Boise State football fans, this one goes way beyond the highlights.

I've followed Nick Schlekeway since his days at Eagle High School, and in this episode he shares the full story: winning at every level, playing for Boise State, and being part of the unforgettable Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma, including what it felt like inside that game that changed college football forever.

But the heart of this conversation is what happened after football ended.

Nick opens up about the identity crisis many athletes face, the emotional toll of losing the sport that shaped them, and how dark that transition can get when the cheers stop. We also talk about the reality of concussions in contact sports, how they impacted him, and what athletes and parents should understand when competing at a high level.

Today, Nick has taken the same "never quit" mindset from football and built a thriving business and team in Idaho, and his lessons on leadership, culture, and resilience apply to anyone chasing big goals.

In this episode, we cover:

• Eagle High football and the leaders who shaped Nick early
• Boise State's rise and the behind-the-scenes of the Fiesta Bowl run
• The mental battle of life after sports, identity, purpose, rebuilding
• Concussions and what athletes and parents need to know
• How Nick transitioned into entrepreneurship and built a winning culture

If you're a Boise State fan, love athlete stories, or want real insight into the grind beyond the game, follow the show and leave a review. It helps more than you know.

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If you would like to watch the show, please feel free to follow me on YouTube and catch the video podcast from each of the guests!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHG9H7vljaLwQ765GIdBQA

I had the chance to watch Layton Christian Academy compete at the Pro Image Sports Holiday Classic in Meridian, Idaho (Owyhee High School), and I was immediately intrigued by the way they carried themselves, competed, and ultimately won the tournament championship.

Even more fascinating: Layton Christian is an international school with a roster made up of 15 players from 15 different countries.

In this episode, Head Coach Casey Stanley breaks down what makes the program special and shares lessons that apply far beyond basketball, including:

• How he got into coaching at 6 years old (growing up around Iona College basketball)
• What college coaching is really like: the hours, travel, grind, and "grunt work"
• Why the best coaches and players succeed without ego (leadership takeaway)
• How international teams overcome language barriers (including stories using Google Translate)
• Why learning to "hug the win" matters for coaches, leaders, and business owners
• If you're a basketball junkie, a coach, a parent, or an athlete who loves the game — this one is for you.

Follow Layton Christian Basketball:

• Instagram: @lcambb

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Art Manteris is one of the most respected names in sports betting, an industry veteran with a four-decade career that includes time at the Fremont Hotel & Casino and running the sportsbook at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. He was also inducted into the Sports Gaming Hall of Fame for his impact on the world of sports gaming.

In this convo, I sit down with Art to talk about his new book, "The Bookie: How I Bet it all on Sports Gambling and Watched an Industry Explode", and the current headlines surrounding sports gambling.

With betting scandals and integrity concerns dominating the conversation, Art shares an insider perspective on what's real, what's misunderstood, and what leagues, sportsbooks, and bettors can do to protect the integrity of the game while keeping sports betting legalized and responsibly regulated.

If you're a sports fan, a bettor, or just curious about how this industry actually works behind the scenes, this is a must-listen.

Get the book:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bookie-Inside-Betting-Billion-Dollar-Industry-ebook/dp/B0DQVC88X4

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bookie-art-manteris/1147777162
...

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