Parker Keckeisen has reached a level in wrestling that very few ever experience — but the journey behind the success tells an even bigger story.

Episode 64 of Destination Talk drops Sunday, September 13 at 9 AM.

In this episode, Parker joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about becoming an NCAA champion, the sacrifices behind reaching the highest levels of the sport, handling pressure and expectations, and figuring out who you are when so much of your identity has been built around competition.

We also get into his experiences sharing the mat with some of the biggest names in wrestling — including Aaron Brooks, Carter Starocci and Kyle Dake — and what competing against athletes of that caliber taught him about greatness and about himself.

And yes, we may have revisited a couple of old matches with his former opponent — and our co-host — John Poznanski. We’ll let the two of them decide how they remember those.

Parker takes us inside his Real American Freestyle journey, the opportunities RAF is creating for wrestlers after college, and where he believes the sport could be headed.

But some of the most interesting moments have very little to do with wins and losses.

What does success give you — and what doesn’t it give you?

What happens when the goal you’ve spent years chasing becomes reality?

Who are you when the sport eventually goes away?

And after everything Parker has experienced, what would he tell the younger version of himself about the road ahead?

Episode 64 with Parker Keckeisen drops Sunday, September 13 at 9 AM.

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeartRadio.

Destination Talk — Where ordinary people have the opportunity to tell extraordinary stories. Because every journey has value, every lesson deserves to be shared, and every voice deserves to be heard.

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