Joey Ortega’s story is still being written.

The Clark, NJ native and ALJ graduate joins Destination Talk to talk about his path from New Jersey high school wrestling to competing at Kutztown University and earning a trip to the NCAA Division II Championships.

Joey takes us inside the jump from high school to college wrestling—the moments that exposed where he needed to get better, the work people don't see, and what he learned when he finally stepped onto the national stage.

We also get Joey’s perspective on some bigger questions facing wrestling today: How important has club wrestling become? Do young wrestlers now need a club to compete at a high level? And as someone who came through a public school at ALJ, how does he view the ongoing public-versus-private debate in New Jersey wrestling?

But the most interesting part of Joey’s story may be what hasn't happened yet.

How good can he become? What is he willing to sacrifice to find out? And when wrestling eventually ends, who is Joey Ortega without the sport?

This is a conversation with a young athlete who has already gotten a glimpse of the NCAA stage—and now has to decide how far he wants to take it.

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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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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NCAA qualifier. Ohio state champion. Division I wrestler at the University of Virginia.

But ask Marlon Yarbrough who he is when wrestling is gone — and the conversation changes.

Marlon joins Destination Talk for Episode 63, and we get into the parts of the journey that don’t show up next to your record.

The jump from being one of the best wrestlers in high school to walking into a Division I room where everybody was “the guy.”

Beating All-American Aaron Nagao 13–5 on the NCAA stage.

Then having the sport taken away by injury.

And eventually having to answer a question every athlete will face:

Who are you when they stop introducing you as a wrestler?

We had some fun too. Mount Rushmore. The state of college wrestling. NIL. The transfer portal. And a few opinions that might get wrestling fans arguing in the comments.

Marlon Yarbrough. Episode 63.

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Built Beyond the Mat.

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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Wrestling will test you. Adversity will shape you. What you do with those lessons afterward is what matters.

This week we sit down with Horacio Vialpando, former Division I wrestler at the University of Northern Colorado, for a conversation about the grind of college wrestling, the challenges that shaped him, and how those experiences helped turn him into the coach he is today.

We also get into something Horacio is passionate about — the growth of girls wrestling. The opportunities being created, where the sport is headed, and why this is only the beginning.

Wrestling. Coaching. Resilience. Purpose.

Built Through Adversity.

Destination Talk Episode 62

Sunday, August 23

9 AM

Don’t miss this one.

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.

#DestinationTalk #Episode62 #HoracioVialpando #Wrestling #GirlsWrestling #WomensWrestling #CollegeWrestling #BuiltThroughAdversity

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What does it take to lead young athletes in a world filled with distractions, social media, and constant pressure?

In Episode 60 of Destination Talk, we sit down with Patrick Gorbatuk, Head Wrestling Coach at Manville High School (NJ), for a conversation that goes far beyond wins and losses.

Coach Gorbatuk shares his philosophy on building strong athletes, developing resilient young people, and creating a culture that prepares wrestlers not just for competition—but for life. We discuss the challenges facing today's high school athletes, the impact of social media on confidence and identity, and how coaches can help young people navigate both the opportunities and pitfalls of the digital world.

The conversation also explores what college-bound wrestlers need to know before making the jump to the next level, why so many successful high school athletes struggle with the transition to college, and how humility, discipline, and consistency become even more important when everyone in the room was once "the best."

We also dive into the current state of New Jersey wrestling, the future of high school athletics, the growing influence of NIL, recruiting, and what Coach Gorbatuk believes the sport must do to continue moving forward.

Whether you're a wrestler, coach, parent, or simply someone who believes in the power of sports to shape character, this episode offers valuable lessons that extend well beyond the wrestling mat.

In this episode:

• Coaching today's athletes in the age of social media

• Building confidence without comparison

• Preparing wrestlers for college success

• Why humility matters after high school

• The realities of NIL and recruiting

• The state of New Jersey wrestling

• Developing character through competition

• Lessons that last long after the final whistle

Listen on:

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• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

• Amazon Music

• iHeartRadio

• Pandora

• Audible

If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful stories and conversations to athletes, coaches, and communities everywhere.

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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What happens when you've achieved the dream that so many athletes spend their entire lives chasing... and you decide to walk away?

In this episode of Destination Talk, we're joined by former Louisville volleyball standout and current University of Kentucky assistant coach Amaya Tillman. While her accomplishments on the court speak for themselves, this conversation goes far beyond volleyball.

Amaya opens up about the sacrifices required to become a Division I athlete, the pressure of having your identity tied to your sport, and the difficult decision to turn down opportunities to play professionally in order to pursue a greater purpose through coaching.

This is a conversation about identity, leadership, resilience, and discovering who you are when the jersey comes off.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone navigating life's next chapter, Amaya's perspective is one that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why volleyball became her life's passion
• The unseen sacrifices behind Division I athletics
• Mental challenges and overcoming self-doubt
• Separating identity from athletic performance
• The decision to walk away from professional volleyball
• Finding purpose through coaching and mentorship
• Advice for young athletes chasing big dreams
• What success means beyond wins and championships

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If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Comment, Subscribe, and Share. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful stories and authentic conversations to athletes, coaches, and everyday people whose journeys deserve to be heard.

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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There are moments in every athlete's journey when the results don't match the effort. Those are the moments that define who you become.

In Episode 59 of Destination Talk, we sit down with Zac Belverio, a graduate of Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, New Jersey, and current wrestler at the University at Buffalo, to unpack the journey that rarely gets talked about. From being a .500 freshman to earning the opportunity to compete at the Division I level, Zac shares the lessons learned through setbacks, self-doubt, sacrifice, and the quiet work that happens long before anyone notices.

This isn't a conversation about a perfect path. It's about learning to believe in yourself before the results give you permission to.

Throughout the episode, Zac opens up about:

• The turning point that changed the trajectory of his wrestling career
• The sacrifices required to chase a Division I dream
• What pressure really feels like during a state tournament run
• The reality of arriving at Buffalo and starting over against the nation's best
• The mental battles every athlete faces but few are willing to discuss
• Why confidence is built long before success is visible

Whether you're a wrestler, coach, parent, or someone chasing a goal that feels just out of reach, Zac's story is a reminder that growth isn't always obvious—but it's always happening.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear this message.

Destination Talk is 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.

Where the forgotten and overlooked have a voice.

#DestinationTalk #ZacBelverio #UniversityAtBuffalo #BuffaloWrestling #CollegeWrestling #NCAAWrestling #ALJWrestling #StudentAthlete #SportsPodcast #WrestlingPodcast #Mindset #Leadership #Discipline #NewJerseyWrestling

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What does wrestling leave with you long after your competitive career is over?

In Episode 58 of Destination Talk, we sit down with Steve Mytych to explore a journey built through hard work, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to the sport of wrestling. From becoming a 100-plus match winner at Drexel University to coaching at the Division I level, Steve shares the experiences that shaped him—not only as a wrestler, but as a coach, mentor, and leader.

Together, we discuss the lessons competition teaches, the mental side of wrestling, the transition from athlete to coach, and how leadership evolves over time. Steve also shares his perspective on the changing landscape of college athletics, including NIL, recruiting, and what today's athletes and families should understand as they navigate opportunities that didn't exist a generation ago.

Whether you're an athlete chasing your next goal, a coach developing young people, or a parent supporting your child's journey, this conversation is filled with perspective, honesty, and lessons that extend far beyond the wrestling mat.

In this episode:

• Steve's introduction to wrestling and the people who influenced his journey
• His career at Drexel University and earning more than 100 collegiate victories
• The mental challenges of competing at the Division I level
• The transition from athlete to coach and the lessons learned along the way
• Leadership, mentorship, and developing student-athletes
• Coaching at Rutgers and the realities of Division I wrestling
• NIL, recruiting, and the future of college athletics
• Advice for young athletes and the parents supporting them

If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. Every subscription, comment, and share helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to more people.

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Follow Destination Talk for conversations with athletes, coaches, leaders, and everyday people whose experiences can educate, inspire, and challenge the way we think.

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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