How Mitchell Mesenbrink Built a Championship Mentality |N&D 78|

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, Bo and Tony sit down with 3x NCAA Champion and wrestling legend Zain Retherford to dive into his next chapter — from competing at the highest level to stepping into coaching, business, and fatherhood. Zain talks about why he’s never used creatine, his thoughts on NLWC teammates at Final X, and whether or not he’s truly retired. He also opens up about joining the new CLAW Wrestling League and what excites him about the future of the sport. Bo and Zain explore life off the mat too — including launching a business, raising children, and reflecting on his dominant college career at Penn State. Plus, Bo shares his favorite podcast episode ever… and they even unpack the infamous cookie story. Go to http://tastemade.com/nickals to try Tastemade+ free for 7 days right now MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00 Zain Intro 00:29 Zain's Never used Creatine 03:41 Zain on the NLWC guys in Final X 05:53 Did Zain Retire and going to the Olympics 12:50 Zain joining the CLAW Wrestling League 16:48 Moving into a Coaching Role 20:42 Entrepreneurship and Zain's New Business 33:51 This episode is sponsored by Tastemade 35:04 Bo's Favorite Podcast 38:54 Zain's Upbringing 43:28 Being a Dad 50:33 Zain's College Career 57:28 The Cookie Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, Bo and Tony sit down with one of college wrestling’s rising stars — Levi Haines. Levi opens up about his deep love for hunting, telling stories from his first hunt to some close encounters in the wild. The conversation shifts from the outdoors to the mat as Bo and Levi talk through his goals, his mindset heading into Final X, and why he didn’t use his redshirt year at Penn State. He shares his perspective on the Penn State wrestling culture, how it’s shaped him as an athlete, and what separates each team he’s been on. Go to http://tastemade.com/nickals to try Tastemade+ free for 7 days right now MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00 – Levi Haines Intro 00:26 – Levi’s Love for Hunting 08:31 – Any Close Calls While Hunting? 12:23 – Levi’s First Hunt 18:17 – What’s a Better Feeling? 22:17 – This Episode is Sponsored by Tastemade+ 23:32 – Levi’s Thoughts on Final X 33:43 – Levi’s Wrestling Goals 40:41 – What It’s Like Being on Different Penn State Teams 47:22 – Not Using a Redshirt Year 52:37 – Why Levi Chose Penn State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, Bo sits down with NCAA National Champion and Penn State standout Mitchell Mesenbrink for a raw and insightful conversation. Mitchell talks about his training habits, the wrestling partners who shaped him, and the moment he almost walked away from the sport. He opens up about the unique dynamic of having his dad as his coach, the decision to transfer to Penn State, and the mindset that fuels him now. The conversation also dives into psychology, stress management, humility, and how Mitchell views his role on one of the most competitive teams in the country. Plus, he breaks down his NCAA finals match from his freshmen year, his thoughts ahead of FinalX, and how the wrestling and MMA communities differ at the core. Go to http://tastemade.com/nickals to try Tastemade+ free for 7 days right now. Go to https://huel.com/nickals and use code nickals to get 15% off your first order plus a Free Gift (Minimum $75 Purchase). MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00 – Mitchell Mesenbrink Intro 00:25 – Mitchell’s Practice Tendencies 07:55 – When Mitchell Wanted to Quit 13:08 – His Relationship with His Dad/Coach 17:20 – Choosing Penn State 29:43 – Where His Unique Style Came From 35:49 – Sponsored by Huel 36:54 – Psychology and Types of Intelligence 38:29 – How He Manages Stress 42:03 – Mitchell’s First Year in College Wrestling 44:23 – Sponsored by TasteMade 45:27 – Breaking Down the NCAA Finals Match 54:32 – FinalX Is Coming 55:50 – Humility vs. Gratitude 1:03:45 – What Drives His Motivation 1:08:36 – His Role on the Team 1:10:56 – When Wrestling Started to Feel Easy 1:12:28 – Wrestling vs. MMA Communities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, Bo reflects on his most recent fight, giving fans an inside look at how his camp went, the highs and lows of fight week, and what was really going through his mind before and after stepping into the Octagon. He opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of being the most talked-about fighter in the world for 24 hours, the truth behind the weight cut rumors, and what his game plan looks like for the rest of the year—both inside and outside of the cage. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code BO to sign up - new customers can score $200 in bonus bets when you bet just $5. MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00 How Bo's Camp and Fight Week Went 08:02 You don't have the highs without the lows 11:42 thoughts on the actual fight 30:12 De Ridder as an Opponent 31:49 Download DraftKings Sportsbook and use code BO 33:30 Bo's game plan for the rest of the year 42:06 Bo being the most talked about fighter for a day 48:47 Other things Bo has planned for rest of the year 52:01 Was the weight cut real?? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, Bo and Tony sit down with Brendan Burns — a world-class hunter, gear innovator, and one of the key figures behind Kuiu. Brendan kicks things off by sharing stories from his college days and how he first got involved with Kuiu, eventually helping design some of the brand’s very first products. From there, the guys dive into wild stories about the challenges and lessons learned out in the wilderness. They also break down some of Brendan’s most nerve-wracking hunts, his best hunting trip ever, and what it’s like to chase a bear on the very last day of a hunt. Brendan shares deep insight into the mindset needed to succeed as a hunter, his future goals in the outdoors, and how the hunting culture has evolved in recent years. Go to https://huel.com/nickals and use code nickals to get 15% off your first order plus a Free Gift. MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00:00 Brendan Burns Intro 00:00:21 Brendan's College Days 00:03:28 How Brendan got involved with Kuiu 00:11:26 How Brendan Designed the First Products 00:15:34 Bo's Hunting Trip in Alaska 00:25:29 What hunt was Brendan the most nervous about? 00:28:40 Brendan's Best Hunting Trip 00:30:16 This Episode is Sponsored by Huel 00:31:20 Getting a Bear on the last day 00:37:29 The Mindset of a Hunter 00:41:35 What else does Brendan want to accomplish in hunting? 00:45:26 Brendan's Trip to Argentina 00:50:04 What was Brendan's first hunt like? 00:54:10 How has hunting culture changed recently? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, Bo sits down with the Mirasola Twins for a fast-paced, fun, and brutally honest conversation about life on and off the mat. The twins kick things off by talking about school, what they’ve been up to, and their upcoming competition weekend in Las Vegas. From there, the conversation jumps into what college wrestling has really been like, how they’re adjusting to the grind, and the transition from dominating in high school to battling in the NCAA. They dive into the origins of their wrestling journey, growing up training together, and what it’s like having a built-in training partner 24/7. Of course, Bo digs into the twin dynamic—how to tell them apart, what they actually argue about, and which one’s winning more takedowns right now. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/bo to get 10% off your first month. MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00:00 Mirasola Twins Intro 00:00:23 Mirasola Twins ON School and What they're Up to 00:02:49 Competing in Vegas this Weekend 00:10:13 What has College Wrestling been like? 00:21:37 High School for the Twin 00:26:21 Starting Wrestling 00:30:41 This Show is Sponsored by BetterHelp 00:31:42 Transition from High School to College Wrestling 00:55:30 What do the twins disagree on? 01:04:37 Telling the twins apart 01:09:10 The Hard Hitting Questions 01:12:59 Reacting to Zack Ryder's Transfer 01:17:16 Which Twin has more Takedowns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickal’s and Dimes, the gang sits down with Zack Ryder for a conversation packed with laughs, insight, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the top programs in the country. Zack kicks things off by talking about the intense workouts with the Penn State wrestling team and even admits he was a little nervous to jump on the podcast. From there, the guys dive into Zack’s recruiting class and his journey through the sport. We also hear about Zack’s early days—coming to Penn State camps as a kid, how he got into wrestling, and how his dad helped start a wrestling club that played a big role in his development. Zack shares why he chose Penn State, what tournaments are next, and how he’s preparing for the upcoming season. The crew also talks about the mental side of being a redshirt athlete, the challenges that come with it, and Zack’s long-term goals moving forward. *This episode was recorded before Zack entering the transfer portal. We wish him nothing but the best with his decision.* Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app now and use code BO - new customers can get $150 in bonus bets when you bet just $5. Go to http://huel.com/nickals and use code NICKALS to get 15% off your first order and a free gift. MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00:00 Zack Intro 00:00:30 Workouts for the Wrestling Team 00:07:43 Zack Being Nervous For Pod 00:18:38 Zack's Recruiting Class 00:27:24 Bo and Tony as Roommates 00:32:32 Download DraftKings Sports book 00:33:55 Zack coming to Penn State for camps as a kid 00:41:03 How Zack Started Wrestling 00:43:34 This episode is sponsored by Huel 00:44:42 Zack's Dad starting a wrestling club 00:47:56 Zack's Choice on going to Penn State 00:54:26 Zack's Next Tournament 01:06:37 Zack's Plan Heading into next season 01:13:35 Zack's Plans for next year 01:17:48 Being a Redshirt is HARD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/bo to get 10% off your first month. Welcome back to Nickals and Dimes! In this episode, the boys sit down with content creator and former college wrestler Cayden Henschel. With over 500,000 YouTube subscribers, Cayden has become one of the biggest voices in wrestling media, using his platform to help grow the sport and bring a fresh perspective to the wrestling world. The conversation kicks off with Cayden reflecting on his last college wrestling match and what it meant to close that chapter. He shares how he first got started in wrestling, and later, how he made the transition into content creation. From filming his early videos to growing his channel into one of the most popular in the wrestling space, Cayden walks through his creative journey. We also talk about who Cayden looks up to, what it really takes to be a creator in today’s digital world, and how he’s planning the next steps in his career. He shares valuable advice for people just getting started with content and gives his thoughts on how wrestling can continue to grow through social media and storytelling. This episode is full of insight for wrestlers, creators, and fans alike. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more from Nickals and Dimes! MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00:00 Cayden Intro 00:00:25 Cayden's Last College Wrestling Match 00:07:53 How did Cayden Start Wrestling 00:12:34 How Cayden got started making content 00:19:50 Who Cayden Looks up to 00:25:31 What it takes to be a creator 00:34:11 This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp 00:35:37 What is Cayden going to do next? 00:43:24 Advice to people starting content 00:54:33 How does Wrestling grow? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys break down all the chaos, highlights, and storylines from the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. We kick things off with the biggest shock of the tournament—Wyatt Hendrickson beating Gable Steveson in one of the wildest upsets in NCAA history. From there, we dive into Penn State’s domination in the team race and what continues to make their program unstoppable. The conversation takes a turn as we discuss the hot topic of steroids in wrestling and Meyers Shapiro's comments made after his lost to Tyler Kasak. Then it’s time to debate—who deserves the 2025 Hodge Trophy? We also share our favorite matches and standout performances from the tournament, from underdog runs to all-out wars on the mat. Plus, big news hits as Masanosuke Ono signs with Penn State, adding more fuel to the Nittany Lion dynasty. And yes, we talk about Donald Trump making an appearance at the tournament and the buzz it brought to the arena. To wrap it up, the boys chat about Lucas Byrd’s viral moment with his girlfriend and how it became a fan-favorite storyline. MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00 Wyatt Hendrickson beating Gable Steveson 10:08 PSU Dominating the team race 18:16 Steroids in Wrestling 22:19 Who will win the Hodge? 25:34 Favorite Matches and Performances from the tournament 38:14 Ono Signs with Penn State 40:46 Trump at the tournament 46:39 Lucas Byrd and his Girlfriend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys are joined by some of the best minds in wrestling—NCAA Champions David Carr and Michael Macchiavello, along with World Champion Stevan Micic—to dive deep into the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The crew goes weight class by weight class, breaking down the biggest matchups, potential upsets, and key storylines heading into the tournament. With firsthand experience at the highest levels, David, Michael, Bo, Tony, and Stevan bring expert insight into what fans can expect when the best wrestlers in the country hit the mat. Who’s taking home titles? Which weight classes are the toughest? What underdogs have the best shot at making a run? The boys debate it all, making their predictions for each division. Hope you guys enjoy the episode! Drop a comment below if you’re planning on going to the tournament and let us know your picks. NCAA Bracket to follow along: https://www.ncaa.com/_flysystem/public-s3/files/2025%20D1%20Wrestling%20brackets.pdf MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE GO FOLLOW MY SOCIALS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/nobickal1/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nobickal Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoBickal GO FOLLOW TONY'S SOCIALS: Tony: https://www.instagram.com/ant_thechamp_cassar/ DON'T FOLLOW RONAN: https://www.instagram.com/theronanbell/ 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:15 157lb Predictions 00:08:12 165lb Predictions 00:17:48 Heavy Weight Predictions 00:23:15 125lb Predictions 00:31:14 133lb Predictions 00:44:59 141lbs Prediction 01:02:53 149lb Predictions 01:13:15 174lb Predictions 01:32:40 197 Predictions 01:50:07 184lb Predictions 02:11:21 Team Race (aka the race for 2nd place) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices