On The Subject with Mike Vilardo

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Mike Vilardo knows the student-athlete journey from every angle. After competing with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and earning All-Ivy League and Academic All-Big Ten honors in baseball, he now serves as Co-founder & CEO of Subject.com, one of the nation's leading providers of accredited online education for student-athletes and schools. On On The Subject, Mike brings together professional athletes, coaches, recruiters, founders, and sports leaders for candid conversations about youth sports, college athletics, recruiting, NIL, leadership, and life after the game. Honest stories. Practical advice. New episodes every week. Follow along: @mikefromsubject • @onthesubjectpodcast • @trysubject ]]>

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60 recent

August 19, 20261 hr 9 min

#88 - A Conversation with Gary Roberts, the Man Who Trains McDavid, Stamkos, and 200+ NHL Draft Picks [VIDEO]

Gary Roberts Performance is the most quietly influential address in hockey — the Toronto program where the best players in the world spend their summers, and where more than 200 NHL-drafted players have trained in the last decade alone. In this episode, Gary breaks down how that garage gym became the off-season home for NHL stars, and where fuel, training, and recovery actually rank in terms of what moves the needle. He walks us through the 12-week off-season program week by week, sets the record straight on the legendary "Gary Roberts diet" — what held up and what he's changed his mind about — and explains why cutting carbs is one of the worst things a hockey player can do. We separate real recovery from recovery theater, sorting cold plunge, sauna, and red light into what earns its place and what doesn't. Gary shares what 200-plus drafted players have in common, three things a fifteen-year-old can start this week for free, and his honest take on the combine, draft stock, and the biggest lie being sold to hockey families right now. Follow along: @mikefromsubject @onthesubjectpodcast @trysubject

August 12, 20261 hr 30 min

#87 - How DSARM Built One of Baseball’s Biggest Creator Brands

In this episode of On the Subject , DSARM sits down with Mike Vilardo to talk about the decision to bet on content, how he found his lane in a crowded baseball world, and what it actually takes to turn videos into a career. Dan Sarmiento, better known as DSARM , went from a left-handed pitcher at Exeter High and Bridgton Academy to one of the most-followed independent baseball creators online. Instead of chasing a college roster spot, he picked up a camera and built an audience of hundreds of thousands across YouTube and social media. For young athletes, baseball doesn't have to end when the playing career does. DSARM's story shows just how many ways there are to build a career around the game.

August 5, 20261 hr 22 min

# 86 - How to Master Your Mind with Pro Fighter Ariel "Tarzan" Sexton

This week, Mike sits down with Ariel "Tarzan" Sexton—ONE Championship veteran, The Ultimate Fighter competitor, and one of the pioneers of MMA in Costa Rica. From moving to Costa Rica with nothing but a suitcase to competing against some of the world's best, Ariel shares the highs, the setbacks, and everything people don't see behind a career in professional fighting. They talk about fighting through devastating injuries, what it's actually like getting paid as a professional fighter outside the UFC, why jiu-jitsu can change a kid's life, and the mentality it takes to keep chasing a dream long after everyone else would've quit. Whether you're a fighter, a parent thinking about martial arts for your child, or someone chasing a goal that doesn't make sense to anyone else, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, discipline, and betting on yourself. Follow along: @mikefromsubject @onthesubjectpodcast @trysubject

July 23, 20261 hr 12 min

#85 - What No One Tells You About Signing a $5.5M MLB Contract at 18 with Jacob Turner

Former first-round MLB Draft pick Jacob Turner joins Mike Vilardo on On the Subject to share what really happens after your name is called on draft day. From signing a multi-million dollar bonus out of high school to spending eight seasons in Major League Baseball, Jacob breaks down the realities of professional baseball that most players and families never hear about. Together they discuss the MLB Draft process, signing bonus negotiations, taxes, agents, arbitration, the minor leagues, financial mistakes athletes make, and how to prepare for life after sports. Now as the co-founder of Moment Private Wealth, Jacob helps professional athletes build lasting financial security—and shares the lessons he wishes every young player knew before turning pro.

July 16, 20261 hr 16 min

#84 - What It ACTUALLY Takes To Get an NHL Contract with Agent Dominic Boily [VIDEO]

What does it really take to make it to the NHL—and even harder, build a lasting professional career? On this episode of On the Subject, Mike Vilardo sits down with NHL player agent Dominic Boily for an inside look at the business of professional hockey. Drawing from years of representing elite players, Dom explains what NHL organizations are actually looking for beyond raw talent, how the draft and free agency process works, and what the relationship between a player and their agent really looks like. He also shares how he helps athletes navigate contracts, roster decisions, career transitions, and the challenges that come with competing at the highest level. Whether you're a young player chasing the NHL, a parent trying to understand the path to professional hockey, or a coach preparing athletes for the next level, this conversation offers practical insights into what separates the players who make it from those who don't.

July 1, 20261 hr 16 min

#83 - What 10 Years in the MLB Will Teach You With Kyle Farmer [VIDEO]

Atlanta native and MLB veteran Kyle Farmer joins On the Subject for an honest conversation from his childhood home about what it really takes to last nearly 10 years in Major League Baseball. After making his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kyle has built a career spanning more than 800 MLB games, recording over 500 career hits, 60+ home runs, and earning a reputation as one of baseball's most dependable utility players. In this episode, we discuss his journey from Georgia to winning a College World Series championship and reaching the big leagues, the setbacks that nearly ended his career, what it means to return home and play for the Atlanta Braves, and how versatility has helped him stay in the majors for nearly a decade. Kyle also shares untold clubhouse stories, the realities of life in professional baseball, and his advice for parents, coaches, and young athletes chasing their dreams. Whether you're a baseball fan, aspiring athlete, or simply looking to learn what it takes to build a long, successful career, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

June 25, 20261 hr 7 min

#82 - Former D1 Captain Adam Cecere Reveals What Gets Players Recruited [VIDEO]

Podcast Description Adam Cecere joins us on On the Subject to talk about what it takes to build a successful life beyond sports. A former Division I baseball standout at Wake Forest and Penn State, Adam hit 49 career home runs, played in more than 140 collegiate games, and served as team captain. But while competing at the highest level, he was also building something bigger—founding Celo Nutrition, a sports performance company dedicated to helping athletes optimize their recovery and performance. In this episode, we dive into the recruiting process at elite academic-athletic programs, the realities of balancing Division I athletics with entrepreneurship, and whether NIL is creating more business-minded athletes or simply more distractions. Adam shares the biggest nutrition mistakes college athletes make, why athletes need an identity beyond their sport, what college coaches actually value during recruiting, and how AI, NIL, and the transfer portal are reshaping the future of athletics. Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, coach, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights on building success both on and off the field.

June 17, 20261 hr 15 min

#81 - The Recruiting Secret Most Parents Never Hear with Coach Ballgame [VIDEO]

Coach Ballgame, also known as James Lowe, joins us on On the Subject for an honest conversation about youth baseball, player development, and the realities of the recruiting process. As the Youth Ambassador for Major League Baseball's Play Ball Program and a Brown University graduate, James has spent more than two decades helping young athletes and their families navigate the game the right way. From running camps and clinics for kids ages 3–12 to taking his message to the White House, Cooperstown, MLB All-Star Games, and the World Series, Coach Ballgame has built a movement centered around one belief: youth sports should develop better people, not just better athletes. In this episode, we discuss the dangers of the win-at-all-costs mentality, when families should start thinking about recruiting, what college coaches are really looking for, whether showcases and travel ball are worth the investment, and how baseball can become a vehicle for academic opportunity and long-term success. If you're a parent, coach, or student-athlete trying to understand how sports can open doors beyond the field, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

June 10, 20261 hr 3 min

#80 - This Is Why You're NOT Getting Recruited In Sports with Coach Ferber [VIDEO]

Coach Ferber joins us on On the Subject to break down player development, recruiting, and what it really takes to make it in baseball - from someone who built his reputation from the ground up in Coney Island and became the most followed baseball coaching voice on social media. Coach Jason Ferber has over 225,000 Instagram followers and has developed some of the top young players in the country. His philosophy is simple: know your players, coach their strengths as much as their weaknesses, and tell them the truth - even when it's hard to hear. In this episode, we unpack the biggest challenges and misconceptions in the college recruiting process, from travel baseball and showcases to the transfer portal and choosing the right school. We also discuss what college coaches are really looking for, how learning disabilities can impact recruiting, and the common mistakes that hold athletes back. If you're a high school player, parent, or coach trying to navigate recruiting and development — this episode is a must-watch.

June 3, 202632 min

#79 - How Crazy Carl Went Viral on TikTok Through Golf [VIDEO]

Crazy Carl joins Mike Vilardo on On The Subject to talk golf, social media, college athletics, and their journey from childhood baseball teammates to content creators. Carl shares how he built a loyal following through authentic golf content, what it's really like to go viral, and the lessons he's learned from sports, business, and life along the way.