# 046: Michael Barikian

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656/046-michael-barikian
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656/046-michael-barikian.md
Podcast: [New Jersey Mat Chat](https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656)
Published: 2026-05-24T22:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/new-jersey-mat-chat/2844989
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/329189/2844989/new-jersey-mat-chat/2026_05_21_01_05_48_6d1f7f97-fb69-4715-8a29-a76a768b4b1d.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/new-jersey-mat-chat-7328656/episodes/046-michael-barikian
Duration seconds: 3306

## Resource

This is one of the deepest wrestling conversations we’ve had yet. Kingsway head coach Mike Barikian joins New Jersey Mat Chat to talk about: • Growing up in South Jersey wrestling • Finishing 4th in the state • Wrestling at Navy • Leadership lessons from the Marine Corps • Building Kingsway into a powerhouse • Why culture matters more than talent • The REAL problems with NJ wrestling today Coach Barikian also gives one of the most honest breakdowns yet on: 🔥 PowerPoints 🔥 Public vs Private debate 🔥 Team states 🔥 Parenting in wrestling 🔥 Why some kids succeed… and others burn out This episode is packed with wisdom for wrestlers, coaches, and parents who truly love New Jersey wrestling. 🤼‍♂️ Kingsway Wrestling 🇺🇸 Navy Wrestling / Marine Corps Leadership 📍 South Jersey Wrestling ••Premier Sports Nutrition - Champion Athletes - https://champion-athletes.com 00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor Segment 01:25 – Meet Kingsway Coach Mike Barikian 01:39 – How He First Started Wrestling 02:01 – Growing Up at Sterling & Around Football 03:00 – Finishing 4th in the State 04:19 – Wrestling the Backside at States 04:59 – Football vs Wrestling in High School 05:20 – Choosing Wrestling Over Football 06:06 – Why Navy Was the Right Choice 06:55 – Entering the Naval Academy 07:34 – Coaching Staff Change & Early Struggles at Navy 08:36 – Inside a Division I Wrestling Room 09:13 – Military Discipline & Wrestling Mindset 10:09 – Marine Corps Leadership Lessons 11:45 – Returning to South Jersey & Real Estate 12:36 – Coaching at Navy Before Kingsway 13:46 – Taking Over Kingsway Wrestling 14:18 – Teaching Finance at Kingsway 15:15 – Difference Between D1 & High School Wrestling Rooms 16:18 – Building Kingsway’s Culture 17:05 – Winning a Sectional Title in Year One 18…

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## Transcript

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