• The Final Four Is Set!
    Apr 2 2024
    In this episode, Josh, Jeremy, & Blake discuss the excitement of March Madness and MLB's opening weekend. They highlight the journey of the Alabama basketball team, which made it to the Final Four for the first time in school history. They also discuss the dominant performance of the UConn basketball team, which has been winning games by large margins. Overall, it's an exciting time for sports fans with both basketball and baseball in full swing. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the dominance of UConn in college basketball and the possibility of them being the greatest team of all time. They also talk about Purdue's performance and their chances in the tournament. The conversation then shifts to NC State's surprising run in the tournament and their potential to win it all. Finally, they touch on the MLB and the new faces in new places, including Juan Soto and Mookie Betts. The conversation covers the difficulty of playing third base and shortstop, the athleticism of shortstops, the Yankees ending the Astros' opening day win streak, every team in the MLB scoring a run on opening day, impressions of the UFL's opening weekend, notable plays and moments from the UFL games, and a discussion on the future of the UFL. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Takeaways: - UConn's dominance in college basketball is unprecedented, and they have the potential to be considered the greatest team of all time. - Purdue has been performing well in the tournament, but their success will depend on their ability to maintain their momentum. - NC State's Cinderella story in the tournament has been impressive, and they have the potential to win it all. - The MLB has seen new faces in new places, including Juan Soto and Mookie Betts, who are making an impact on their respective teams. Third base and shortstop are considered challenging positions in baseball. - Shortstops are often seen as the most athletic players on the field. - The Yankees ended the Astros' opening day win streak. - Every team in the MLB scored at least one run on opening day... except the White Sox. - The UFL had an exciting opening weekend with notable plays and moments. - The future of the UFL is uncertain, but there is potential for growth. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Save $20 with Seat Geek at https://www.seatgeek.com or the app with code R2TO —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com •https://www.facebook.com/people/Rising-To-The-Occasion/100090814847855/?mibextid=LQQJ4d •https://twitter.com/r2topodcast •http://instagram.com/r2topodcast —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #HurrdatSports #Sports —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor 03:02 MLB Opening Weekend 06:07 March Madness: Bama's Journey 11:02 March Madness: UConn's Dominance 26:26 Purdue's Performance 28:29 NC State's Cinderella Story 40:16 New Faces in the MLB 45:26 Discussion about the difficulty of playing third base and shortstop 46:26 Shortstop as the most athletic position 48:08 Yankees ending the Astros' opening day win streak 49:22 Every team in the MLB scoring a run on opening day 50:18 Impressions of the UFL's opening weekend 53:16 Notable plays and moments from the UFL games 56:29 Discussion on the future of the UFL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • March Madness - Sweet 16 is Set!
    Mar 26 2024
    In this episode, Josh & Jeremy discuss the NCAA men's basketball tournament, focusing on the Sweet 16. They briefly touch on the women's tournament and the growing popularity of women's basketball. Then, they talk about the snubs in the tournament and whether it should be expanded. They highlight the biggest upsets in the tournament and express disappointment with the performance of SEC teams. The hosts discuss their Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and National Championship brackets, sharing their predictions for each round. They analyze the matchups and make their picks based on team performance and gut feelings. The conversation is filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming games. The hosts also announce that they will be hosting a separate competition for the Sweet 16 bracket and tease a big upcoming announcement. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– - The NCAA men's basketball tournament is a highly anticipated event, with the Sweet 16 being a major highlight. - Women's basketball has gained more attention in recent years, thanks to standout players like Caitlin Clark. - There were several upsets in the tournament, including lower-seeded teams defeating higher-seeded teams. - The hosts discuss the possibility of expanding the tournament and express their preference for keeping it at 64 teams. - The performance of SEC teams in the tournament was disappointing, leading to a discussion on fan expectations and the importance of making it to the Sweet 16. Cheer for your favorite teams and enjoy the excitement of March Madness. - Consider team performance and gut feelings when making bracket predictions. - Upsets and unexpected outcomes are part of the fun of March Madness. Stay tuned for a big announcement from the hosts. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Save $20 with Seat Geek at https://www.seatgeek.com or the app with code R2TO —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com https://www.facebook.com/people/Rising-To-The-Occasion/100090814847855/?mibextid=LQQJ4d https://twitter.com/r2topodcast http://instagram.com/r2topodcast —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #HurrdatSports #RaquelPennington #Sports #UFC #MMA —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:53 Discussion on Women's Basketball 06:02 Introduction to Men's Tournament 14:08 Discussion on Snubs and Expanding the Tournament 32:00 Disappointment with SEC Teams 33:17 Cheering for Creighton and Iowa State 34:12 Sweet 16 Bracket 37:16 Sweet 16 Bracket (continued) 39:42 Sweet 16 Bracket (continued) 45:23 Elite Eight Bracket 49:30 Final Four Bracket 52:18 National Championship Bracket 55:34 Jeremy's Final Four and National Champion 58:27 Josh's Final Four and National Champion 59:49 Blake's Final Four and National Champion 01:00:17 Conclusion and Announcement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Raquel Pennington Talks Her Journey to Becoming the Women's Bantamweight World Champion
    Mar 23 2024
    Raquel Pennington, the newest women's bantamweight champion of the world, discusses her journey in the UFC and her recent victory. She talks about the challenges she faced as a female athlete in a male-dominated sport and the criticism she received. Raquel reflects on her start in MMA and the spark that led her to become a fighter. She shares her thoughts on being a champion and the surreal feeling of accomplishing her goal. Raquel also discusses potential future opponents and the relationships between fighters behind the scenes. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Takeaways: Raquel Pennington faced challenges as a female athlete in a male-dominated sport but overcame them to become the women's bantamweight champion of the world. Her journey in MMA started with a broken back and a desire to prove herself as an athlete. Raquel values authenticity and does not engage in trash-talking her opponents, preferring to let her fighting skills speak for themselves. She called out Juliana Pena as a potential opponent for her next title defense. Raquel emphasizes the importance of respect and sportsmanship between fighters, even in a competitive sport like MMA. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Save $20 with Seat Geek at https://www.seatgeek.com or the app with code R2TO —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com https://www.facebook.com/people/Rising-To-The-Occasion/100090814847855/?mibextid=LQQJ4d https://twitter.com/r2topodcast http://instagram.com/r2topodcast —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #HurrdatSports #RaquelPennington #Sports #UFC #MMA —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:10 Becoming the Champion 05:22 Starting in MMA 08:54 Challenges on the Journey 12:36 The Fight and Post-Fight Thoughts 20:21 Future Plans and Potential Opponents 25:26 Relationships Between Fighters 28:10 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • NFL Free Agency Frenzy
    Mar 13 2024
    In this episode, Josh & Jeremy discuss the biggest NFL free agency moves. They dive into the NFL free agency news, including Baker Mayfield's contract with the Buccaneers, Chris Jones' contract with the Chiefs, and the potential signing of Russell Wilson with the Steelers. They also discuss Kirk Cousins' contract with the Falcons and Saquon Barkley's signing with the Eagles. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various signings and trades in the NFL free agency. They cover topics such as Kirk Cousins, Deandre Swift, Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekeler, Jameis Winston, Derrick Henry, and Patrick Queen. The hosts analyze the impact of these moves on the respective teams and divisions. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Takeaways - The NFL free agency period is filled with constant news and updates. - Contracts and signings can have a significant impact on teams' rosters and future success. - Players like Baker Mayfield, Chris Jones, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Saquon Barkley are among the notable names involved in free agency. - Teams must carefully consider their moves and the potential impact on their overall strategy. - The addition of key players can significantly improve a team's performance. - The AFC North division is becoming more competitive with the recent signings and trades. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Shop Big Frig coolers and tumblers at https://www.bigfrig.com and use code RISINGTO20 for 20% OFF! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Go to https://dkng.co/BellyUp200 to sign up for DraftKings, place a $5 bet and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY! Promo may vary based on location, terms & conditions apply. Must be 21 or older to bet, please gamble responsibly! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com https://www.facebook.com/ https://twitter.com/r2topodcast http://instagram.com/r2topodcast —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #BellyUpSports #Sports —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:58 Discussion of NFL Free Agency 04:45 Chris Jones' Contract with the Chiefs 05:15 Russell Wilson's Potential Signing with the Steelers 07:32 Kirk Cousins' Contract with the Falcons 30:28 Discussion about Kirk Cousins and Deandre Swift 37:11 Josh Jacobs signing with the Packers 39:34 Austin Ekeler signing with the Washington Commanders 41:24 Jameis Winston signing with the Browns 50:43 Derrick Henry signing with the Ravens 54:27 Patrick Queen signing with the Steelers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • UFC 299 Reaction - O'Malley vs Vera 2
    Mar 12 2024
    In this episode, Josh & Blake review UFC 299 and discuss their favorite fights of the night. They start by previewing the event and expressing their excitement for the upcoming fights in UFC 300. They then dive into each fight of 299, including Sean O'Malley's impressive performance and Dustin Poirier's comeback win. They also discuss Michel Pereira's unique fighting style and Michael "Venom" Page's entertaining entrance. The hosts highlight the toughness of Marlon Chito Vera, who took a beating from Sean O'Malley but never gave up. They conclude by looking forward to UFC 300 and the potential for more exciting fights. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Takeaways - Sean O'Malley's performance was impressive, showcasing his skills and precision in the octagon. - Dustin Poirier's comeback win against Benoit St. Denis was a highlight of the night. - Michel Pereira's unique fighting style and entertaining entrance made for an exciting fight. - Chito Vera's toughness and resilience were commendable, despite taking a beating from Sean O'Malley. - The hosts are looking forward to UFC 300 and the potential for more exciting fights. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Save $20 with Seat Geek at https://www.seatgeek.com or the app with code R2TO —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Go to https://dkng.co/BellyUp200 to sign up for DraftKings, place a $5 bet and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY! Promo may vary based on location, terms & conditions apply. Must be 21 or older to bet, please gamble responsibly! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com Twitter/Instagram: @R2TOpodcast We’re on Facebook now! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #BellyUpSports #Sports —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and UFC 299 Preview 03:00 Discussion of Sean O'Malley's Fight 06:19 Michelle Pereira's Fight 07:18 Curtis Blades vs. Almeida 08:48 Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit St. Denis 10:43 Michael Venom Page vs. Kevin Holland 12:37 Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit St. Denis (continued) 15:01 Sean O'Malley vs. Chito Vera 41:12 Looking Forward to UFC 300 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • UFC 299 Preview - O'Malley vs Vera 2
    Mar 9 2024
    Josh & Blake discuss the upcoming UFC 299 card and Mike Tyson's return to boxing against Jake Paul. They highlight the fights they are most excited about, including Maycee Barber vs. Katlyn Cerminara and Michael "Venom" Page vs. Kevin Holland. They also discuss the importance of entertaining fights and the work ethic of Jake Paul. Overall, they are looking forward to a stacked card and expect a lot of excitement. The conversation covers retirement considerations, Poirier's career and title aspirations, predictions for the Poirier vs. Saint Denis fight, Conor McGregor's future, a comparison between Sean O'Malley and Conor McGregor, a potential fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler, analysis of the O'Malley vs. Vera fight, the fan and Vegas favorites in the fight, predictions for the fight, discussion on Dana White's talent scouting, and closing remarks. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Takeaways - The UFC 299 card is highly anticipated and features several exciting fights. - Maycee Barber vs. Katlyn Cerminara and Michael "Venom" Page vs. Kevin Holland are fights to watch. - Appreciation for Jake Paul putting on a show and having a strong work ethic. - The return of Mike Tyson to boxing is generating a lot of buzz. Retirement is a topic of discussion for fighters like McGregor and Poirier. - Poirier's career and title aspirations are discussed, with recognition of his accomplishments. - Predictions are made for the Poirier vs. Saint Denis fight. - The potential fight between McGregor and Chandler is analyzed. - The O'Malley vs. Vera fight is analyzed, with predictions made. - Dana White's talent scouting abilities are praised. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Save $20 with Seat Geek at https://www.seatgeek.com or the app with code R2TO —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Go to https://dkng.co/BellyUp200 to sign up for DraftKings, place a $5 bet and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY! Promo may vary based on location, terms & conditions apply. Must be 21 or older to bet, please gamble responsibly! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com Twitter/Instagram: @R2TOpodcast We’re on Facebook now! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #BellyUpSports #Sports —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Keeping Up w/ the NFL Draft
    Mar 5 2024
    In this episode, Josh, Blake and Jeremy discuss various topics in the NFL, including proposed changes to the kickoff rule and the quarterback situations for the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears. They also talk about the importance of the NFL Combine and the recent achievement of LeBron James reaching 40,000 points in his career. In this episode, the hosts discuss NHL trade deadline updates, including potential landing spots for Marc-Andre Fleury. They also talk about trade updates for defensemen and forwards. The conversation then shifts to MLB spring training and the teams to watch in the upcoming season. The hosts share their dream MLB stadiums to visit. The episode concludes with closing remarks and a call to action for listeners to support the podcast. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Takeaways - Proposed changes to the kickoff rule in the NFL are being discussed by the competition committee. - The Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears are facing quarterback dilemmas and have various options to consider. - The hosts have mixed opinions on the importance of the NFL Combine, with some believing it provides valuable information for scouts and others emphasizing the importance of game film. - LeBron James reaching 40,000 points in his career is a significant achievement and solidifies his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. - MLB Spring Training and teams to watch out for this upcoming season. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Save $20 with Seat Geek at https://www.seatgeek.com or the app with code R2TO —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Go to https://dkng.co/BellyUp200 to sign up for DraftKings, place a $5 bet and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY! Promo may vary based on location, terms & conditions apply. Must be 21 or older to bet, please gamble responsibly! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com Twitter/Instagram: @R2TOpodcast We’re on Facebook now! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #BellyUpSports #Sports —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and NFL News 03:52 Proposed Changes to NFL Kickoff Rule 08:28 Denver Broncos' Quarterback Situation 13:56 Chicago Bears' Quarterback Situation 29:15 LeBron James Reaches 40,000 Points 36:38 NHL Trade Deadline Updates 38:11 Potential Landing Spots for Marc-Andre Fleury 41:19 Trade Updates for Defensemen and Forwards 45:31 Discussion on MLB Spring Training 50:13 MLB Teams to Watch 56:45 Dream MLB Stadiums to Visit 01:00:37 Closing Remarks and Call to Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • CFB Playoff Expansion... AGAIN???
    Feb 27 2024
    In this episode, Josh & Jeremy discuss the dominance of Oklahoma softball, Patrick Kane's return to Chicago, the proposed expansion of the college football playoff, Marvin Harrison Jr.'s decision to skip the NFL Combine, the increase in the NFL salary cap, and impressive teams in college baseball. Takeaways - Oklahoma softball continues to dominate with a 67-game winning streak. - Patrick Kane's return to Chicago was emotional and resulted in a game-winning goal. - The college football playoff may be expanded to 14 teams in the future. - Marvin Harrison Jr. chose to skip the NFL Combine to focus on training for the NFL season. - The NFL salary cap has increased to $255.4 million per team. - Several teams in college baseball have had impressive starts to the season. —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support the show and become a member for exclusive perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzz7MJXWm7ETsj_55rsFZw/join —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Save time and money while stopping stress over meal prep, cooking, and cleaning up afterwards. Factor meals are ready in just 2 minutes and easy cleanup! Try Factor meals today by going to https://factormeals.com/risingto50 and use code RISINGTO50 for 50% OFF plus 2 free wellness shots per box while subscription is active! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Shop Big Frig coolers and tumblers at https://www.bigfrig.com and use code RISINGTO20 for 20% OFF! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Go to https://dkng.co/BellyUp200 to sign up for DraftKings, place a $5 bet and receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY! Promo may vary based on location, terms & conditions apply. Must be 21 or older to bet, please gamble responsibly! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Our Website: https://www.risingto.com Twitter/Instagram: @R2TOpodcast We’re on Facebook now! —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Help us out greatly with a 5 star review! - https://www.risingto.com/reviews/ —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– #RisingToTheOccasion #BellyUpSports #Sports —––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor 01:27 Discussion on Oklahoma Softball Dynasty 09:37 Proposed Expansion of College Football Playoff 11:08 Marvin Harrison Jr.'s Decision to Skip NFL Combine 27:39 Impressive Teams in College Baseball 34:19 Conclusion and Call to Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins