Zack Ryder on Life as a Redshirt and Big Plans for Next Season |N&D 74|

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

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys sit down with Josh Barr, one of Penn State Wrestling’s rising stars. From stepping into a powerhouse program to navigating the ever-changing world of college athletics, Josh gives us a deep dive into his journey so far. The conversation kicks off with Josh sharing what it’s been like starting for Penn State and adjusting to one of the most competitive rooms in the country. He opens up about his mentality when it comes to competition, how he first got into wrestling, and the recruiting process that led him to PSU. The topic of NIL in college wrestling takes center stage as Josh discusses its impact on athletes and how it’s changing the sport. He also reflects on his redshirt year, the challenges of making the jump to 197 lbs, and how he’s been handling the transition. The episode wraps up with Josh talking about his faith, the role it plays in his life, and the real question—why does everyone have goatees on the team? Don’t miss this episode full of insights, laughs, and wrestling talk! Like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on all things Nickals and Dimes! 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, we’re joined by the one and only Ariel Helwani—one of the most respected and influential voices in MMA media. Ariel has been covering combat sports for over a decade, winning multiple MMA Journalist of the Year awards and shaping the way fans experience the fight game. From hosting The Ariel Helwani Show to breaking some of the biggest stories in MMA history, he has built a reputation as one of the most insightful journalists in the industry. The conversation kicks off with how Ariel began his journalism journey at the University of Syracuse. From there, we dive into the world of MMA journalism, discussing how the field has changed and the challenges of covering such a dynamic sport. Ariel also breaks down the impact of the Netflix era in combat sports, giving his take on how streaming platforms could change the way fights are promoted and consumed. He shares his big break moment, the moment that took his career to the next level, and how he manages to stay up to date with everything happening in sports. The conversation shifts to Ariel discussing his relationship with Dana White, his favorite and craziest interviews, and what it’s really like dealing with fighters in and out of the cage. He also shares his thoughts on how MMA can become more mainstream, the dream interviews he’d still love to do, and the unique relationship between the sport and its fans. Go check out Ariel's channel https://www.youtube.com/@UCVOdVp54jLrFhRUm4S29HeA https://sports.yahoo.com/combat/ 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 - Ariel Intro 00:07:48 - The Idea of a Multiperson Interview Show 00:11:13 - MMA Journalism 00:14:29 - Netflix Era in Combat Sports 00:20:37 - Big Break Moment for Ariel 00:27:21 - How Does Ariel Stay Up to Date with Sports 00:32:35 - Ariel’s Relationship with Dana White 00:51:02 - Ariel’s Favorite and Craziest Interviews 01:04:47 - Dealing with Fighters 01:09:36 - How can MMA be more main stream 01:20:58 - Who are some people Ariel dreams to interview? 01:31:26 - Relationships between the sport of MMA and the Fans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, we’re joined by one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time—Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson. A former UFC Flyweight Champion, DJ set the record for 11 consecutive title defenses, solidifying his place as one of the most well-rounded and dominant fighters in history. He’s continued to make waves outside the cage, winning IBJJF Worlds at the Master Brown Belt level and building a massive audience as a YouTuber and content creator. The conversation kicks off with DJ sharing his experiences training with Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, giving insight into what makes their team so dominant. He then takes us inside his time training in Thailand, and his training with Shogun Rua. The discussion shifts to the growth of Jiu Jitsu and what it takes to make the sport more accessible to a wider audience. DJ reflects on how he got his start in MMA, what led him to the UFC, and how his career unfolded. He also opens up about life after fighting and his transition into being a YouTuber, where he’s found success sharing fight breakdowns and training insights. Later in the episode, DJ reacts to Bo’s last fight, gives his thoughts on Alexandre Pantoja’s callout, and shares his perspective on how fighting as a sport can continue to evolve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys sit down with Greg Kerkvliet, one of Penn State Wrestling’s standout heavyweights and NCAA Champ. From his performance on the mat to his thoughts on MMA and beyond, Greg gives us a full update on his season and what’s been happening in his world. The conversation kicks off with a fun debate about what makes a good bench press, followed by a deep dive into Greg’s current season and how things are shaping up so far. Greg also shares insights into his diet and gives an inside look at his experience competing at the CJI. Things get a bit lighter as Greg and the crew discuss topics like WWE, vegans, and even the ridiculous hypothetical: Greg vs. a chimp—who wins? Later, Bo shares the story of meeting comedian Shane Gillis last weekend and how his latest show was. To wrap up, the boys break down UFC 311, discuss the UFC’s hottest matchups, and talk about the potential trend of PSU wrestlers transitioning to MMA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys kick things off with Bo’s wild story about partying with Mark Zuckerberg, sharing some behind-the-scenes moments. They debate what makes the best cookies in the world before diving into the latest MMA news and big headlines in the sport. The discussion then shifts to updates in real estate and the world of social media, with the crew breaking down trends and what’s happening right now. To wrap things up, Bo shares his hilarious take on what a MrBeast video would look like if he made one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Nickals and Dimes, the boys dive into a mix of fitness, current events, and sports predictions. They kick things off with a conversation about bulking vs. cutting, breaking down their personal approaches to fitness and how to find the right balance. Next, the team reflects on what advice they would give to their younger selves, sharing some heartfelt and funny stories along the way. The discussion then shifts to the wildfires in LA and how they’re affecting the community. From there, the boys tackle the big question: Is TikTok being banned? They break down the rumors, what’s at stake, and how this could impact social media as a whole. Things lighten up with a fun segment on TV and movies, where they share what they’re currently watching and what’s worth checking out. The episode wraps up with their UFC 311 predictions, analyzing the fighters and calling out potential winners. Finally, they discuss PSU’s loss to Notre Dame, sharing their thoughts on what went wrong and what it means for the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices