🎙️ RU STRONG PODCAST – EPISODE INTRO
Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast.
Today’s episode is special because I’m joined by another Rutgers Scarlet Knight who truly embodies what it means to be RU Strong.
My guest is John Poznanski, a standout wrestler from Colonia, New Jersey, whose journey is defined by discipline, resilience, and an unshakable mindset.
John put together one of the most impressive wrestling careers you’ll hear about:
• 164 high school wins
• 2020 New Jersey State Champion
• 40–0 senior season
• Three-time NCAA Qualifier
• Two-time Big Ten placer & Big Ten bronze medalist
• Freshman All-American at Rutgers
• Two-time Academic All-American
• Multiple-time Academic All–Big Ten honoree
But here’s what makes this episode powerful, John’s story goes far beyond wins and medals.
He competed at the highest level of college wrestling with vision in only one eye, after being born with Coats disease and losing his left eye at a young age. Instead of letting that define his limits, John turned it into a source of strength adapting, grinding, and proving what’s possible when mindset beats circumstance.
In this conversation, we talk about:
• Competing in the Big Ten, the toughest wrestling conference in the country
• The discipline behind weight cuts, training, and elite performance
• Balancing academics and athletics at Rutgers
• Identity after sports and navigating life once the final whistle blows
• What wrestling taught him about persistence, organization, and leadership
• Why athletes live two lives and how to win the second one
• And how John is now using his voice through his own podcast, Destination Talk, to inspire others on their journey
This episode is a must-listen for:
• College athletes
• Wrestlers and combat-sport competitors
• Parents and coaches
• Anyone navigating transition, adversity, or identity after sports
So, buckle up because this is a story about grit, purpose, and becoming more than the sport you play.
🎧 Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast with John Poznanski.