Get ready for a compelling episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Joe Semanoff, former BYU fullback whose journey from Philadelphia walk-on to RB team captain exemplifies perseverance and leadership. After driving cross-country in an '88 Honda Accord with just a VHS highlight reel delivered by his sister, Joe earned his spot alongside legendary running backs Luke Staley, Harvey Unga, Manase Tonga, and Fui Vakapuna in one of the most talented backfields in BYU history.

His wake-up call came when 315-pound defensive end Manaia Brown effortlessly scooped him up during his first scout team practice, teaching him the difference between high school and college football. Playing through the transition from Gary Crowton's laissez-faire approach to Bronco Mendenhall's disciplined corporate-style structure, Joe witnessed firsthand how accountability, discipline, and effort transformed team culture.

As running back captain, he participated in leadership meetings where coaches asked players to set their own goals, creating unprecedented buy-in when the staff committed to helping achieve those player-driven objectives. Through stories of the Spartan shield exercise where teammates shared their deepest motivations, the game-changing touchdown catch against New Mexico that "altered the program trajectory," and the brotherhood forged through running back by committee, Joe reveals how authentic relationships and shared sacrifice create championship culture.

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Lucky Finau, BYU running back whose journey exemplifies resilience and faith. When a mass tumor on his heart nearly ended his football dreams before they began, Lucky faced emergency surgery that broke his sternum and ribs just weeks before fall camp, forcing him to redshirt his first year at BYU.

For months during his mission in Birmingham, Alabama, he couldn't breathe properly and lost his voice for nearly a year, unaware that his heart condition was slowly stealing his strength. Now fully recovered and entering his third "freshman" year, Lucky has become the spark plug of BYU's locker room, bringing infectious joy and authentic energy that unites players from diverse backgrounds and faiths.

As the nephew of head coach Kalani Sitaki and cousin of PGA Tour star Tony Finau, Lucky understands both the pressure and privilege of his position, wearing number 45 - the same number once worn by his position coach Harvey Unga and host Mike Lacey.

Through stories of serving a mission in "Roll Tide" country where he used Alabama football to connect with locals, navigating the complexities of NIL while maintaining team unity, and switching from linebacker to running back to help the team, Lucky demonstrates how gratitude and brotherhood create championship culture. His message resonates beyond football: someone always has it worse, so stay grateful for what you have, keep working toward your dreams, and surround yourself with teammates who lift you up when discouragement creeps in.

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Opening

0:42 - Meet Lucky Finau

1:10 - Third Freshman Year Explained

1:36 - Heart Tumor Discovery and Surgery

2:40 - Mission Health Struggles

4:02 - Surgery Before Fall Camp

4:46 - Recovery with Coach T

5:11 - Family Connections to Tony Finau

6:02 - Uncle Kalani Sitaki Relationship

7:03 - Locker Room Personality

8:13 - Team Chemistry and Authenticity

9:24 - Running Back vs Fullback Role

10:52 - Running Back Depth Chart

12:21 - Team Unity Across Cultures

14:44 - Religious Diversity and Acceptance

16:34 - Coach Sitaki's Tradition

17:44 - NIL Era and Team Dynamics

20:35 - Birmingham Alabama Mission

22:34 - Roll Tide Connection Stories

24:52 - Mission Companions from Team

25:32 - Personal and Team Aspirations

27:35 - Gary Bohanon's Leadership

29:40 - Transfer Portal Impact

33:26 - Message to Cougar Nation

34:58 - Gratitude and Perspective

36:38 - Team Service to Community

36:45 - Closing Thoughts

Get ready for a compelling episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Chris Burgess, BYU's assistant coach and former McDonald's All-American who chose between Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, and UCLA before his basketball journey took him around the world.

From being recruited by legendary coaches like Coach K, Rick Pitino, and Roy Williams to playing professionally in 11 countries across Ukraine, Turkey, Australia, and the Philippines, Chris's path led him back to Provo with invaluable global perspective. As BYU's big man developer, he's transformed players like Fousseyni Traore and Aly Khalifa while preparing for the arrival of AJ Dybantsa and building around rising stars like Egor Demin and Richie Saunders.

His coaching philosophy centers on creating "joy in the gym" rather than fear-based motivation, building authentic relationships through honest communication and the 3-to-1 ratio of positive reinforcement. Drawing from mentorship by Duke's Quinn Snyder, Burge emphasizes that today's players thrive on truth-telling coaches who invest in them personally, not just during practice hours.

Through stories of Keba's Superman dunks, Egor's leadership, and the team chemistry that carried BYU to the Sweet 16, Burg reveals how modern coaching requires vulnerability, authenticity, and genuine care for each player's development beyond basketball. His message, supported by wife Lisa's sacrificial journey documented in her book "Behind the Bench," demonstrates that championship culture isn't built through intimidation but through love, honesty, and unwavering commitment to the mission that makes BYU basketball special.

Check out "Behind the Bench" by Lesa Burgess: https://a.co/d/dbH6mHN

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Lily Owens, BYU softball standout who transferred from Lehigh University to make her mark in the Big 12.

With a .361 batting average and infectious personality both on and off the field, Lily brings a unique combination of trash-talking competitiveness and deep compassion rooted in her mother's teachings about leading with love. Raised by a single Catholic mother in Chino Hills, California, Lily learned early that "life is too short to apply yourself onto somebody else" - a philosophy that guides her approach to breaking down barriers and building bridges.

Despite facing pushback from family and friends who questioned her decision to attend BYU, Lily discovered a community of love and respect that exceeded her expectations. Following in the footsteps of her grandfather who briefly played football at BYU, Lily is completing what he started while pursuing her dream of becoming a politician.

Through stories of game-winning hits against Utah, candy rewards for team success, and her academic focus on political science with minors in Africana studies and English, Lily demonstrates how sports teach life lessons about resilience, teamwork, and approaching every challenge with faith over fear. Her message emphasizes that true civil discourse comes from understanding others' perspectives, leading with kindness, and remembering that what we do for others is our gift to God.

Get ready for a compelling episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Carson Lundell, former BYU golf standout who came within inches of qualifying for the US Open. From hitting birdies in torrential downpours at Alpine Country Club to walking eight miles in Ohio just to watch Tony Finau play before his own 36-hole qualifier, Carson's journey exemplifies resilience under pressure.

After winning multiple state championships at Lone Peak High School, Carson chose to serve a mission in Tucson, Arizona, sacrificing two years of prime development time that many warned would derail his golf career. Instead, he returned home and immediately captured sixth place in his first tournament.

Playing for legendary coaches Bruce Brockbank and Todd Miller at BYU, Carson discovered that Cougar golf represents more than competition - it's a family culture where coaches care about your happiness in life, not just your scorecard. Through heartbreaking playoff losses, weather-delayed tournaments, and the unique challenges of playing Sunday rounds in a different time slot due to BYU's honor code, Carson learned that golf mirrors life perfectly: you can hit great shots and be penalized, make great decisions and catch bad breaks, but character is built in how you respond and bounce back. His philosophy centers on approaching every challenge with confidence and belief but choosing faith over doubt in every aspect of life makes all the difference.

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Get ready for a compelling episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Terrance Motley, BYU's Director of Football Rehabilitation who coordinates post-operative, return-to-sport, and maintenance-based physical therapy interventions for the entire football program.

From walking on as an offensive guard under coach Mendenhall to winning back-to-back national rugby championships in 2013 and 2014, Terrance's journey took him from 315 pounds on the football field to losing 50 pounds in one summer to compete with Polynesian rugby legends from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. After earning his PhD in physical therapy and serving a mission in Italy's Milan region, Terrance now directs comprehensive rehabilitation protocols while functioning as an adjunct to the strength and conditioning staff to implement modified training for players unable to fully participate.

His philosophy centers on "exposure to stress" - the principle that controlled adversity creates strength, whether rehabilitating a torn bicep, overcoming a devastating Lisfranc foot injury, or navigating life's challenges. Collaborating with athletic training, team doctors, and coaches to make critical return-to-play decisions, Terrance uses innovative techniques including the "stoplight method" for pain management, helping players distinguish between productive discomfort and dangerous pain.

Through stories of helping Andrew Gentry recover from complex foot surgery, witnessing players transform adversity into leadership, and his own experience defying doctors who said he'd never squat again after knee surgery, Terrance reveals how physical rehabilitation mirrors spiritual principles of growth through trial. His message is centered on how adversity introduces us to ourselves, showing what we're truly made of and providing opportunities to become stronger through the very weaknesses we're given to overcome.

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Video Chapters

0:00 - Introduction

0:40 - Meet Terrance Motley

1:01 - Walk-On Football Experience

1:35 - Finding Rugby After Football

2:23 - Rugby Safety vs. Football

2:47 - National Rugby Championships

4:10 - Body Types in Rugby vs. Football

4:51 - Weight Loss Transformation

5:58 - Power and Speed in Big Athletes

7:01 - Rugby Nicknames and Team Culture

7:32 - Andrew Gentry Recruitment Story

8:51 - Lisfranc Injury Explanation

10:35 - Injury Prevention Philosophy

12:29 - Exposure to Stress Principle

13:17 - Coaching Pressure vs. Player Safety

14:44 - Mental Side of Injury Recovery

15:25 - Stoplight Pain Management Method

16:26 - Pain Tolerance and Brain Response

17:35 - Life Lessons from Physical Stress

18:29 - Spiritual Application of Adversity

19:00 - Player Testimonials and Relationships

19:26 - Non-Sport Injury Statistics

20:02 - Best Strength Staff in Country

21:24 - Facility Upgrades at BYU

22:12 - Healing Facilities Location

23:20 - Field Work and Modified Training24:50 - The Motley Crew Family

25:13 - Meeting His Wife

26:01 - Italy Milan Mission Experience

27:16 - Gift of Tongues in Italian

28:03 - Message to Cougar Nation

30:03 - Value of Sports in Life

31:37 - Adversity and Self-Discovery

35:04 - Personal Knee Surgery Story

37:01 - Outro

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Danny Holmoe, son of former BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe and founder of Rec League. From growing up in the rarified air of college and professional football - running onto Cal's Memorial Stadium field with the team and sitting in locker rooms with NFL legends like Deion Sanders - Danny chose the entrepreneurship path over athletics.

After studying advertising at BYU and becoming one of the first 200 employees at Qualtrics during its startup phase, Danny gained invaluable experience helping create the X4 conference that brought President Obama, Elton John, and Imagine Dragons to Salt Lake City. His philosophy of "you can't ever say that's not my job" from Ryan Smith's startup culture shaped his work ethic as he managed everything from counting chairs to working meet-and-greet lines with world leaders.

Rather than staying comfortable in corporate success, Danny took the entrepreneurial leap to launch Rec League, a premium swag company that's determined to make BYU "the swaggiest fan base in the country."

Through stories of morning drives with his father from Foster City to Berkeley listening to everything from Snoop Dogg to Eric Clapton, intimate conversations with Deion Sanders about life and religion, and witnessing his father's genuine care for every student-athlete regardless of their star status, Danny reveals how family values translate into business success. His message emphasizes that the more you risk, the more you have to gain, especially when you're building something you can call your own while maintaining the personal relationships and integrity that define true leadership.

Check out Rec League: https://recleague.co/

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Video Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:50 - Meet Danny Holmoe

1:23 - Family Perks

2:18 - Tom Holmoe's Retirement Transition

3:44 - Rec League and Design Philosophy

5:15 - Rec League Store Location and Hours

6:22 - Visiting Team Merchandise Strategy

7:00 - BYU's Welcoming Fan Base Reputation

8:01 - Online Presence and Expansion Plans

8:52 - Corporate Merchandise Business

9:06 - Why Business Over Football

10:13 - BYU Advertising Program Experience

10:43 - Career Choice Considerations

12:28 - Technology's Impact on Entrepreneurship

13:10 - Landing at Qualtrics

14:28 - Early Qualtrics Days (2010-2011)

16:25 - Stock Options as Early Employee

16:51 - Why Leave Qualtrics for Rec League

17:19 - Entrepreneurial Lifestyle and Flexibility

18:12 - Risk vs. Reward Philosophy

21:29 - X4 Conference Experience

22:39 - Celebrity Speakers and Concerts

23:03 - "That's Not My Job" Philosophy

24:25 - Imagine Dragons Backstage Story

25:26 - President Obama Meet and Greet

26:30 - Fan vs. Family Emotional Connection

27:58 - Growing Up in California Coaching

30:00 - Running Out with Cal Team

30:36 - Old Man at Practice Story

31:45 - Father-Son Car Rides to Berkeley

33:09 - NFL Connections Through Dad

34:22 - Tom's Coaching Prowess

35:46 - Deion Sanders Childhood Idol

37:08 - Baseball Game with Deion

40:44 - Deion's Marketing Genius

42:04 - BYU vs. National Market Strategy

43:10 - Sibling Competitiveness

44:19 - Tom's Love for Student-Athletes

46:04 - Personal Testimony About Tom

47:30 - Outro

To conclude season 6, get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU wide receiver Kody Epps. From playing alongside future NFL stars like Bryce Young and Amon-Ra St. Brown at powerhouse Mater Dei High School to becoming the first freshman at BYU to record consecutive 100-yard receiving games, Kody's journey exemplifies resilience and purposeful living.

After catching passes from quarterbacks like Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall, a devastating foot injury nearly ended his career, forcing him into what he calls "deep discovery mode" to understand his body and overcome adversity. Despite not being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kody found his favorite classes at BYU were actually his religion courses, where he embraced an "infant perspective" of learning without ego or barriers. His testimony of faith growth led to speaking at President Worthen's fireside, demonstrating how immersing yourself in different cultures and beliefs can strengthen your own spiritual foundation.

Rather than pursuing the NFL, Kody chose to "bet on himself" by retiring from football to launch Sonny Golf Club, his entrepreneurial venture creating magnetic golf ball markers with his business partners. Through stories of overcoming injuries, building bridges across racial and religious diversity, and finding mentorship from professors like Lee Daniels, Kody shares how stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing diversity of thought can solve world problems. His message is clear: find true joy and happiness by pursuing your dreams the right way, surrounded by people who believe in your vision, because "birds of a feather flock together."

Check out Sonny Golf Club: https://www.instagram.com/sonnygolfclub?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Video Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

0:47 - Meet Kody Epps

1:15 - Northern California Roots and Mater Dei High School

2:33 - Elite Competition and High Standards

3:29 - Learning Among Future NFL Stars

4:18 - The Infant Perspective

5:51 - Football Focus at Mater Dei

6:55 - High School Championships and Success

7:31 - College Recruitment Process

7:49 - Spiritual Calling to BYU

9:31 - Lee Daniels as Favorite Professor

11:20 - Sonny Golf Club Business Venture

13:43 - Learning Business from Life Examples

14:02 - BYU Football Career Highlights

15:41 - Bone Injury Crisis

18:15 - Over a Year Recovery Process

18:47 - Support System During Adversity

20:04 - Gratitude to LDS Church as Non-Member

21:23 - Religion Classes at BYU

23:02 - Speaking at President Worthen's Fireside

24:41 - Faith Journey Through Different Schools

25:33 - Current Passions and Golf Obsession

28:01 - Connection with Coach Sitake

28:12 - BYU's Discipline and Honor Code

29:17 - Decision to Retire from Football

30:42 - Purpose Beyond Football

32:22 - Sonny Golf Club Partnership

33:14 - Advice for Diverse Athletes at BYU

35:48 - Diversity and Team Unity

38:07 - Diversity of Thought Philosophy

39:31 - Final Message