🎙️ RU STRONG PODCAST – EPISODE INTRO

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast.

Today’s episode is special because I’m joined by another Rutgers Scarlet Knight who truly embodies what it means to be RU Strong.

My guest is John Poznanski, a standout wrestler from Colonia, New Jersey, whose journey is defined by discipline, resilience, and an unshakable mindset.

John put together one of the most impressive wrestling careers you’ll hear about:

• 164 high school wins

• 2020 New Jersey State Champion

• 40–0 senior season

• Three-time NCAA Qualifier

• Two-time Big Ten placer & Big Ten bronze medalist

• Freshman All-American at Rutgers

• Two-time Academic All-American

• Multiple-time Academic All–Big Ten honoree

But here’s what makes this episode powerful, John’s story goes far beyond wins and medals.

He competed at the highest level of college wrestling with vision in only one eye, after being born with Coats disease and losing his left eye at a young age. Instead of letting that define his limits, John turned it into a source of strength adapting, grinding, and proving what’s possible when mindset beats circumstance.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Competing in the Big Ten, the toughest wrestling conference in the country

• The discipline behind weight cuts, training, and elite performance

• Balancing academics and athletics at Rutgers

• Identity after sports and navigating life once the final whistle blows

• What wrestling taught him about persistence, organization, and leadership

• Why athletes live two lives and how to win the second one

• And how John is now using his voice through his own podcast, Destination Talk, to inspire others on their journey

This episode is a must-listen for:

• College athletes

• Wrestlers and combat-sport competitors

• Parents and coaches

• Anyone navigating transition, adversity, or identity after sports

So, buckle up because this is a story about grit, purpose, and becoming more than the sport you play.

🎧 Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast with John Poznanski.

🎙️ RU STRONG PODCAST INTRODUCTION – MJ WRIGHT

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we sit down with athletes who embody resilience, discipline, and the mindset to win both on and off the field.

Today’s guest is a powerful example of what it means to bet on yourself.

MJ Wright is a New Jersey native out of Freehold, a product of Red Bank Catholic High School, and a standout wide receiver at Fordham University. A three-time All–Patriot League selection, 2023 team captain, and one of the most productive receivers in Fordham history, MJ finished his career ranked 6th all-time in both receiving yards and receptions all while earning Academic Honor Roll recognition and graduating with a business degree.

But MJ’s story goes far deeper than stats.

In this episode, MJ opens up about being a late bloomer, overcoming serious adversity early in his college career, including a life-threatening battle with rhabdomyolysis, and navigating the mental grind that comes with injuries, setbacks, and moments when the game is taken out of your hands. He shares how journaling, mindset discipline, faith, and family helped him protect his thoughts and rebuild confidence when everything felt uncertain.

We also dive into:

• What it truly feels like to play “in the zone”

• The unseen daily grind of a Division I student-athlete

• The power of brotherhood and shared suffering

• How structure, discipline, and adversity prepare athletes for life after sports

• Why belief, patience, and persistence matter more than early hype

Now, after earning an invite to the New York Giants Rookie Minicamp, MJ is taking the next step in his professional journey, signing with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League — continuing to chase the dream with the same hunger and humility that got him here.

This is a must-listen episode for:

✔️ College athletes

✔️ Late bloomers

✔️ Anyone facing setbacks

✔️ Anyone learning how to win the mental game

MJ Wright’s story is a reminder that growth isn’t always linear, success is earned in silence, and the strongest athletes are built through adversity.

Let’s get into it. 💪

This is RU Strong.

🎙️ RU Strong Podcast | Episode Spotlight

On this episode of the RU Strong Podcast, we sit down with Steve McGuiggan, a former Division I standout, culture builder, and co-founder of one of the most impactful human performance organizations in the country.

Steve’s journey is a masterclass in grit, self-belief, and responsibility.

From becoming one of the most decorated players in UIC baseball history, to facing the reality of life when the game ends, Steve opens up about the moments that shaped him most—not just on the field, but as a man, leader, and mentor.

In this conversation, we dive deep into:

• What it really takes to build sustainable confidence in athletes

• Why culture and character matter more than talent alone

• The responsibility that comes with opportunity academics, family, and life after sports

• How failure, humility, and support systems became the foundation for building MASH

• Why being present, not projecting the future, is the key to long-term success

Steve shares powerful stories about his parents’ belief in him, the lessons learned from not reaching the big leagues, and how those experiences now fuel his mission to help young athletes grow into resilient, grounded adults.

This episode is a must-listen for:

• Current and former athletes

• Coaches and parents

• Entrepreneurs and leaders

• Anyone navigating transition, identity, and purpose after sport

If you believe that success is built through culture, accountability, and service to others, this conversation will hit home.

🎧 Listen now and get ready to rethink what it means to truly be “RU Strong.”