In this episode of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with Tiffany Deering to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing young athletes and their families today: the recruiting process.

Tiffany shares her journey from playing competitive softball in Southern California to becoming a national champion at the University of Michigan, and how that experience shaped the way she now helps families navigate recruiting. She explains how the process has changed over the years, why today's athletes often feel overwhelmed, and how APS Recruits was built to help simplify the chaos.

Shane and Tiffany also dive into the real pain points families face, including coach communication, social media pressure, highlight videos, camp planning, and the stress of trying to stay organized while still enjoying the sport. They discuss how APS Recruits helps athletes streamline outreach, track engagement, and stay proactive in building relationships with college programs. Tiffany also shares that families can learn more at apsrecruits.com.

This conversation is a valuable listen for softball players, parents, coaches, and anyone trying to better understand what it takes to navigate recruiting in today's sports world. One of the biggest messages from Tiffany is simple: start early, stay consistent, and don't let the process steal the joy of the game.

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to follow The Gametime Guru on your favorite podcast platform and share this with a softball family who could benefit from it.

What makes soccer more than just a sport?

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I have the chance to chat with Franklin Foer, author of How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization, to explore how soccer reflects culture, identity, politics, religion, class, and globalization across the world. From the tribal nature of fandom to the deeper meaning behind clubs like Barcelona and Newcastle United, this conversation shows why soccer can reveal so much about the societies that surround it.

Franklin shares how his travels and research shaped the book, why soccer became the perfect lens for understanding the modern world, and how the game has evolved over the past two decades. Shane and Franklin also discuss why soccer fandom feels so different in other countries compared to the United States, how the sport is growing in America ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and what readers can learn from looking at sports through a wider cultural lens.

This episode covers:

• Why soccer helps explain globalization
• The connection between sports, identity, and tribalism
• The difference between American sports culture and global soccer culture
• When fandom creates community and when it can turn dark
• Why clubs can represent far more than just a game
• How soccer is growing in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup

If you are a fan of soccer, sports history, world culture, or the deeper meaning behind why people care so passionately about sports, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

Get Franklin Foer's book here:

https://www.amazon.com/How-Soccer-Explains-World-Globalization-ebook

Will Dunkle is back on The Gametime Guru.

Six years after his first appearance on the show, Will returns to talk about how his fighting journey has evolved from MMA into the world of bare knuckle boxing.

In this episode, Will shares what makes bare knuckle such a unique and dangerous combat sport, how he prepares mentally and physically for each fight, and what fans can expect as he gets ready for his Fusion Fight League matchup in Great Falls, Montana.

We talk about the mindset it takes to compete in a sport where every mistake matters, why Will embraces fighting in hostile territory, and how he uses losses as lessons that build character. He also breaks down his southpaw style, his trap-setting approach inside the ring, and the faith-driven mindset that keeps him grounded through the highs and lows of combat sports.

Will also discusses his upcoming bare knuckle fight against Dallas Davis on April 11, 2026, why this matchup matters, and how a win could elevate his position in the bare knuckle scene.

In this episode, we cover:
• Will Dunkle's transition from MMA to bare knuckle boxing
• What makes bare knuckle different from other combat sports
• Fight mindset, preparation, and mental toughness
• Competing in enemy territory
• Learning from losses in combat sports
• Faith, discipline, and staying ready
• His upcoming Fusion Fight League fight

If you enjoy combat sports, underdog stories, and conversations with athletes who are still in the arena putting it all on the line, this episode is for you.

Follow Will Dunkle: 208 Underdog on ALL Platforms
Fusion Fight League: https://www.instagram.com/fusionfightleague/

This episode is brought to you by Fascia Sticks. Athletes, lifters, and anyone dealing with tightness can benefit from Fascia Sticks to improve mobility and recover smarter.

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