Ryan and Ruban lace up for the ultimate deep dive into Rocky II’s legendary training montage: raw eggs flying, chicken chasing, Mickey screaming “Speed, speed!”, kids mobbing the streets of Philly, and that glorious moment when the music swells and our broke, battered champ finally becomes the beast who can go the distance. From dawn sprints to sunset triumph, this is pure 1979 goosebump fuel. Grab your sweats, crack five eggs in a glass, and let’s get motivated, champ – because the montage hits harder than Apollo’s right hand!

Ryan and Ruban dive deep into the gut-punch moments of Rocky II: Adrian flatlines, Rocky prays at the hospital chapel, Mickey’s loyalty gets tested, and Paulie spirals harder than ever. From “I just wanna go the distance” to “Win… win!” this is the episode that breaks you before it builds you back up. Tears, raw eggs, and pure Philly heart – come cry with us, champ, because nothing hits harder than love in a coma.

Ryan and Ruban break down the legendary press conference where Paulie gets accused of being Al Capone, Rocky’s grocery list becomes a national tragedy, and Mickey roasts our hero so hard he feels like a Kentucky Fried Idiot. Apollo’s pure business, the chat’s popping off, and the boys are getting trained in real time by the best listeners in Philly. Grab your raw eggs, mute your domestic drama, and come get motivated, champ – distance awaits!

Ryan, Ruban, and Super Fan Kyle go ringside as the Balboa household cracks under money woes, Rocky’s stubborn pride, and one very damaged eye. Adrian’s fed up, Apollo launches an old-school smear campaign (no social media required), and somehow Kyle ends up slapping himself in pure passion. From street fights to bedroom fights, this is Rocky at his absolute lowest – grab your turtle food and brace for the drama, champ!

Yo Adrian, we did it again – this time with mega-fan Kyle crashing the mic! Rocky’s broke as hell, selling his beloved car to a frighteningly skinny Paulie while Adrian eyes a gig at the pet shop just to keep the lights on. Times are brutal in Philly, but the heart of a champion still beats. We also dive into that glorious Carl Weathers + Stallone Golden Globes moment and laugh at the ridiculous controversy that followed. Grab your raw eggs, hit play, and let’s go the distance with the Italian Stallion!

Ruban and Ryan, joined by Ryan’s wife Becky, dive into Rocky II, exploring Rocky Balboa’s struggle to transition from fame to everyday life after his failed commercial ventures. The discussion captures Rocky’s humbling job search, from his earnest but monotone reading practice with Adrian to his ill-fated office job interviews and eventual work at Shamrock Meats, secured through Paulie’s connections. They reflect on Rocky’s relatable desperation to provide for his pregnant wife and their new home, highlighted by poignant scenes like his heart-to-heart with his dog Butkus and the cathartic meat factory montages. With humor, personal anecdotes, and fan engagement, including a shoutout from listener Alex about a favorite Rocky scene, this episode celebrates Stallone’s nuanced writing and the emotional depth of Rocky’s journey, while also touching on the hosts’ own experiences with job struggles and fandom.

Ryan and Ruban dive into Rocky II with a mix of humor and nostalgia, dissecting the iconic Beast After Shave commercial scene where Rocky fumbles through cue cards and faces a condescending director, while weaving in tangents about Sylvester Stallone’s career, the 2016 U.S. election shock with Trump’s victory, and a humorous obsession with bear rugs inspired by Burt Reynolds’ infamous photoshoot. The hosts reflect on personal anecdotes, from Ryan’s military grandfather to awkward workplace moments, and celebrate their superfan Mat, blending Rocky analysis with pop culture commentary, political musings, and a nod to freedoms that allow such candid discussions, all while battling technical glitches and embracing the raw, unpolished charm of their podcast.

In this knockout follow-up episode, superfan Mat returns to join hosts Ryan and Ruban for another round of Rocky II dissection, diving deeper into Sylvester Stallone’s iconic underdog saga while exploring the champ’s questionable spending habits, from flashy purchases to the financial strain of his post-fight life, alongside a broader celebration of Stallone’s cinematic legacy, including his gritty roles in films like First Blood and Cobra. Mat’s infectious enthusiasm as the show’s biggest fan fuels a lively discussion that blends humor, nostalgia, and sharp analysis, making this episode a heartfelt tribute to Rocky II’s enduring charm and Stallone’s larger-than-life persona.