In this episode of The Game Time Guru, Shane Larson sits down with professional bare-knuckle fighter Mike "The Marine" Richman for a raw and honest conversation about the fight game—and the mindset behind it.

Mike breaks down the unique intensity of fighting in BKFC, why every jab in bare knuckle can change a fight, and how committing to body shots can wear down even the toughest opponents. He shares what it's like competing in front of massive crowds, how he controls his nerves before stepping through the ropes, and the self-affirmations he uses to stay locked in.

The conversation goes deeper into adversity—coming back from knockout losses, battling self-doubt, and rebuilding confidence after tough setbacks. Mike opens up about what it takes mentally and physically to stay in the fight game, how he knows when it's time to keep going (or walk away), and the life lessons fighting has taught him that translate directly into business, marriage, and everyday life.

If you're an athlete, competitor, or someone chasing big goals, this episode will challenge you to control the chaos, trust your preparation, and remember who you are when things get tough.

Subscribe for weekly interviews with sports figures from around the world.

John has built a career designing high performance training spaces and helping athletes, executives, and high achievers raise their standards. We talk about the mindset shift from sports to business, why preparation builds confidence, and why being a great teammate starts with doing your job. This conversation goes deep into discipline, leadership, and the standards it takes to win in any arena.

This is a great interview with former Boston College football player turned elite gym designer, trainer, and founder of The Cave.

If you are an athlete, coach, parent, or someone building something big, you will take a lot from this one.

What we cover in this episode:

• John's Boston College football journey and the lessons that carried into life after sports

• The high school grind and why most people end up with regrets

• The athlete mindset that translates into business and entrepreneurship

• Why standards matter and how to stop lowering the bar

• Confidence, fear, and the power of preparation

• Creating training environments where people feel safe and perform at their best

• The Cave, John's private gym concept built for elite performance and elite vibes

• Pattern recognition, problem solving, and building value for life

About John Damon:
John Damon is a gym designer and performance focused trainer who has designed gyms from 1,000 to 150,000 square feet. He is the founder of The Cave, a private training space built on intentional design, high standards, and a world class experience.

Connect with John Damon:

Website: https://johndamon.com/
Instagram: @johnddamon

Scott Birnbaum (CEO & Founder of Booster) joins Shane Larson on The Gametime Guru Podcast to break down how Booster is changing sports fundraising for high school teams, booster clubs, and youth programs.

The cost of athletics keeps rising, travel, equipment, team meals, uniforms, tournament fees — and many schools don't have the budget to cover it. Scott explains why traditional fundraisers (popcorn, candy, shoot-a-thons) often fall short, and how Booster takes a different approach: fundraising through content and community, with a subscription model designed to create recurring revenue for teams.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Why fundraising has become essential for high school sports programs

• The biggest hidden costs coaches are trying to cover (especially travel + meals)

• How Booster works as a fundraising platform built around team content

• Why community-based support beats one-time product fundraisers

• How parents, athletes, and student creators can help tell the team's story

• Booster's roots in NIL and where the platform is headed next

If you're a coach, athletic director, parent, booster club leader, or sports business fan, this episode will give you a fresh look at how fundraising can actually feel exciting — and more sustainable.

Learn more about Booster: https://booster.club/

Follow/Subscribe to The Gametime Guru Podcast for weekly interviews covering sports, leadership, and the business behind the game.