Almavora

#32 Steven Strobis - Arkansas Strength Coach Tells You How To Get Faster

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:10:34 GMT

Strength Coach Steven Strobis has trained some of the most elite track athletes in the world. One being Masai Russell, olympic world record holder in the 100m hurdles.

Coach Strobis breaks down exactly what young aspiring athletes need to start doing to make it to the next level.

#31 Adam Perron - D1 Soccer Coach Reveals What Coaches Look For

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:37:04 GMT

Adam Perron is the mens soccer coach at Coastal Carolina University. Adam talks about exactly what he looks for in the athletes he recruits to his program.

This is one you do not want to skip!

#30 Ashley Kowalewski - LSU Strength Coach Reveals What Scouts Really Look For!

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 01:00:29 GMT

What does it really take to compete at the Division I level?

LSU Strength & Conditioning Coach Ashley “AK” Kowaleski joins the Almavora Podcast to challenge common beliefs about athletic development, training, and what separates good athletes from great ones.

From mistakes young athletes make in the weight room to the little things college coaches notice, Coach AK shares insights every aspiring athlete, parent, and coach should hear.

Train smarter. Compete harder. Reach the next level.

#29 Bill Young - What D1 Coaches Actually Look For!

Nicholas Gonzalez — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 20:22:25 GMT

Kansas State Assistant Strength Coach Bill Young joins the Almavora Podcast to break down what high school athletes are getting wrong about training and what college strength coaches actually look for.

#28 Jay Gipp - No Offers? No Problem!

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:54:58 GMT

In this episode of the Almavora podcast, we sit down with D1 football player and content creation powerhouse, Jay Gipp (Jared Gipson). With an audience of over 2 million across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, Jay breaks down what it really takes to balance the grind of Sac State football with building a massive personal brand. Cam and the team get into the reality of life as a student-athlete, the business of being a creator, and his transition into the pros.

#27 Sky Carrizo - College Soccer Dreams Into Reality

Nicholas Gonzalez — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:12:42 GMT

In this episode Sky Carrizo walks us through his journey to collegiate level soccer. He shares valuable insight on his experiences, coaches he worked with, and famous players he's had the chance to share the pitch with.

#26 Devin Carney - D1 Basketball: Advice for Aspiring Athletes

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:04:55 GMT

The Unfiltered Reality of D1 Basketball: Mastering the Monotony with Devin Carney

In this episode of Almavora, we sit down with Division I basketball player Devin Carney to uncover the unfiltered reality of playing at the collegiate level. Devin breaks down his journey from earning a D1 offer on the spot as a high school sophomore to the brutal "welcome to college" moments of guarding 24-year-old veterans as an 18-year-old freshman.

#25 Emma Ortiz - The Truth About the NCAA Transfer Portal

Nicholas Gonzalez — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:03:32 GMT

They told her she was finished at 13 years old."

In this episode of Almavora, host Nick Gonzalez sits down with Division I volleyball player Emma Ortiz to uncover the raw reality of navigating the highest levels of collegiate athletics. After tearing her ACL twice before high school, Emma didn’t just rebuild her body—she built an unshakeable mindset. From dominating the ACC at Syracuse to entering the modern NCAA transfer portal and managing a rising NIL brand, Emma pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to survive and thrive as an elite athlete.

#24 Texas Coach Joe Vaughn - Why Raw Talent Is No Longer Enough

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:22:23 GMT

On this episode of Almavora, we sit down with Joe Vaughn, the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Texas and former NFL strength coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Joe has spent decades in the trenches building the physical and mental foundations of some of the most dominant athletes in the sport, including Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson.

#23 Emily Brown - UCLA Track Coach: Why 90% of Elite Athletes Burn Out

Nicholas Gonzalez — Tue, 26 May 2026 02:39:31 GMT

In this episode, we cover:

The "Trackflation" Crisis: Why the standards for college athletes are skyrocketing and how to keep up without breaking down.
The D1 Recruiting Matrix: The counter-intuitive "green flags" college coaches actually look for in high school athletes.
The Overtraining Trap: Why pushing harder is often the exact reason freshmen fail.
Elite Fueling Protocols: The hard science behind pre-race glucose, why athletes need more sugar, and exactly what to take 20 minutes before a workout.
The 3-Minute Pre-Hab: The non-negotiable mobility routine required to keep tendons and ligaments intact.

#22 Kaden Schickel - The SEC Reality Check

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 25 May 2026 02:52:30 GMT

In this episode of Almavora, we pull back the curtain on the unapologetic reality of playing Division I college football. Kaden Schickel’s journey from a preferred walk-on at James Madison University to walking off Big Ten games at Michigan State wasn't handed to him—it was built on an insane, relentless work ethic. Now heading to the SEC with Vanderbilt, Kaden breaks down the grueling standards of elite programs and the mental toughness required to survive the portal era.

#21 Brandon Polk - I Didn’t Lack Talent. I Lacked Belief

Nicholas Gonzalez — Fri, 22 May 2026 01:20:10 GMT

Former Penn State and JMU wide receiver Brandon Polk opens up about his football journey, losing belief in himself, almost walking away from the game, and finding his confidence again at JMU. This episode is about recruiting, pressure, starting over, and what it really takes to keep chasing the dream.

This is Brandon Polk’s story. This is Almavora.

#20 Jarius Reimonenq - Nobody Is Coming To Save You

Nicholas Gonzalez — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:02:11 GMT

the journey of a football player, from personal motivation and family influence to the challenges of recruitment and the importance of self-marketing. It highlights the unique football culture in Mississippi and offers valuable advice for young athletes seeking to stand out in the recruitment process.

#19 Keely Thomas - The Unbreakable Mindset

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sun, 03 May 2026 18:59:54 GMT

LIU D1 GK Keely Thomas spills the raw truth on college recruitment, from transfer portal traps to uncovering a team's true culture. She shares how she rewired her mind after devastating injuries, her insane first fitness test, and the specific 'Sharpie' routine she uses for high-stakes performance. For aspiring athletes & anyone wanting to forge a bulletproof mindset, this masterclass is a must-listen. Only on Almavora.

#18 Maya Goudeseune - Escaping Athletic Burnout

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:01:14 GMT

What happens when the dream you’ve chased since you were three years old finally becomes a reality... but it doesn't feel the way you thought it would?

#17 Reggie Jones - "The Road to One Tackle"

Nicholas Gonzalez — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:41:06 GMT

Whether you are an athlete chasing a dream, an underdog fighting for your spot, or just someone ready to level up your life, this episode with Reggie Jones, delivers the hard-hitting lessons and honest conversations you need to fuel your own fire.

Tune in, hit follow, and let's get to work.

#16 Kemari Copeland - JUCO to Power 5

Nicholas Gonzalez — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 01:58:15 GMT

The internet knows Kemari Copeland as the viral defensive lineman who squatted 605 pounds for 10 reps and woke up to endorsements from NFL legends. But behind the viral fame lies a grueling, unglamorous fight for survival in the cutthroat world of college football.

#15 Connor Madden - 8 Surgeries, 1 Dream

Nicholas Gonzalez — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:32:06 GMT

Connor Madden didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school. A few years later, he was kicking off for the JMU Dukes in their first-ever FBS game. Between those two points? Eight surgeries, multiple groin tears, and a coaching staff that tried to replace him. Connor joins us to discuss the "internal monologue" of an injured athlete, the power of a targeted strength plan, and why "Coach doesn't like me" is usually a lie you're telling yourself.

#14 Sofia Chepenik - Finding Your Why

Nicholas Gonzalez — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:03:49 GMT

Chasing big-name schools isn't always the winning playbook. This week, Sofia Chepenik joins the show to talk about the power of mental resilience and why choosing the right coach matters more than the logo on the jersey. Tune in to hear how Sofia navigated the pressures of her sport, stepped into her own power, and ultimately found the "why" that fuels her journey.

#13 Gannon Weathersby - Overlooked to Elite

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:42:07 GMT

155 pounds. That was the number on the scale when the scouts stopped looking. Most people see the purple paint and the D1 highlights, but they don't see the kid from Atlanta who was told he’d never make it to the big leagues. On this episode of Almavora, JMU linebacker Gannon Weathersby joins Nick Gonzalez to pull back the curtain on what it actually looks like to be overlooked and outsized.

#12 Chris Harvey - Ghosted After D1 Offers

Nicholas Gonzalez — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:24:36 GMT

What do you do when your Division 1 offers vanish overnight? Today, Christopher Harvey is a Division I Defensive End at Prairie View A&M.

In this episode, Christopher breaks down the exact physical and mental blueprint he used to take his dream back when everyone else stopped watching.

#11 Sydney Japic - How a "Low Flyer" Conquered the SEC

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:30:20 GMT

In this episode of the Almavora podcast, we deconstruct the mindset of elite defender Sydney Japic. Stepping onto a Division I field as a true freshman requires more than just athletic ability; it demands a psychological armor that most players never develop.

Sydney breaks down the brutal realities of the recruiting process and the massive physical and mental gap between high school and SEC competition.

#10 Cam Jackson - The CEO Playbook

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:53:11 GMT

Most entrepreneurs fail because they treat business like a theory. Cam Jackson knows it’s a contact sport. From the gridiron to building a self-made empire, Cam learned early that scaling a company requires the exact same obsession, discipline, and pain tolerance as building an elite physique. Almavora strips away the fake-guru and delivers the unfiltered systems, mindset shifts, and brutal truths required to win in life and business. No fluff. No theory. Just the reps that actually move the needle.

#9 Caleigh King - Elite Sports Science & Mental Resilience

Nicholas Gonzalez — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 04:37:20 GMT

Most high school athletes think they are ready for Division 1. They aren't. At 17 years old, Caleigh King bypassed her senior year of high school to become the starting Libero for UNLV Volleyball—and immediately faced a massive physical and psychological reality check.

In this episode of Almavora, Nicholas Gonzalez breaks down the brutal transition from elite club sports to D1 pressure. Caleigh exposes the reality of extreme sports science testing, how to drag yourself out of a mid-season mental slump, and why "grinding" is a toxic substitute for actual mental health.

#8 Malakai Lily - The NIL Trap

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:13:22 GMT

From a Division 1 field hockey recruit to a Big Ten 400m hurdler, Malakai Lily’s journey is anything but traditional. In this episode of Athlete University, we uncover the brutal reality of what it takes to compete at the highest level when your body is failing you.

Kai opens up about the "fever dream" of moving from the UK to Indiana, the shock of getting benched after beating her dream school, and the terrifying decision to switch sports halfway through her college career. She also exposes the dark side of the NCAA for international students, including the shocking rule that bans her from making any money from NIL deals while in the US.

#7 Solomon Vanhorse - JMU to Indiana

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 20:16:02 GMT

Indiana Football is the biggest story in college sports right now. We sat down with RB Solomon Vanhorse to break down his incredible journey from a walk-on at JMU to the #2 team in the nation.

#6 James Pogorelc - JMU In The CFP!?

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 22:50:07 GMT

As the James Madison Dukes setoff to play in Eugene, Oregon we sit down with the James Pogorelc, offensive linemen for the Dukes to get the real scoop on his story on making it to a college football playoff.

#5 Nick Andersen - ACC Defensive Player of The Year

Nicholas Gonzalez — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:37:47 GMT

A true bet on yourself story where Nick Andersen talks about the highs, the lows, and always be where your feet are. The walk-on at Wake Forrest is now an ACC defensive player of the Year candidate and has a good understand of what it takes to succeed even if it doesn't go as planned the first time.

#4 Jamree Kromah - NFL DE: How to make it to the NFL

Nicholas Gonzalez — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:49:13 GMT

Many dream of playing in the NFL. Jamree Kromah made it his reality. The Chicago Bears DE joins the podcast to talk about his path from Rutgers, his transfer to James Madison to play under Curt Cignetti, and the relentless pursuit of his childhood goal. We get into the mindset, the sacrifice, and the moment he realized his dream was coming true. Tune in.

#3 Phoenix Sproles - Pro WR: How to block out the noise

Nicholas Gonzalez — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 01:59:36 GMT

From North Dakota State to James Madison University, Pro WR Phoenix Sproles has seen it all. He joins the show to share the powerful story of his path to the pros, including the gritty details of his transfer and what it was like playing for Curt Cignetti.

#2 Billy Atkins - JMU Football: From livestream to D1 offers

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:04:39 GMT

What does it really take to succeed as a D1 quarterback? JMU's Billy Atkins reveals the playbook. He goes deep on the grit needed to overcome serious adversity, shares his unfiltered guide to the recruitment process, and breaks down the leadership that led to JMU's first-ever bowl game win. This is the conversation every college QB needs to hear.

#1 The Player's-to-Coach's Playbook: What It Really Takes to Get on the Field

Nicholas Gonzalez — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:19:39 GMT

What's the real difference between a 5-star recruit and a 5-star player? We kick off Athlete University with a JMU legend, Julio Ayamel. From being the highest-rated recruit in program history to becoming a starting linebacker and now a D1 coach, he's seen the game from every angle. He shares the raw truth about what coaches actually look for and gives young athletes the playbook to earn their spot on the field.