Tom Cillo | 59-Year-Old College Football Player Shares His Incredible Story | The Gametime Guru Podcast episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 13, 2026 · 36 MIN

Tom Cillo | 59-Year-Old College Football Player Shares His Incredible Story | The Gametime Guru Podcast

from The Gametime Guru · host Shane Larson

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson interviews Tom Cillo, a 59-year-old college football player, about resilience, mental toughness, leadership, and chasing dreams later in life. Tom Cillo's story has inspired people around the world. After retiring from a 33-year career, Tom decided to pursue a dream he originally had back in the 1980s: playing college football. Now in his late 50s, he's balancing the physical demands of collegiate athletics, the academic pressure of returning to school after 41 years away from the classroom, and the mental challenge of competing with athletes decades younger than him. In this powerful sports interview, Tom shares how he prepared physically and mentally for college football in his late 50s, what he learned from the intense grind of training camp, and how he pushed through self-doubt, injuries, and the pressures that come with competing at the collegiate level. Tom also talks about earning Dean's List honors, finding his role on the team, and discovering that his journey has inspired thousands of people around the world to pursue their own goals — no matter their age. This episode explores the lessons sports teach us about discipline, leadership, perseverance, athlete mindset, and never giving up on a dream. If you enjoy sports podcasts, athlete interviews, football stories, motivational conversations, and leadership lessons from sports, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Sponsored by Aesthreadics Weight Lifting Belts Today's episode is brought to you by Aesthreadics Weight Lifting Belts. If you're looking for a customized weightlifting belt, Aesthreadics offers high-quality belts that can be designed specifically for your personal brand, sports team, gym, or business. These belts are perfect for: • Athletes building their brand • NIL athletes and college programs • Teams outfitting their weight rooms • Businesses creating custom gear Get your own customized belt today: www.aesthreadics.com  About The Gametime Guru Podcast The Gametime Guru Podcast, hosted by Shane Larson, interviews athletes, coaches, and sports figures from around the world to explore the lessons learned through competition. Each episode dives into sports leadership, athlete mindset, resilience, and the life lessons that come from competing at the highest levels. Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly interviews with inspiring athletes and sports professionals.

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Tom Cillo | 59-Year-Old College Football Player Shares His Incredible Story | The Gametime Guru Podcast

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