No Struggle No Story
by Patrick Cacciatore
Athletes face adversity every day. Whether it be serious injuries, the loss of a family member, being taken out of the starting lineup, or an illness that keeps them from competing at their best, all athletes are forced to deal with stressful situations at some point. These events can be looked at in one of two ways: as a negative or as an opportunity to grow into something better than you were before. Many of the most successful athletes around the world use these times of struggle to learn and better themselves. Although this is not an easy task, every person uses different avenues to help pull themselves out of their emotions and continue to focus on improvement in the face of adversity. That is where our new platform, No Struggle No Story, is here to help. I will be speaking with highly successful athletes that have faced serious adversity in their life and finding out how they were able to use this event to learn and become a better athlete/person through it. The interviews will b
Episodes
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Episode 41: Max Wild
In Episode 41, former UCLA Tennis Player and Kalamazoo Champion Max Wild and Pat deeply dive into what matters in life. Genuine conversations surrounding health & wellness, yoga, and the effects of social media on society deliver a special episode that can help anyone listening. Max's unique...
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Episode 40: Anuj Watane
The podcast is BACK! We bring on UNC tennis player, Nike Intern, and NCAA Sweet 16 participant Anuj Watane to talk about his journey through life and the change in perspective he has had on what life is about. After believing tennis defined his self-worth, Anuj had the best season of his career...
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Episode 39: Willie Miklus
Willie Miklus is a 4x All-American wrestler out of Iowa State University and the University of Missouri. In this episode, Willie tells an inspirational story about how to overcome injury, fight through adversity with a positive attitude, and the importance of your support system during tough…
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Episode 38: Andrew Cooper
Mental health has begun to enter the forefront of common topics among elite athletics in recent years. Numerous professional and collegiate athletes such as Naomi Osaka, Demar DeRozan, Kevin Love, Hayden Hurst, and countless others have started prioritizing their mental health and speaking out...
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Episode 37: Paul Hiepler
Episode 37 dives into a powerful conversation with Two-Time March Madness participant and Abilene Christian University basketball player Paul Hiepler. Paul talks about the importance of finding your self-worth in more than your playing time, the impact you can have on your teammates or peers on…
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Episode 36: Sam Phillips
WE ARE BACK! Listen in to Episode 36 with B1G medalist, Former National Team member, and Husker gymnast Sam Phillips. We dig into the power of self-talk, surrounding yourself with the right community and energy to build yourself, and how to build your confidence through more than just your sport....
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Episode 35: Abbey Forbes
Adversity, gratitude, and self-belief. Each of them is so important but how can you grow each of them and face adversity with the attitude and inspiration you need? For Junior Wimbledon champion and U.S. Open Women's Tennis participant Abbey Forbes, it is all about being appreciative for what you...
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Episode 34: Daniel Pearson
Husker Men's golfer and SAAC President Daniel Pearson has taken a long and winding journey with mental health through his college years. Without having much experience with the topic, he wasn't sure what these feelings of sadness, anxiety, and anger about his golf game were. Until now. Pearson…
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Episode 33: Elma N'For
Professional soccer player and member of the Union Omaha USL League One team Elma N'For joins the episode to talk about how important your "why" is and the idea of inspiration over motivation. Elma uses his platform to inspire younger kids and talk about the power of what you surround yourself…
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Episode 32: Liam Draxl
Junior Wimbledon Finalist, ATP career-high #550, and University of Kentucky #1 tennis player joins the podcast for an amazing episode about how to adjust to new environments, ways to maintain your confidence through difficult times, and the importance of your surroundings and who you associate...
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Episode 31: Ty Henry
Former Iowa State baseball player Ty Henry has faced many hardships throughout his life. From the loss of his aunt during his college years to the uncertainty of when his last game would be, he stayed strong through it all. In this episode of NSNS, Ty talks about how important his faith in who he...
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Episode 30: Sydney Wetterstrom
Mental health matters. Former University of Michigan Volleyball OH B1G Sportsmanship Award recipient and current Florida State University Beach Volleyball player Sydney Wetterstrom joins us on this episode to talk about what led her to become a major advocate for mental health, ways to cope with...
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Episode 29: Amanda Nord
Everything is never as it seems. CAA Tournament MVP and JMU Women's Tennis Player Amanda Nord joins the show to share her journey with mental health and the never-ending fight against depression, anxiety, and body image. It rings true that even when a person seems to be okay, it is not always the...
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Episode 28: Kaylei Akana
One brain tumor and two surgeries later yet volleyball was still what was on her mind. Hawaii State and Female Volleyball Player of The Year and Nebraska Volleyball player Kaylei Akana faced this shocking experience in her early high school years but didn't let it derail her dreams. In fact, it…
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Episode 27: Heather Friesen
Former Hawaii Beach Volleyball player and Western Kentucky Indoor Volleyball player Heather Friesen looked death in the face just a few short years ago. After falling down a 50-foot waterfall, she was on the brink of survival and had frail hopes of ever competing in the sport she had built her…
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Episode 26: Zeke Clark
It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the dog. Episode 26 brings on First Team All-B1G and ATP #690 Illini tennis player Zeke Clark to talk about his experiences breaking the expectations put on him due to his physical stature and the ways he has...
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Episode 25: Victoria Flores
Georgia Tech NCAA All-American and Junior Wimbledon participant Vicky Flores speaks on Episode 25 about her dark experiences with depression and anxiety and how they have helped shape her into the person she is today. Through her strong Christian faith, a sense of gratefulness for living out each...
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Episode 24: Tate Wildeman
Coming in ready to receive playing time his true freshman year, University of Nebraska Defensive End Tate Wildeman faced a heartbreaking injury when he tore his ACL one day before the Huskers' game against Colorado. Facing what Tate described as the first serious adversity in his life piled on…
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Episode 23: Lexi Sun
National Gatorade Player of The Year, AVCA All-American, Nebraska Outside Hitter. All of these accolades describe Lexi Sun, but they do not define her. In an incredible episode 23, Lexi joins the podcast to talk about the struggles of dealing with expectations, how she has handled the coronavirus...
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Episode 22: Riley Zuhn
Episode 22 brings on Under Armour All-American and Nebraska Volleyball outside hitter Riley Zuhn to talk about her experiences coming into college as one of the best volleyball players in the country to join a perennial powerhouse program at the University of Nebraska. Through this process, Riley...
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Episode 21: Sadio Fenner
National Steeplechase Champion, Leader of the Minority Student Athlete Collective, and Nebraska Track and Field and Cross Country runner Sadio Fenner joins the show for Episode 21 of our series. Sadio talks about the importance of how he defines his success every day and the experience of being...
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Episode 20: Jordan Burroughs
Olympic Gold Medalist. 2x NCAA Champion. 3x World Champion. Episode 20 digs deep into the career of wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs as he speaks about the adversities and struggles he faced in his many years on the mat. Through relentless work ethic, a great support system, and an understanding...
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Episode 19: Franky Harrison
In an eye-opening Episode 19 of No Struggle No Story, former South Carolina Beach Volleyball player and current Duke Volleyball outside hitter Franky Harrison talks about her journey with mental health throughout her life. After years of struggles in her later high school and early college years,...
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Episode 18: Savanah Uveges
Episode 18 digs into an incredible conversation with former All-B1G Husker soccer player and current player for the NWSL Orlando Pride, Savanah Uveges. Savanah faced a daunting couple of years highlighted by four ACL surgeries. Through all of the pain and the struggle, she was able to find…
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Episode 17: A'shon Riggins
Episode 17 brings on All-B1G Freshman Honorable Mention, Defensive Player of the Game against Ohio State, and Freshman starting DB for the Indiana Hoosiers. Riggins delivers an incredibly inspiring story about his struggles with mental health and how he was able to turn his own struggles into a...
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Episode 16: Patrick Cacciatore
Episode 16 takes a different perspective as we bring on No Struggle No Story podcast host, Boyd Epley Award winner, ITA Scholar-Athlete, and Nebraska Men's Tennis player Patrick Cacciatore. Many people over the past few months have asked, why did you start the podcast? And the answer is this…
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Episode 15: Ruben Gonzales
On Episode 15, ATP Career-High #129, winner of 25 professional level doubles titles, and Philippines Davis Cup member Ruben Gonzales joins the show. Ruben shares his inspiring story about dealing with financial struggles at the beginning of his professional career but fighting on to pursue his...
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Episode 14: Jared Donaldson
In Episode 14, listen to former ATP #48 and 3rd round competitor of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open Jared Donaldson dig into the adversities he faced with his tennis career and how these shaped his view on how he would judge himself. After a brief period of quitting the sport, Donaldson refound...
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Episode 13: Will Blumberg
On Episode 13, 8x All-American, ACC Player of the Year, and 3x UNC Men's Tennis team Captain Will Blumberg delivers a vital message about the struggles he faced throughout his tennis career and the ways he was able to rebuild his confidence from a time of self-doubt. Surrounding himself with a...
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Episode 12: Jackson Withrow
Episode 12 brings on 3x All-American, ATP Number 66, and 2019 US Open Quarterfinalist Jackson Withrow to the podcast. Jackson gives incredible insight into how losing tennis for 22 months in a row due to surgeries changed his perspective on the game and how he viewed his success. His…
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Episode 11: Alexis Conaway
In Episode 11, 2x All-Big 12 First Team member, 2017 Big 12 Volleyball Scholar Athlete of the Year, and 2020 Finnish Cup Champion and MVP Alexis Conaway talks about the struggle of fighting expectations as she entered into a new environment, taking time away from the sport she once used to define...
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Episode 10: Yul Moldauer
On Episode 10, 3-Time NCAA Champion, 3-Time World Team member, and 2017 World Championship Bronze Medal gymnast Yul Molduaer discusses the stereotypes he fought as an adopted child from South Korea and how he used these to fuel him in his quest for excellence. Moldauer goes into detail about the...
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Episode 9: Mia Horvit
On Episode 9 of No Struggle No Story, 2x All-American, ITA #1 Doubles Player, and NCAA Top 25 Singles Player Mia Horvit discusses the struggles of entering a new environment at the University of South Carolina. Mia talks about the importance of building relationships to create a strong support...
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Episode 8: Paul Jubb
This week, 2019 NCAA Champion, ATP 519, and 2019 Wimbledon participant Paul Jubb discusses the effect that losing both of his parents at a young age had on his attitude towards life and his pursuit of excellence. Jubb talks intently about his process of learning how to not be sorry for himself…
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Episode 7: Kyven Gadson
In Episode 7, 2015 NCAA Wrestling Champion, 2013 BIG 12 Champion, and 2x US Open Wrestling Champion Kyven Gadson shares his inspiring story about the struggles he faced throughout his high school and collegiate career. In the midst of an illustrious collegiate wrestling campaign, Gadson is faced...
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Episode 6: Megan Miller
Listen to former Nebraska Volleyball Defensive Specialist and current Northwestern Wildcat player talk about her adversities and struggles with confidence. Megan digs in to the mechanisms she used to rebuild it and how she learned that she is more than just a volleyball player, but a great person...
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Episode 5: Adrian Martinez
On Episode 5, University of Nebraska starting quarterback and HS Under Armour All-American Adrian Martinez digs in to how he dealt with the series of setbacks he faced his senior year of high school and the high expectations placed on him his sophomore season at Nebraska. Adrian shares how he...
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Episode 4: Jake Van Emburgh
In this episode, Big 12 Freshman of the Year and ITA Top 50 tennis player Jake Van Emburgh speaks about the struggles he faced with a serious wrist injury and how he maintained confidence in himself through the process. He speaks about the importance of a great support system around you and…
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Episode 3: Madi Kubik
In this episode, B1G Freshman of the Year and AVCA Honorable Mention All American Nebraska outside hitter Madi Kubik talks about how her journey dealing with high expectations and anxiety. Kubik uses her experience as a freshman at Nebraska to learn how to judge her performance as a person rather...
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Episode 2: Danielle Collins
In this episode, 2-Time NCAA Champion and WTA 51 tennis player Danielle Collins gives insight into the adversities she faced in her college years and how they molded her into the person and player she is today. Without the struggles she faced at this time in her life, Danielle believes she would...
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Episode 1: Intro Video
The introduction to No Struggle No Story, a podcast speaking with the most successful athletes in the world and how their adversities helped breed success.
About this show
Athletes face adversity every day. Whether it be serious injuries, the loss of a family member, being taken out of the starting lineup, or an illness that keeps them from competing at their best, all athletes are forced to deal with stressful situations at some point. These events can be looked at in one of two ways: as a negative or as an opportunity to grow into something better than you were before. Many of the most successful athletes around the world use these times of struggle to learn and better themselves. Although this is not an easy task, every person uses different avenues to help pull themselves out of their emotions and continue to focus on improvement in the face of adversity. That is where our new platform, No Struggle No Story, is here to help. I will be speaking with highly successful athletes that have faced serious adversity in their life and finding out how they were able to use this event to learn and become a better athlete/person through it. The interviews will b
Hosted by
Patrick Cacciatore