Today, I interview Ryan Winterswyk, former walk-on turned star defensive end at Boise State, and former NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons.

Ryan talks candidly about:

• Walking on at Boise State and earning his role
• Life lessons from Coach Petersen’s program
• Transitioning to the NFL
• Becoming a coach and redefining purpose

This episode is about more than football—it's about mindset, resilience, and reinvention. Whether you're an athlete or just love a comeback story, this episode will inspire and inform.

Subscribe to hear from athletes and coaches across the globe who’ve seen success, struggle, and growth on and off the field.

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If you would like to watch the show, please feel free to follow me on YouTube and catch the video podcast from each of the guests!

https://youtu.be/yxDLILuN34M

Thinking about playing football at the next level?

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, we dive deep into the real-life journey of Carl Pickens, from high school standout to Freshman All-American at Tennessee, to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

This conversation is essential listening for:

🚨 Aspiring college and pro athletes

🚨 High school football players looking to understand the process

🚨 Parents and coaches helping athletes navigate transitions

🚨 Fans of 1990s NFL football (Boomer Esiason, Jeff Blake, Deion Sanders, and more!)

🎯 Key Questions Answered in this Episode
➤ How can players handle the disappointment of draft day?
Carl shares how being passed over by the Denver Broncos fueled his fire and how he embraced the unexpected call from Cincinnati.

➤ What’s the hardest part about the transition from high school to college football?
It’s not just the playbook—Carl talks about culture shock, homesickness, and learning how to re-prove yourself at every level.

➤ Can you make it to the NFL if you’re not a 5-star recruit?
Carl explains how mindset, consistency, and accountability matter more than rankings.

➤ What’s it really like to go from college to the pros?
From catching passes from Boomer Esiason to learning the pro playbook—Carl explains what being a professional means beyond just talent.

🧠 Top Takeaways from Carl Pickens
Accountability defines professionalism: From showing up on time to running clean routes, accountability is the #1 trait that separates the pros.

Setbacks are setups: From being redshirted at Tennessee to switching positions early in college, Carl used every obstacle as fuel.

You don’t have to be open to make a play: Learn how Carl won contested catches vs. elite DBs like Deion Sanders and Aeneas Williams.

Support systems matter: Carl’s family and coaches helped him stay grounded during the hardest transitions of his career.

Your “why” drives your success: He didn’t want to let his parents down—and that kept him focused during the grind of NFL life.

🏆 Highlights from the Interview

Playing high school basketball as a 6'1" forward and high jumping 7'1"

Being the only freshman receiver at Tennessee and transitioning to free safety

Being passed on by Denver during the NFL Draft and picked by Cincinnati instead

How turf vs. grass impacted his favorite stadiums (Denver, Cleveland)

Stories from the locker room: relationships with Darnay Scott, Boomer Esiason, and Jeff Blake

📍 Follow Carl Pickens on Instagram:
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/thecarlpickens

Want to see what Carl’s up to now? From motorcycles to horses to podcast appearances—he’s just getting started in his post-NFL journey.

🎙 About The Gametime Guru Podcast
Host: Shane Larson
Global reach: 182 countries
🔁 Weekly interviews with pro athletes, coaches, and sports visionaries

👉 Subscribe for more powerful conversations that reveal what it really takes to compete and succeed at the highest level of sports.

Are you a shorter basketball player trying to stand out?

This episode is for you. Former Boise State standout and pro guard Montigo Alford (aka Tigo) shares exactly how shorter guards can dominate, impact winning, and build long-term success—on and off the court.

📌 What You’ll Learn:

• How to succeed as a 5'9 guard in high school, college, and pro basketball
• Why being a great teammate matters just as much as stats
• The importance of film study, consistency, and controlling your controllables
• What the jump from junior college (CSI) to Division I (Boise State) really looks like
• Montigo's pro basketball journey: from Germany to Colombia to the TBL
• How to train like a pro—including game-day weightlifting routines
• Why branding your name as a high school athlete matters more than ever
• The mindset needed to come back from three shoulder surgeries and keep going
• Answering Key Questions:

Can shorter basketball players still earn D1 offers and pro contracts? → Yes. Montigo breaks down the exact mindset, training, and roles shorter guards must embrace.

What does "impacting winning" really mean? → It’s not about dropping 30 points—it’s about defense, leadership, and embracing your role.

Is lifting weights during the season a good idea? → Absolutely. Montigo even hits the leg press right before games.

Why is social media so important for athletes today? → Because your first and last name is your brand. Coaches want to see what you’re about.

💬 Top Quotes from Montigo Alford:

“Your first and last name is your brand—treat it like one.”

“At 5'9, they counted me out. I used the weight room, the film room, and my mentality to prove them wrong.”

“Discipline and consistency—that's what basketball gave me.”

“It’s not about being the guy, it’s about impacting winning.”

📍 Who Should Watch This:

• Undersized basketball players with D1 or pro dreams
• Coaches helping players find their role
• Athletes navigating the overseas basketball world
• Parents and trainers who want the truth about what it takes
• Anyone who values grit, development, and doing the work

👤 Follow Montigo Alford / TGO Pro Athletics:

Want to train with TGO in the Treasure Valley? Search TGO Pro Athletics on Instagram or reach out directly via his IG: @montigo_alford @tgoproathletics

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru Podcast for more raw, real, and insightful interviews with athletes around the world:

🎙 Hosted by Shane Larson
🌍 Streaming globally in 180+ countries

Today, I (Shane Larson) sit down with Bob Smith, founder and CEO of Nation’s Best Football—a platform that's become a cornerstone of athlete branding, NIL education, and nationwide football coverage from youth to pro. With 15+ years of spotlighting athletes and connecting them to life-changing opportunities, Bob shares his journey building the Nation’s Best ecosystem and his vision for the future of NIL, digital sports marketing, and community-driven athlete development.

🏈 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

How Nation’s Best went from a niche football page to a multi-platform sports brand

The evolution of youth football, club travel teams, and national tournaments

The truth about NIL in 2025 — challenges, legal shifts, and what's coming next

How athletes can safely monetize their name, image, and likeness with structure

Exclusive insight on Nation’s Best NIL Dream Team, spotlight campaigns, and business partnerships

Why authenticity, connection, and brand-building are the new keys to athlete success

🧠 Whether you're a high school athlete, college coach, brand rep, or sports parent — this is your masterclass in modern football marketing and NIL impact.

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EXPLORE NATION'S BEST + NIL RESOURCES
Main Website: https://www.nationsbestfootball.com
NIL Dream Team Hub: https://www.nildreamteam.com
Contact: info@nationsbestfootball.com

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🔗 FOLLOW NATION’S BEST ONLINE

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Nationsbestawards
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nationsbestnildreamteam
Twitter/X: https://x.com/nationsbestNIL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationsBestFootball/
LinkedIn (Bob Smith): https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-smith-0011a2118/

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EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction: How Shane and Bob met
03:00 – What Is Nation’s Best?
07:00 – The Growth of Youth Football
11:00 – Athlete Spotlights: From Pop Warner to D1
20:00 – How NIL Is Changing in 2025
31:00 – Building the NIL Dream Team
38:00 – Business Partnerships & Brand Expansion
45:00 – Nation’s Best Fantasy, Flag, Natty, and More
50:00 – Lessons From 15 Years in Sports Media

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#NIL #NationBestFootball #YouthFootball #AthleteBranding #NIL2025 #FootballPodcast #NILDreamTeam #GametimeGuru #HighSchoolFootball #NILEducation

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I interview Anthony Tucker, the founder of Hoop Habits and former professional basketball player who competed overseas and in the Big Ten.

From winning a high school state championship to building a training facility focused on mindset, recovery, and development, Anthony shares powerful insights on how to navigate the transition from athlete to entrepreneur.

TOPICS COVERED:

The mindset required for professional basketball

Overcoming being cut and bouncing back stronger

How AAU basketball has changed (and where it’s headed)

Building a youth basketball training business from the ground up

The role of nutrition, recovery, and sports psychology in long-term athletic success

Life after sports: translating athletic skills into the business world

RESOURCES & LINKS:

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✅ Learn more about Anthony’s elite training program: https://www.hoophabits.com
✅ Follow Hoop Habits on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoophabitstraining
✅ AAU Info: https://www.hoophabitselite.com
📩 Contact: info@hoophabits.com

Whether you're an aspiring college athlete, basketball parent, or someone looking to build mental toughness in life or sport, this interview delivers value-packed takeaways that apply on and off the court.

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CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 – Intro to Anthony Tucker
03:00 – Playing in the Big Ten & Overseas
07:00 – AAU Basketball Evolution
10:00 – Mental Health & Performance Pressure
15:00 – Life Lessons from College Hoops
22:00 – Professional Basketball Realities
30:00 – Starting Hoop Habits
38:00 – Business Challenges in Sports Training
44:00 – Nutrition, Recovery & Mindset for Young Athletes
50:00 – Final Thoughts on Goals & Grit

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Support the Show
This podcast is brought to you by Timberline Digital Marketing – helping small businesses grow through smart digital strategies. Head to www.timberlinedigitalmarketing.com

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode with a fellow hooper or sports parent!

#BasketballPodcast #AthleteMindset #HoopHabits #AAUBasketball #YouthDevelopment #MentalToughness #BasketballTraining #AnthonyTucker #GametimeGuru

The last time I spoke with Colby Blaine, was back in 2020, and we were able to hear about what he was building over at College of Idaho for their men's basketball program. Since that time SO MUCH has happened, which is exactly why I needed to circle back with the man to hear the updates.

The Yotes basketball program won the national championship in 2023 and 2025 with some big runs into the Elite 8 and the Fab 4 of the NAIA National Tournament in the past few years. He's also finished with an NABC NAIA Coach of the Year award in 2023 and 2025.

According to Wikipedia "The NABC Coach of the Year is an award given annually by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to recognize the top head coach in men's college basketball across the four largest college athletic associations in the United States."

To say Coach Blaine has achieved success at this program, would be a massive understatement. And it's due in large part to his amazing leadership qualities! His ability to get his players to rally behind him is incredible.

We'll learn from him about many aspects of coaching, recruiting, growth mindset, personal development and more!

If you're looking to be a better leader in your life, this is one you're going to need to tap into!

Thanks for tuning into the show and for showing your support! Please make sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button here on YouTube so you can catch all the new interviews as they come out :)

#CollegeofIdaho #LegacyDriven #CoachOfTheYear

In this powerful and insightful interview on The Gametime Guru Podcast, I’m joined by former NFL offensive lineman Matt Skura, best known for his time with the Baltimore Ravens. We dive deep into Matt's football journey—from his college days at Duke University, to the brutal grind of the NFL trenches, and the personal battles he's faced off the field.

Matt shares:

• What it was like to play college football at Duke and his favorite on-field memories

• The biggest transitions he faced entering the NFL and the moment he realized he had made it

• His most physically demanding experiences in the league and how he learned to adapt

• How he used technique and football IQ to compete, even when he wasn’t the most athletic guy on the field

• The moment he knew it was time to hang up the cleats and transition into life after football

• A vulnerable and inspiring conversation about mental health, the loss of his father to suicide, and why he now advocates for mental and emotional well-being

• The importance of preparing yourself mentally and physically to succeed on and off the field

Matt’s story is one of grit, intelligence, and purpose—a must-listen for any athlete, coach, or parent who wants to understand the game of football beyond the scoreboard.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Timberline Digital Marketing – the go-to team for all your SEO, content, paid ads, and digital growth strategies. Visit www.timberlinedigitalmarketing.com to level up your online presence.

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru Podcast and don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear Matt’s inspiring message.

Matt's Newsletter is one you'll want to subscribe to: https://mattskura.substack.com/

Please checkout Matt's story here: https://mhaofcc.org/news/mens-mental-health-we-see-you

Abu Kigab is a former Boise State and Oregon basketball player. He's now playing professionally overseas and is making an impact with the game of basketball. In this 400th episode of The Gametime Guru, we are diving into what it truly takes to compete at a high level.

Abu talks about the importance of taking care of your body. How nutrition and sleep play such an important role in your ability to play at 100% during your career and he speaks on the importance of discipline and consistency when trying to level up your game.

It's intriguing to hear from someone who is actively competing, on just how much work is required to truly be great at what you do. There is a lot of work and study that you need to do in order to stay on top of your game.

If you are an aspiring athlete who wants to truly get to the next level, this is a great episode to tune into!

You'll understand just exactly why Sam Winter had good things to say about him in our previous interview!

#ProfessionalBasketball #OverseasBasketball

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If you would like to watch the show, please feel free to follow me on YouTube and catch the video podcast from each of the guests!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHG9H7vljaLwQ765GIdBQA