Wrestling is years of pain for moments of glory. Throughout my career, as days turned into weeks, weeks yielded to months, and months morphed to years, the things that remained constant throughout the chaos of life were my goals. There were many chances to turn back and give up with all of the pain, roadblocks, misfortunes, and bad luck. I could have been content with what I had accomplished before winning nationals. But, I never settled, and neither should you. Do what you set out to do and get what you set out to get. Desire and perseverance separate the great from the best, the champions from the rest. If I did not win nationals, I would not have been able to say it was because of anything I had neglected to do. I am almost as proud of that as I am of winning. The easy way out was never a path I followed. I challenge you not to either.
In the weeks that followed Cedar Rapids, the best compliment I heard was “well deserved.” Almost everyone who congratulated me attached those two words. My friend, Colin, pointed it out one day and added, “That must be a good feeling.” He was right.
On the other hand, deserving and doing are not interchangeable terms. I once thought, five years earlier, that I “deserved” a New Jersey state title. That notion proved meaningless. Therefore what I “deserved” during college never entered my mind. What matters is how you perform when the pressure is on. Dedication and hard work will put you in the best possible position to win, but ultimately, it is how you perform during the championship rounds that count. Saying or thinking, “I deserve this or that…,” will only make you feel sorry for yourself, possibly angry, bitter, and cheated out of something if you do fall short. What you should do is everything in your power to accomplish your goal, and you will not feel slighted, regardless of the outcome.
There are no shortcuts in this sport. If there is only one thing you get out of this book, let it be this -- your hard work will pay off. I promise you that. It just may not be when, what, or how you thought.
One of the best goals you can have is for your ambition to exceed your talent. Take yourself further than your natural ability allows. Think about what scenario you would be more proud of: If you were born the most gifted wrestler in the country, worked out as the average person, and rode your talent to a national championship. Or, you were born with average talent, trained harder and smarter than any person you ever met, and then, propelled by your work ethic, won that same national title.
The first option is too easy, and life is never easy. The second scenario is my story, and the long, arduous journey made the conclusion even more satisfying. Now you have to find your place at the top of the podium. It may not be a wrestling championship, it may not even be in sports, but I guess you will get there because of the principles you learned as a wrestler.
I have come a long way from the backup wrestler I once was in high school. I wish you my kind of success, on the mat and off it. Now, go after your dreams and understand that you are the driving force of your destiny. Through wrestling, there are many paths to greatness. You may have to cut down the trees, pave the road, and then sprint toward your goal. Your way might not be well-traveled, but that is what makes it interesting, rewarding, and fulfilling. Enjoy your journey.