Part 2: Resilience and Perseverance - The Power of Bouncing Back

Wrestling is a tough sport that can be unpredictable. Even with the best training and preparation, matches can take unexpected turns. Sometimes you work for weeks or months, and it all can end quickly. How disheartening is that feeling? That's where resilience and perseverance come in. As a coach, I've learned that you better be able to pick yourself up after a tough loss. If you can’t do that this sport will chew you up and take a toll on your mental well being. Being able to shrug off a tough loss is so important. Remember, nobody wins them all.

As Mike Tyson famously said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." In wrestling, no matter how well you prepare, there will always be unexpected challenges that require you to dig deep and push through. Eventually if you wrestle enough you’re gonna get caught. That's where resilience and perseverance come in. Learning to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward can help athletes overcome challenges in all areas of their lives, from school and work to personal relationships.

But resilience and perseverance don't just come from individual effort. The environment in which an athlete trains and competes can play a big role in their ability to bounce back and push through challenges. Having a supportive and nurturing environment, with coaches and teammates who encourage and motivate each other, can make all the difference in a wrestler's ability to bounce back from setbacks and push through challenges. Believe it or not, I see a lot of rooms that do not have this. You can usually tell what kind of environment it is just by talking to their coach for a minute. If he/she starts off with excuses or focused on “why Billy is losing” or “those guys win because”, you’ll know its not a great place to be.

So, parents, if your child is a young wrestler, remember that resilience and perseverance are valuable skills that can help them succeed both on and off the mat. Encourage them to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity. Put them in a room that will encourage them to grow. And help create a positive and supportive environment where they can learn and grow, even when things get tough.