Anthony Robles shares his inspirational journey to become NCAA Wrestling Champion
Anthony Robles was born to a teenage mother who was still in high school. Additionally, Anthony was born missing his right leg up to his hip. His mom, Judy, encouraged Anthony to live a life no different than kids his age. That encouragement led to Anthony playing a variety of sports, but it wasn't until his cousin introduced him to wrestling in the 8th grade that he found his calling. Utilizing his grip strength honed from using his crutches, Robles excelled and went 96-0 his last two years at Mesa High School in Arizona. After he won a high school National Championship, he received just one scholarship offer to Drexel. He dreamed of wrestling for national power Iowa but decided to walk on at nearby Arizona State. For the Sun Devils, Robles became a three-time All-American at 125 pounds. He capped his career by winning the 2011 National Championship against Matt McDonough from Iowa and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Robles won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY's where he was presented by Jay Leno. He later chronicled his journey in his autobiography, "Unstoppable", a line from a poem written by Dan Clark that Anthony read at the ESPY's. Following several delays. "Unstoppable" became a movie released earlier this year on Prime produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and starring Jharrel Jerome as Anthony and Jennifer Lopez as Judy (Anthony was Jerome's body double). Anthony shares his incredible story and the impact his mom has had in his life. He tells us his response to opponents saying his missing leg gave him an unfair advantage. Robles also tells us how a third-grade class changed his outlook on his career and helped lead to his undefeated senior season. Plus, he tells us why he enjoys being a motivational speaker, his goal as a high school coach in Arizona and his love for the NFL's Raiders.
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31:45
Amy Van Dyken-Rouen on Olympic Swimming Gold Medals and Life-Changing ATV Accident
Amy Van Dyken-Rouen grew up in Colorado and started swimming to combat her asthma. She soon excelled at the sport and just missed out on making the 1992 US Olympic Swim Team. She swam collegiately at Arizona for 2 years before transferring to Colorado State where she almost quit the sport. Instead, Van Dyken-Rouen swam for the Rams and broke the US record for the 50-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships with a time of 21.77 seconds. Named the 1994 NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year, Van Dyken-Rouen moved to the US Training Center in Colorado Springs where she qualified for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. At those games, she became the first American female athlete to win 4 gold medals in a single Olympic Games when she won the 50-yard freestyle, 100 butterfly, the 4×100 medley relay and the 4×100 freestyle relay. After that feat, the 23-year-old won many major awards, was on the cover of magazines, made numerous TV appearances and was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame. She battled injuries the next four years, but once again qualified for the US Olympic Team and won two more gold medals in the Sydney Olympics at 27 years old. Van Dyken-Rouen retired from the sport after Sydney and married NFL punter Tom Rouen. Retirement included stints as a radio DJ and NFL sideline reporter along with triathlons. On June 6, 2014, Van Dyken-Rouen's life took a dramatic turn when an ATV accident left her paralyzed from the waist down and nearly ended her life. Recovery from the accident led to an addiction to opioids and additional affects still felt today. She uses her platform to help those dealing with similar issues and has returned to broadcasting. The energetic Van Dyken-Rouen shares her story and tells us how being an athlete helped in her recovery both mentally and physically. She also recounts her Olympic experience and takes us in the pool in Atlanta during a race with an unexpected result. Van Dyken-Rouen also tells us about how her husband stood by her side during an uncertain time after her accident.
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40:59
Marc Mero on Wrestling for WCW and WWE, negotiating with Vince McMahon, Working with Ric Flair, and his INSPIRATIONAL Lifestyle
Marc Mero was born in Buffalo before moving to Liverpool, NY where he gravitated to the contact sports of hockey, lacrosse, football and boxing. He was a 4-time state champion boxer, but when an injury ended his dream of boxing in the Olympics, Mero turned to drugs and odd jobs to fill the void. After watching pro wrestling on TV, Mero gave the sport a try at age 30. He trained in Tampa and signed with the WCW in 1990 and worked with Dusty Rhodes to create "Johnny B. Badd". Portraying the flamboyant villain, Mero became a star and eventually negotiated with Vince McMahon to join the WWF (now WWE). Mero retired in 2006 and once again turned to drugs to cope with life's struggles. Down and out one Christmas Eve, Mero had a moment that would change his life and lead him to his current path as a motivational speaker talking to high school and middle school students about bullying and drug addiction. With the release of his memoir, Badd to Good - The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman, Mero joined us to share his story. He goes behind the scenes of professional wrestling and the training it takes to avoid series injury for him and his opponent. Mero tells us how singer Little Richard inspired his "Johnny B. Badd" character and also takes us in the ring for an early match against wrestling legend Ric Flair. He also remembers his darkest day and leaves us with an inspirational message. (For more on Marc Mero and his memoir, visit https://marcmero.com/)
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50:24
Herm Edwards on Life Lessons from Playing and Coaching in the NFL
Herm Edwards was born on an Army base with a dad who was a World War II veteran and a German mom. Edwards grew up in Seaside, CA and took to football against his mother’s wishes. He played cornerback at nearby California Berkeley for 2 seasons along with one season at Monterey Peninsula College and San Diego State where he would graduate in 1976 with a criminal justice degree. Undrafted, Edwards signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977. He spent 9 years with the franchise and never missed a regular season game. Along the way, he grabbed 38 interceptions, just 1 shy of the franchise record. Following his playing career, Edwards turned to coaching where he worked under mentors like Marty Schottenheimer and Tony Dungy. He got his own head coaching job in 2001 when he was hired by the New York Jets and was later traded to the Kansas City Chiefs where he replaced Dick Vermeil, his head coach in Philadelphia. He moved onto TV in 2009 when he was hired by ESPN and returned to the network in 2022 after a stint as a college coach. Now 70, Edwards reflects on his journey and shares the lessons he’s learned playing and coaching football. He also tells us about the life-changing moments during his career including the impact quarterback Roman Gabriel had on him. Plus, we hear the story behind his first NFL interception and the full-circle moment that came later.
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52:27
Herman Moore on NFL Pro Bowl Career, Barry Sanders and the Curse of Bobby Layne
Herman Moore was born and raised in Danville, VA where he was a three-sport athlete playing basketball, football and running track. After decommitting from Virginia Tech, Moore played for rival Virginia becoming an All-ACC and All-American wide receiver under Hall of Fame coach George Welsh. The Detroit Lions drafted Moore 10th overall in 1991 and in his rookie season, he helped lead Detroit to their first playoff win in 34 years. He made the Pro Bowl 4 times and finished his career with all the Detroit receiving records. In this episode, Moore shares his journey and takes us inside his NFL career explaining the differences between his many quarterbacks. He also tells us what it was like playing alongside Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders and tells us what keepsake of Sanders he won't part with. Moore explains why his numbers make him worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and hints at what his induction speech might include. He talks about being a fan favorite in Detroit and why he's still part of the community. Moore also gives us his take on The Curse of Babby Layne.
In the Front Row with Mike Vaccaro is your front row seat to one-on-one conversations with sports figures. Our guests are hall of famers, gold medalists, record holders, trailblazers and more. We share stories from all sports and eras to bring you amazing guests with incredible accounts of the moments that made them the athlete and person they are today.
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