The Caution Stalling Podcast

Ky, an accomplished dual-sport athlete, walks us through his journey as a faith-driven competitor. A three-time State runner-up at heavyweight and a varsity offensive lineman, you might expect an aggressive personality—but Ky is the opposite. While his presence is big, his heart is even bigger. He prides himself on kindness, humility, and living through his faith, saving his aggression strictly for competition.Ky shares how his love for wrestling wasn’t immediate—it was built. Early on, he wanted to quit, but his father stepped in with a simple standard: you don’t quit what you start. Through that, wrestling became more than a sport. It became a bond between father and son—one that shaped Ky into who he is today. Along the way, he learned a powerful truth: once you’ve endured wrestling, everything else in life feels manageable.The podcast also touches on an emotional and meaningful moment from his senior year banquet. After the passing of his father, Kelly Brinkeroff, light was still found in honoring his legacy. An award representing excellence and character was created—one that Ky now helps present each year. Additionally, the Las Vegas High School wrestling room was renamed the K. Brinkeroff Wrestling Room, a lasting tribute to both Ky and his father.Ky is still navigating life after loss, leaning heavily on his faith to guide him forward. His next step after graduation is to serve a two-year mission, spreading the word of Jesus Christ. After that, he plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a firefighter.Ky may not claim to have everything figured out, but one thing is clear—he brings light, purpose, and strength to everything he’s a part of.

An Missouri Valley College commit, Madison opens up about her beginnings in wrestling, the path that shaped her career, and the family dynamic that made the sport such a central part of her life.While wrestling has surrounded her with teammates, coaches, and constant competition, Madison shares that she has always carried a bit of a lone-wolf mentality. It’s part of what has helped shape her identity as both a person and a competitor.Wrestling, she explains, was her family’s sport—and she was the second sibling to take it on. But by staying with it the longest, Madison helped pave the way for her younger siblings to follow. In many ways, she helped build the standard.The podcast also gives us a glimpse into the competitiveness that runs through her family, especially with her sister. Whether it was wrestling for the bigger room or doing push-up challenges to earn the better seat on an airplane, competition didn’t stop when practice ended.But beyond the rivalry, there’s admiration.Madison talks about how rewarding it is to watch her younger sister continue doing what she loves—wrestling—and how much pride she takes in seeing her siblings chase their own goals.She also takes us through her recruiting process, narrowing her decision down to two schools before ultimately signing with Missouri Valley College at Women’s Nationals—a moment that brought clarity to the next chapter of her career.All in all, Madison reflects on her wrestling journey, her family, and the joy she finds not only in her own accomplishments, but in watching the people closest to her achieve great things in their own lives.

Bella, a wrestler for Rancho High School, joins the Caution Stalling Podcast. What started as a way to stay involved while recovering from an injury turned into something much bigger—Bella picked up a camera and began capturing moments at tournaments, and the rest is history.Through that lens, Bella didn’t just stay connected to the sport—she found another way to be part of it. While wrestling runs deep in her family, Bella is focused on carving out her own identity, both on the mat and behind the camera. She continues to develop her skills as a competitor, with the goal of becoming a force in her own right.Her photography page, @b66pix_, quickly gained attention in the wrestling community. What started as simply taking pictures has evolved into capturing the shot—the moment that tells the story, the emotion, the grind.Beyond that, Bella is balancing it all. As a multi-sport athlete, she manages her academics, social life, and training, all while scheduling shoots and building connections with athletes through social media.At first, Bella was just taking pictures.Now—she’s capturing moments that matter.While Bella is pursuing her own wrestling future, the pictures might have to take a pause.

Manny “The Comeback Kid” Saldate, an Oregon State Beavers wrestling standout, finally joins the podcast. Manny gives us the rundown on what it’s like to be one of the best—if not the best—to ever come out of Nevada. He dives into a journey built on relentless work ethic and fully embracing the grind that wrestling demands.Manny takes us back to where it all started. He began with the infamous Team GV wrestling club at just 4 years old. Even as a little kid, Manny was putting in extra work on the side during practice. That dedication caught attention early—until one day, a coach told his parents it was time to get him a pair of wrestling shoes. That moment marked the beginning of something special, making Manny the youngest member in GV history.After his time at GV, Manny transitioned to SLAM Wrestling Club for a short stint before his family found their home at Pistol Petes Wrestling Club—which would soon evolve into Gold Rush Wrestling Club under Chase Pami. Under Pami’s guidance, Manny continued leveling up, chasing bigger goals and capitalizing on every opportunity in front of him. Gold Rush became the perfect environment for his growth, and Manny took full advantage.During his high school career alongside his time with Gold Rush, Manny stacked an elite resume. Just a few highlights include: Fargo Champion, U20 U.S. Open Champion, Doc B finalist, multi-time Fargo All-American, and a consistent top-10 national ranking. And that’s only scratching the surface.While the list goes on, these accomplishments alone make a powerful case—Manny Saldate is arguably the greatest high school wrestler Nevada has ever produced.

James Zuniga, a multi-sport athlete and the younger brother of Mark Zuniga—a previous guest on the show—joins Daniel on the Caution Stalling Podcast. James reflects on his experiences competing in both soccer and wrestling. While he makes it clear that soccer is his true passion, he also opens up about the grind of wrestling and some of the personal disconnect he has felt with the sport over the years.James has spent a significant amount of time competing in wrestling. Although it has never fully captured his heart, he openly shares that the sport has given him many things to be grateful for. One of the biggest connections he has to wrestling is his brother Mark. That relationship helped keep James tied to the sport and shaped much of his journey on the mat. He reflects on the long road he has traveled in wrestling and how the experience has helped mold him both as an athlete and as a person.When the conversation shifts to soccer, James’ passion immediately becomes clear. He loves the team dynamic and the fact that the sport is played outdoors. James talks about how he first got started with soccer and explains the difference between high school soccer and the club level. Club soccer, in particular, has opened his eyes to the game in a new way—allowing him to learn new positions, grow as a player, and experience the travel that comes with competing at a higher level.By the end of the conversation, James’ story highlights an important reality many athletes face: being talented in multiple sports doesn’t always mean loving them equally. His journey shows the internal battles athletes can experience when balancing family traditions with personal passions. While James isn’t forced to wrestle, he admits that it can be difficult to fully commit when his heart is drawn so strongly toward the game of soccer (which is okay). His story is an example of following your heart.

Ryder, a sophomore in high school, has built himself into a State Champion — not through flash or hype, but through discipline and a willingness to embrace what’s difficult. For much of his early journey, he was simply trying to find his way in the sport. What separated him wasn’t immediate dominance, but his commitment to doing the hard things over and over again. Now, as a State Champion, Ryder speaks with gratitude about the lessons in accountability, toughness, and resilience that wrestling has given him as a young man.Ryder is quick to joke about being a “staller,” embracing the comments with a smile. While the label doesn’t truly define his style, it doesn’t bother him either. In high-level matches, many elite wrestlers become calculated and protective of position. Ryder understands that strategy. Though he confidently expresses his ability to score, he admits he often feels more comfortable shutting down opponents’ attacks than initiating them. It’s a self-awareness that reflects his growth — from youth wrestling, to his freshman season, to now capturing a State Title as a sophomore.He also opens up about early struggles in his career. Without going into deep detail, Ryder shares two pivotal challenges he faced as a child: weight cutting and the pressure to win. At just 11 years old, he experienced a 16-pound weight cut — something that shaped his perspective on the sport. He also put immense pressure on himself to win, driven by his admiration for his coaches and his desire to make them proud.The turning point came in high school under Coach Pineda. Coach Pineda removed the burden of outcome and asked Ryder to focus on one thing — wrestling hard. That shift changed everything. By emphasizing effort over results, Ryder was freed to compete without fear. He learned how to process losses, how to grow from them, and how to separate his identity from the scoreboard. That period became one of the most critical stages of his development.Today, Ryder stands not just as a State Champion, but as an athlete shaped by adversity, perspective, and the right guidance at the right time. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t always come from winning — it often comes from learning how to handle everything that comes with it.

Kaija joins the podcast and brings an incredible amount of energy to her story. What began as wrestling in high school simply to be around the boys quickly turned into something much deeper. Kaija found a true connection to the sport and developed a genuine love for wrestling. While she’s achieved significant success, much of her journey—and daily athletic life—has been a battle. Kaija is truly inspiring.A top wrestler in Nevada, Kaija battles more than just opponents on the mat. Alongside the grind and hardships every wrestler faces, she also manages diabetes—something that changes everything in a sport built around making weight. While she has done an incredible job competing even five pounds under, it’s a challenge far greater than most understand. At times, she has to step off the mat to prioritize her health. Monitoring weight alone is exhausting for wrestlers; balancing that while needing to intake sugar adds another layer of difficulty few ever experience.Kaija is more than just a wrestler. She’s a retired high-level gymnast, a track athlete, and a powerlifting competitor. Her pursuit of excellence shows up in every phase of her life, not just when she’s wearing a Green Valley singlet. Her dedication, resilience, and daily battles are what truly make Kaija extraordinary.

Coach Fiorito joins the Caution Stalling Podcast in a truly unique way. Joshua isn’t a coach tied to a specific sport—he specializes in the mental side of athletics and competition. Through his own experiences as a competitor, Joshua fought personal battles that ultimately shaped his desire to help others navigate theirs. At the end of the day, he reminds us of something important: this is still just a game.Joshua shares glimpses of his wrestling career—just enough to give us insight into who he was becoming. Though he found success, he always felt there was more to pursue. It wasn’t until he lost wrestling that he truly realized how deeply he loved the sport.Coach Josh also dives into the mission behind his business, The Centered Athlete. Rather than explaining it outright, we challenge you to listen and experience it for yourself. Using host Daniel as a live example, Josh walks both Daniel and the audience through part of his process—offering a real-time look into how he helps athletes dial in mentally and compete with clarity.

Emilio, a third generation wrestler joins The Caution Stalling Podcast. While wrestling has taken over his family, Emilio found peace on the mat. Even today he often refers to it as, "it's all I know." While some people look at wrestling as job, Emilio significantly benefitted from a wrestler. Today, Emilio has left the mat but the mat never left Emilio. Emilio while credentialed in his own right in wrestling, continued the family success as the 3rd generation wrestlers in the Garcia family. He speaks on the aid and guidance he received as well as the moment of being apart of the induction to the Hall of Fame. While his journey has come to an end, he discusses missing wrestling and the grind that has built him to what he is, a success story. While wrestling has changed his life through the grind, Emilio has now taken that same grind into his new profession of tattooing. He has worked none stop as an apprentice to make it. Practice makes perfect and through every rep, he continues to imply his wrestling mindset in his craft.

Cash, a young wrestler striving toward success, joins the podcast to discuss his journey so far. At such a young age, Cash is already a highly regarded athlete, and this episode offers insight into what separates him from the rest. Through adversity, Cash has developed a strong mindset—one that has become his greatest weapon.Now in his sophomore year, Cash reflects on the path that brought him to this point. Through relentless hard work and dedication, he continues to push forward regardless of results. His commitment to becoming the best goes beyond technical development on the mat; Cash has embraced the process of getting bigger, faster, and stronger. That same mentality carried him to Bishop Gorman, where he’s learned that excelling as an athlete also means meeting the demands of academics.Mature beyond his years, Cash embodies the meaning of “Chop Wood, Carry Water.” He doesn’t chase outcomes—he focuses on the next battle, the next test. While the power of the “G” can intimidate some, Cash embraces it, understanding that representing the “G” is weightless when your focus is on honoring your school, your family, and yourself.

Sterling, arguably Nevada’s most decorated wrestler, joins the Caution Stalling Podcast. A multi-time Fargo champion, multi-time Nevada State champion, and now an Iowa Hawkeye, Sterling walks us through the journey of her wrestling career.While many know her for what she’s accomplished on the mat, Sterling opens up about what defines her off the mat. For her, success isn’t only measured by world teams or medals—it’s about building a meaningful career and one day having a big family.She also shares what’s closest to her heart, including her #thinkingofyou initiative and what it means to be a superhero for a young kid named Yadier. Though many see her as the GOAT, Sterling describes herself simply as Sterling.One of a kind—a great wrestler, a strong family-oriented person, and an even better role model.

The 10-year dynasty built by Coach Jon Ferry at Green Valley High School is arguably the greatest decade-long run in Nevada wrestling history. During that span, Coach Ferry led the program to seven state championships and three state runner-up finishes. While debates can always be made about eras and programs, Coach Ferry has unquestionably earned his seat at the table as one of Nevada wrestling’s all-time greats.Wrestling was never just a sport for Jon Ferry — it was part of his bloodline. In the Ferry family, wrestling and coaching were simply what you did. Although his own competitive career came to an early close once he reached college, that ending opened the door to something even more impactful.Coach Ferry’s coaching journey began when an old friend recognized his potential and invited him to help with the wrestling program at Las Vegas High School. There, he learned the ropes and developed his coaching philosophy before making the move to Green Valley High School. Over time, he became the head coach, and with that role came a vision.One of Coach Ferry’s greatest contributions was his commitment to building from the ground up. By heavily investing in the youth program, he laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse — Team GV. That pipeline fueled Green Valley’s dominance and reshaped wrestling in the area.Eventually, Coach Ferry made the selfless decision to step away from the mat to focus on his son. Determined to be present, he dedicated himself to becoming the best baseball coach he could so he could coach and support his son’s journey. Now, with his son thriving and off to college, Coach Ferry has returned to where it all began — back on the mat at Green Valley, serving once again as an assistant coach.A dynasty builder. A mentor. A father. Coach Jon Ferry’s impact on Nevada wrestling is undeniable.

Tatiana, once a dominant runner on the track, found herself searching for direction beyond the lanes. Though she qualified for state every year in high school, she wanted something different — something that would push her to become the absolute best version of herself. That search led her to the wrestling room.From the moment she stepped onto the mat, Tatiana fell in love with the environment. The grind, the accountability, and the reality that everything had to be earned fueled her competitive fire. Early on, she was gifted something priceless — a lifelong friend and training partner in Kaylynn, who pushed her to improve faster, work harder, and believe deeper. Just as important, Tatiana found a family in the wrestling room. The friendships, bonds, and shared grind with her fellow wrestlers became what she loves most about the sport.In this episode, Tatiana opens up about the possibility of walking away from athletics instead of chasing the dream of competing at the collegiate level. But one thing is clear — because of wrestling, she knows she’s prepared for whatever path she chooses. Sports don’t end when competition does; they become part of who you are.Tatiana is Tatiana because of sports — and they will always live within her.