the realities of international basketball, the evolution of college sports in the NIL era, and the life lessons the game teaches that go far beyond the court.This one is all about resilience, perspective, identity, and building a life beyond the game.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with one of the most respected minds in collegiate rowing and athlete development, Nancy LaRocque Pederson.Nancy’s journey is anything but conventional. A former rower at UMass Amherst who didn’t even pick up the sport until college, turned a late start into a lifelong passion that shaped an elite coaching career. From her early days at Vassar College, where she quickly stepped into a head coaching role, to transforming the women’s rowing program at West Virginia University from a club team into a Division I program, Nancy has consistently built and elevated teams at the highest level.Her coaching journey continued at the University of Wisconsin, where she became one of the top recruiters in the country, developing talent from both elite prospects and walk-on athletes. She later took on the challenge of leading an Ivy League program at Dartmouth College, where success required not only athletic excellence, but also the ability to recruit and develop high-character, academically elite student-athletes.Now serving with U.S. Rowing as a Development and Athlete Success Associate, Nancy is helping Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls navigate life beyond sport, aligning career opportunities with the demands of elite training.In this powerful conversation, Nancy shares her insights on leadership, recruiting, resilience, and what it truly takes to build a winning culture. She also reflects on the importance of mentorship, the evolving landscape of college athletics, and the life lessons that sports continue to teach long after competition ends.This is an episode about growth, grit, and making an impact on and off the water.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where I spotlight the mindset, mission, and momentum behind athletes and leaders who turn adversity into strength.Today’s episode features a true embodiment of resilience, discipline, and purpose, Roosevelt Boone.A native of Washington, D.C., Roosevelt’s journey is one defined by grit and growth. As a four-time letter winner and scholar-athlete at the University of Maine, he proved early on that success isn’t just about performance on the field, but excellence in the classroom and in life.But his story didn’t stop there.Roosevelt went on to:• Earn his graduate degree while continuing to lead and grow • Transition into Division I coaching, including time at Rutgers University • Step into higher education leadership as a Dean • And build impact beyond the game through his nonprofit, Strong Mind, Strong Body, focused on youth wellness, nutrition, and development From overcoming injuries and navigating life far from home.To embracing the grind of coaching, recruiting, and leadership.To now shaping lives through education, mentorship, and service.Roosevelt Boone represents what it truly means to embrace the grind, build resilience, and turn your journey into purpose.In this episode, we dive into:• The transition from high school to Division I football • Lessons learned through adversity and mental challenges • The behind-the-scenes world of recruiting and player development • And how to prepare for life beyond the game This is a powerful conversation about growth, identity, and impact.Click on the links below to hear the full episode.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a coach who has spent over two decades in the trenches of athletic performance, developing athletes, building systems, and shaping mindsets that extend far beyond the court.Missy Mitchell McBeth brings a powerful blend of experience and perspective. From her days as a collegiate volleyball player to earning her Master’s in Exercise Physiology, and coaching at the highest levels, including her time at TCU working with multiple Division I programs, Missy has seen the game from every angle.Today, as the Director of Sports Performance at Fieldhouse Volleyball Club and an author dedicated to developing volleyball athletes, Missy is on a mission to simplify strength and conditioning, making it practical, effective, and impactful for both coaches and athletes.In this episode, Missy pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to compete at the collegiate level, where being an athlete isn’t a hobby, it’s a job. She shares real insights on the mental and physical demands of the game, the evolution of coaching, and why adaptability, not perfection, is the key to long-term success.We dive into:• The recruiting journey and why finding the right fit matters more than chasing labels • How coaching has evolved from control to connection and the importance of athlete buy-in • The role of discipline, accountability, and adversity in shaping strong individuals • Injury reduction, performance development, and building resilient athletes • Why great coaching is less about systems and more about understanding the athlete in front of you Missy’s story is one of growth, grit, and continuous evolution, learning when to push, when to adapt, and how to meet athletes where they are while still holding them to a high standard.This episode goes beyond sports.It’s about leadership. It’s about resilience. And it’s about preparing athletes not just for the game but for life.

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with a rising voice in the world of sports media, Nick Kosko.A true Jersey product and proud Rutgers alum, Nick’s journey is a powerful example of passion, persistence, and carving your own lane. From his days competing on the Rutgers club wrestling team to becoming the play-by-play voice of Rutgers Wrestling, Nick has built a standout career in broadcasting and journalism.Nick has made his mark across multiple platforms, working with SiriusXM, ESPN Radio, 247Sports, and now covering college football nationally with On3. His story isn’t just about sports, it’s about embracing the grind, staying disciplined, and pursuing excellence in a highly competitive industry.In this episode, Nick shares:• His journey from a multi-sport athlete in South Jersey to national sports media • The lessons learned from wrestling, leadership, and team culture • How he built his career through consistency, mentorship, and resilience • The realities behind the scenes of broadcasting and sports journalism • And how staying committed to your craft can open doors you never expected From the mat to the mic, to a national platform, this is a story of betting on yourself and building your voice.