While winning is fun, wrestling is so much more than just victory. It demands a complete change in lifestyle. You must stick to a strict healthy diet and understand that your body is in a constant state of growth and development. It is also important to let go of past losses and focus on outworking opponents.
However, mental strength does play an important role in wrestling.
I like to think of a quote taught to me at the Kaizen wrestling camp in North Idaho. I really took to heart a saying from Wrestling Hall of Famer- Coach Bruce Burnett. He once said, “Nothing positive will come from being negative, and nothing negative will come from being positive.” He also said “You can’t just say it, you gotta believe it.”
I took this to mean if you were to lose a match, you should watch film to see what you did wrong, and continually learn how to improve from match to match. The mentality that comes to mind when I think of these learning moments is the “Bison Mentality.” The story is that Bison and Cows are very similar as far as species. But, when cows encounter a storm, and the storm clouds come rolling over the mountains, those cows will herd up or run and they run away from the storm. When Bison react, they turn and go right into the storm, taking it head on. I want to be the Bison.
Discipline, dedication, determination, and mindset, represent four of the fundamental values that wrestling has instilled in me. These principles go beyond the boundaries of the wrestling mat and will lead to success in every part of my life.
No matter where life leads me, I will use the values and training wrestling has given me to achieve success. By maintaining physical discipline, remaining dedicated to my goals, and fostering a focused mindset, I am confident that I will reach my life's ambitions to go to college, to find a career, and to always follow my heart by doing what is right.
