What Elite Athletes Say About The Importance of Wrestling
This morning I leaned into my computer with my eyes wide as I began reading an article about what wrestling has taught elite athletes. USA Wrestling blog writer Matt Krumrie pulled together a timeless piece titled Life Lessons Learned Through Wrestling that speaks for itself.
As a former wrestler, the son of a wrestler, and the father of two young wrestlers, I know these lessons first hand. Nevertheless, reading elite athletes articulate their experience learning from the oldest and greatest sport still sends chills down my spine.
So what do these elite athletes have to say about the importance of wrestling?
Paraphrasing a few words from each of the athletes that Krumrie covered, it comes down to discipline, sacrifice, and resilience.
In short, wrestling is important because it teaches 7 lessons:
- In order to reach your goals you have to be extremely disciplined – Emily Shilson
- Courage is the key to success – Matt Lindland
- You have to give everything you have to gain everything you want. – J’den Cox
- The ability to bounce back and overcome defeat captures the true sense of how to reach your fullest potential. – Greg Jones
- You must follow a systematic plan to reach your goals – Eric Aiken
- You must take care of the little details so that your dreams and vision can come to life – Kyven Gadson
- When you’re knocked down you have to get back up and find your passion – Alli Ragan