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RU STRONG

Jeff Durr
Rutgers University
Mental Health
Lacrosse
Soccer
Wrestling
Leadership
University Of Maine
Coaching
Cornell University
Mindset
Entrepreneurship
NFL
Football
Pole Vault
Ohio State University
Baseball
Stanford University
Olympics
College Football
Volleyball

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 t... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes170Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for RU STRONG

Latest Episodes

What happens when you do everything you can to reach a goal and the outcome still doesn’t come?

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast! Today’s guest is Jason Kaul, a former Stanford University football player whose journey offers powerful lessons in... more

Today’s guest is Kelsey Walker, a former Rutgers University Division I lacrosse player whose story is about much more than what happened on the field.

Growing up in Rumson, New Jersey, Kelsey was a standout two-sport athlete at Rumson-Fair Haven. Sh... more

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast! Today’s guest is Mitch Lyons, a former NFL tight end whose journey shows what it takes to keep moving forward when life changes your game plan.

Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mitch knew his family didn’t... more

What if one decision to try something new changed the course of your life?

In 2004, Michelle Simpson planned to volunteer at the Olympic Games in Athens. At the last minute, she chose a different adventure: she searched online for a field hockey cam... more

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Recent Guests

Jason Kaul
Premier sports psychology consultant; director of Leadership U program; former Stanford football player
Premier Sports Psychology
Episode: Be Ready When Your Moment Comes - Jason Kaul - Episode 170
Kelsey Walker
Former Rutgers lacrosse player, Box Lacrosse player, mental health advocate
Onrise; Rutgers alum
Episode: More Than Lacrosse - Kelsey Walker - Episode 169
Mitch Lyons
Former NFL player, founder and president of Mitch Lyons Wealth
Mitch Lyons Wealth
Episode: When The Game Ends - Mitch Lyons - Episode 168
Michelle Simpson
Athlete and administrator with a long career in field hockey
University of Maine (current) / University at Albany (former)
Episode: From Player To Purpose - Michelle Simpson - Episode 167
Patrick Nugent
Founder of Nugent Company; creator of Find A Way framework; leadership and resilience keynote
Nugent Company
Episode: Find A Way - Patrick Nugent - Episode 166
JR Butler
Founder and CEO, Shift Group
Shift Group
Episode: After The Final Whistle - JR Butler - Episode 165
Gabi Leon
Pole vaulter, United States Track Team member
Louisville Cardinals (formerly), United States Track Team
Episode: She Was Afraid To Jump - Gabi Leon - Episode 164
Colton Emeott
Pole vaulter; former Nebraska and Grand Valley State University athlete; EK High School alumnus
East Kentwood High School / University of Nebraska / Grand Valley State University
Episode: Vaulting Through Legacy - Colton, Macey, Reece Emeott - Episode 163
Macey Emeott
Pole vaulter; alumna of East Kentwood and Saginaw Valley State University; studying orthotics and prosthetics
Saginaw Valley State University / Eastern Michigan University
Episode: Vaulting Through Legacy - Colton, Macey, Reece Emeott - Episode 163

Host

Jeff Durr
Host of RU Strong

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • This podcast is great!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hxiz ev
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host helps translate athletic experience into tangible business and life skills.
Audience feedback often highlights practical frameworks and mentoring insights.
Guests consistently deliver actionable, relatable strategies for athletes and leaders.
Sponsorship-friendly topics include NIL education, leadership development, and program building.
Stories cover a wide range of sports, enhancing cross-discipline applicability.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Be Ready When Your Moment Comes - Jason Kaul - Episode 170
Q: What does mindfulness or flow feel like on the field, and how can athletes train to stay in that state?
He details flow as being fully present, often in peak performance where players recall little post-game, and emphasizes training attention, body language, and practical routines to shift from anxious self-talk to action in the moment.
Be Ready When Your Moment Comes - Jason Kaul - Episode 170
Q: How did the academic and athletic load at Stanford shape your mental approach to performance?
He describes feeling like a 'PhD in football' and balancing intense practices with top-tier academics, revealing how early years required learning to manage stress, and how psychology emerged as a vocational passion during college.
Be Ready When Your Moment Comes - Jason Kaul - Episode 170
Q: When did you know that football would be your sport and eventually lead you to Stanford?
He explains that basketball looked like a better college path early on, but a late football breakthrough and a pivotal connection with a Stanford coach led him to pursue football, ultimately becoming a preferred walk-on rather than on a scholarship, while still focusing on leadership and academics.
More Than Lacrosse - Kelsey Walker - Episode 169
Q: What advice would you give current athletes about mental health and asking for help?
Seek help proactively, normalize therapy and peer support, and remember that asking for help is a strength that benefits the whole team, not just the individual.
More Than Lacrosse - Kelsey Walker - Episode 169
Q: What was the toughest part of the transition out of college athletics?
Losing playing time and identity was hard, but I found purpose by embracing therapy, mentorship, and roles off the field like Box Lacrosse and work with Onrise, which helped redefine who I am beyond sports.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About RU STRONG

What is RU STRONG about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on resilience, leadership, and identity beyond sport, often anchored by former and current athletes who share how they navigated injuries, transfers, NIL opportunities, and life after competition. Episodes weave practical frameworks for personal growth with behind-the-scenes looks at coaching, program-building, and career transitions, frequently highlighting mentorship, family support, and community impact. A standout throughline is turning athletic experience into transferable skills—leadership, financial literacy, branding, and entrepreneurship—made tangible through real-world stories and actionable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and sponsors alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for RU STRONG?

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How many listeners does RU STRONG get?

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What are the audience demographics for RU STRONG?

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How many subscribers and views does RU STRONG have?

To see how many followers or subscribers RU STRONG has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to RU STRONG?

These podcasts share a similar audience with RU STRONG:

1. Better Coaching with Luke Gromer
2. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
3. Literally! With Rob Lowe

How many episodes of RU STRONG are there?

RU STRONG launched 2 years ago and published 170 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact RU STRONG?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for RU STRONG?

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What guests have appeared on RU STRONG?

Recent guests on RU STRONG include:

1. Jason Kaul
2. Kelsey Walker
3. Mitch Lyons
4. Michelle Simpson
5. Patrick Nugent
6. JR Butler
7. Gabi Leon
8. Colton Emeott

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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