RU STRONG

Jeff Durr

3.9 (8)
Mental Health
Updated Daily

Welcome to RU Strong, hosted by Jeff Durr! This podcast is a platform for current and former college athletes to share their stories of resilience, perseverance, and strength. Join us as we delve into the mental and physical challenges athletes encounter both on and off the field. From the intense pressures of competition to the transition out of sports, we'll explore how these experiences shape their lives.

3d ago

Beyond The Game - Erin Sarles Bowers & Thomas Roe - Episode 157

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. Today, I’m joined by two remarkable leaders who are changing the way athletes, parents, and coaches think about success. Erin Sarles Bowers is an executive and leadership coach, a former corporate leader, and the co-founder and CEO of Blueprint to Blue Chip. Drawing on her professional experience and her journey as the mother of two young athletes, Erin helps people develop the character, confidence, and identity needed to thrive far beyond the playing field. Joining her is Thomas Roe, a former University of Arizona football player whose career-ending neck injury forced him to rebuild his identity at just 19 years old. Today, Thomas brings more than 25 years of experience in sports performance and rehabilitation to his work as co-creator and CEO of Blueprint to Blue Chip. He’s also an Ironman, a Route 66 endurance cyclist, and the author of Swim, Bike, Run, Date and F-Bombs: From Average to Asset. Together, Erin and Thomas co-host The Standard Podcast and help athletes become not only bigger, faster, and stronger, but people of character, integrity, and discipline, with every step. Today, we’ll talk about adversity, identity, parenting young athletes, and why preparing for life beyond sports may be the most important training of all. Please welcome Thomas Roe and Erin Sarles Bowers to the RU Strong Podcast.
3d ago

The Intentional Edge - Jeff Jones - Episode 156

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today we’re talking about what it means to develop the intentional edge. My guest is Jeff Jones, the Head Football Athletic Performance Coach at the University of Northern Iowa and the author of The Intentional Edge: 10 Reps to Mental Toughness. Across more than 20 years in athletic performance, Jeff has coached at programs including Boise State, Arkansas State, Auburn, Appalachian State, Luther College, and Fairfield High School. Along the way, he has contributed to conference championships, Fiesta Bowl victories, and a BCS National Championship appearance. But Jeff is much more than his résumé. He is a husband, father, mentor, and lifelong learner who cares deeply about continuous improvement and making a difference in the lives of others. His philosophy is simple but powerful: mental toughness isn’t something we merely talk about—it’s something we train through intentional reps. In this conversation, Jeff shares how transformational coaches shaped his life, why relationships must come before results, and how gratitude, discipline, confidence, identity, and purpose help us respond to adversity. We also explore why training the mind matters far beyond sports—and how small, intentional choices can change the way we perform, lead, and live. This episode is about building resilient people, not just stronger athletes. It is my honor to welcome Jeff Jones.
Aug 8

Bet On Yourself - Kennedy Muff Episode 155

What happens when you're willing to bet on yourself? This week on the RU Strong Podcast, I'm joined by former collegiate volleyball standout Kennedy Muff, and her journey is one every athlete, coach, parent, and leader needs to hear. Kennedy went from being a four-time conference champion and All-American setter at Flagler College to taking one of the biggest risks of her career,walking on at the University of Florida. No guarantees. No promises. Just belief in herself. That leap of faith earned her a scholarship and a starting role on one of the nation's premier volleyball programs. But this episode goes far beyond volleyball. We dive into the mental and physical challenges of recovering from devastating injuries, the discipline it takes to rehab while everyone else is living life, and the emotional reality of having your athletic identity taken away sooner than expected. Kennedy shares what it's really like to battle through ACL, MCL, and meniscus injuries, the sacrifices required to return to competition, and the transition every athlete eventually faces when the game comes to an end. We also discuss: 🏐 Why the setter is the "quarterback" of a volleyball team. 🏐 The recruiting process and how she found the right college fit. 🏐 Leadership, communication, and building trust with teammates. 🏐 Why investing in yourself is never a sacrifice. 🏐 How the lessons learned through athletics continue to shape success in business and life. Kennedy's story is one of courage, resilience, humility, and relentless perseverance. If you've ever faced adversity, questioned your next step, or wondered who you are beyond your sport, this conversation will leave you inspired.
Aug 2

BUILDING CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE - Joe Adam - Episode 154

What does it really take to build a championship culture in today's ever-changing world of college football? This week on the RU Strong Podcast, I sit down with Joe Adam, the all-time winningest head football coach in the history of Saint Anselm College. Coach Adam's journey is one of grit, perseverance, and leadership, from fighting for an opportunity as an overlooked player, to helping win two NCAA Division II National Championships at Grand Valley State, to learning under legendary coach Brian Kelly, and ultimately building a winning culture of his own. In this powerful conversation, Joe shares: • How being overlooked fueled his success. • The lessons he learned from championship teams. • The leadership principles that create winning cultures. • His perspective on NIL, the transfer portal, and the future of college football. • Why serving others and developing young people has become his life's mission. Whether you're an athlete, coach, business leader, parent, or simply someone chasing excellence, this episode is packed with timeless lessons on resilience, leadership, and staying true to your values. This isn't just a football conversation, it's a masterclass on building people, building teams, and building a legacy.
Jul 27

Beyond the Game: Building Your Brand - Sabrina Oostburg - Episode 153

Every once in a while, I have a guest who completely changes the way I think about a topic. Sabrina Oostburg did exactly that. When most people hear "NIL," they think about big contracts, endorsements, and college athletes making money. Sabrina sees something much bigger. She sees opportunities, personal branding, and preparing athletes for success long after their playing days are over. Sabrina's story is incredible. She started as a Division I track and field athlete, earned her degree in Sports Administration from Belmont University, built a social media following of more than 150,000 people, founded NIL Roadmap, and has become one of the brightest young voices helping student athletes navigate the ever-changing world of NIL. What I loved most about our conversation wasn't just her knowledge, it was her passion. She genuinely wants to help athletes avoid the mistakes she had to figure out on her own. We talked about building a personal brand, protecting your reputation, creating opportunities, preparing for life after sports, and why your name may be the most valuable asset you'll ever own. Whether you're a student-athlete, coach, parent, athletic administrator, or just someone who wants to understand where college athletics is headed, this episode is full of practical advice and fresh perspectives. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I think you will too. If you enjoy the conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from Sabrina's story. #RUStrong #NIL #StudentAthletes #PersonalBrand #Leadership #CollegeAthletics #SportsBusiness #AthleteDevelopment #Podcast
Jul 20

Building Champions On And Off The Field - Stephen Bienko - Episode 152

You know, occasionally, you meet someone whose story reminds you that success isn't built by taking the easy road, it's built by choosing challenges that most people would run from. Today's guest is one of those people. Stephen Bienko has spent his entire life pushing himself beyond what most people think is possible. As a young athlete, he earned the opportunity to attend the United States Air Force Academy, where he competed in Division I football, track and field, and even boxing, all while balancing one of the toughest academic and military environments in the country. Later, he transferred to Villanova, where he continued competing as a Division I athlete. But athletics were just the beginning. Stephen went on to build the Institute of Athletic Performance, where he's helped develop NFL, MLB, NBA, Olympic-level, and hundreds of collegiate athletes. Today, as the co-founder of 42U, he's helping student-athletes navigate the ever-changing world of NIL, personal branding, career development, and life beyond sports. What I enjoyed most about this conversation wasn't just his accomplishments, it was his honesty. We talk about what it feels like to be overwhelmed, leaving home at 18, struggling mentally at the Air Force Academy, making one of the toughest decisions of his life, and the lessons that shaped the man he is today. We also dive into leadership, fatherhood, resilience, and why he believes today's athletes have opportunities that previous generations never imagined. So, sit back, enjoy the conversation, and as always Be encouraged. Be inspired. And most importantly, Be RU Strong. Please help me welcome my guest, Stephen Bienko.
Jul 19

From Running at Rutgers to Running for Congress - Walter Kirkland Episode 151

Today's guest is someone I've been looking forward to talking with. Walter Kirkland has lived an incredible life. He came to Rutgers on a full scholarship and went on to become a four-time All-American, an NCAA National Champion, and a member of the Rutgers Athletic Hall of Fame. But what really impressed me is that he didn't stop competing when his track career ended. He took that same work ethic, discipline, and competitive drive into the business world, where he built an outstanding career with companies like Xerox, Honeywell, Samsung, and GE Healthcare. Everywhere he went, he found success because he approached business the same way he approached competition with preparation, consistency, and an attitude that said, I'm going to outwork everyone else. But here's what I appreciate most about Walter, He believes success isn't just about what you accomplish, it's about what you give back. Today he's mentoring hundreds of young people, helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and hope for their future. And now, he's taken on one of the biggest challenges of his life by stepping into the political arena and running for Congress. In this conversation, we talk about his journey from Rutgers to corporate America, why athletes have such an advantage in business, the importance of mentorship, the lessons he's learned through success and adversity, and what it really takes to lead when the stakes are high. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, a business professional, or someone chasing a big dream, I think you're going to take something away from Walter's story. So let's get after it. Here's my conversation with Walter Kirkland.
Jul 19

THE CHAMPION & THE COACH - ROB KOLL- Episode 150

I got to sit down with someone I've been looking forward to talking with for a long time. When people think about the greatest coaches in college wrestling, today's guest is always part of that conversation. But what makes him so impressive isn't just the championships he's won or the All-Americans he's coached, it's the impact he's had on thousands of athletes over the course of his career. As a wrestler, he was a National Champion at North Carolina, a four-time All-American, and one of the best to ever wear a Tar Heel singlet. Then he took over at Cornell and completely transformed that program into a national powerhouse. Along the way, he won 20 conference championships, coached dozens of All-Americans and NCAA finalists, developed multiple National Champions, and built a culture that became the standard for college wrestling. After helping rebuild Stanford Wrestling, he returned home to North Carolina, where he's once again building something special. But here's what I really wanted to talk to him about... How do you stay motivated after you've already accomplished so much? How do you build a championship culture year after year? How do you lead young people through adversity, through change, and now through an era of NIL and the transfer portal? Those are the conversations that matter. Whether you're a coach, an athlete, a business leader, or someone who's simply trying to become the best version of yourself, I think you're going to take something away from this episode. So sit back, enjoy the conversation, and help me welcome one of the most respected coaches in the history of college wrestling. Coach Rob Koll.

3.9

out of 5

8 Ratings

This podcast is great!

12/14/2024

Roxy NM

Fantastic content and insights from the host and guests. Highly recommend!

Welcome to RU Strong, hosted by Jeff Durr! This podcast is a platform for current and former college athletes to share their stories of resilience, perseverance, and strength. Join us as we delve into the mental and physical challenges athletes encounter both on and off the field. From the intense pressures of competition to the transition out of sports, we'll explore how these experiences shape their lives.

Creator

Jeff Durr
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

157
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Jeff Durr
Show Website

RU STRONG

Comedy

Comedy

Updated Semiweekly