Personal Statement
I can honestly say that wrestling has shaped me and my life more than anything else I have experienced. No matter what is going on or what has happened in my life it has always connected back to wrestling. This great sport has been in my life since I was five years old, teaching me discipline and showing me how to have a good work ethic from a very young age. As I moved on and got older I learned more and more from the sport, traits that I rely on everyday that separate me from everyone else. I remember getting judged a lot because other people just didn't understand the sport, this showed me how to be more resilient and not put too much emphasis on what other people thought. It taught me that no one knows your story and what you go through, when you're waking up at 5 in the morning to make weight, or when you're skimming meals to help your team. No one really understands the struggle until they have lived it. What I did realize though is that everyone has their own story and everyone has different struggles, teaching me never to judge.
Wrestling prepared me for everything that I have ever faced, the skills I have acquired from wrestling have got me through many challenges. One thing in particular was that it prepared me for school. What drove me is the realization that you get out what you put in. No matter what I am doing or what I am going though I should always give 100%. That is why I have always done pretty well with my grades in school. Inside of school there are many people that go through the same classes and challenges as me. So wrestling did not just help me with the academic side of school it also taught me some of the social skills as well. When you step out onto the mat in a wrestling match you are going head to head with a complete stranger. No matter who wins, I was always taught to shake hands with your opponent and the coach. This has taught me to respect the thoughts and feelings of the other human beings that have similar goals and aspirations.
Another strength I have attained from wrestling is mental toughness. When I am in a wrestling match it's not always about who the better wrestler is; there are many factors that can affect the outcome of a match. Mental toughness is a measure of a person's resilience and faith. When I go into a match I must use mental toughness to be confident but not cocky and when I am losing a match my mental toughness is my ability to keep fighting and not let the score get to me. Although the wrestling mat is not the only place where this strength comes into play. This skill can become useful at anytime whether it be when I'm stressed about something or things aren't going my way. As long as I can use my mental toughness to keep working hard and stay strong everything will turn out okay, whether it is on the mat or with life in general.
The sport of wrestling has most importantly taught me to be humble. Once you get good at something you should never let it get to your head. There are other people out there somewhere that work harder than you, that are better than you, and have more experience than you. I learned to never let my achievements get to my head and never to brag even if you have accomplished something special. Other people may recognize you for your hard work along your journey but you should never recognize yourself. You must always have confidence but you should never be arrogant. I learned to never belittle anyone or put others down.
I believe that wrestling has set me up for whatever challenges come my way. Everything I have learned from the sport is useful in my everyday life. This is why I believe that any school is a good fit for me because I will adapt and persevere no matter what situation I am put in. Wrestling has always been there for me, it has taught me many life lessons. I hope I can continue to wrestle or be involved with wrestling throughout my lifetime and embrace the lifestyle. Without it I don't know where I would be or what I would be doing but I know that I am blessed to have it. And as I continue to write my story I have learned to never give anyone else the pen.
