Alright so I know that's gotta be one of the cheesier blog titles I've used, but this month I think it fits perfectly. As far as striving to become a champion in sport and in life is concerned it means everything. There is no way, now how you will get very far in anything you do in life unless you truly love doing it.
I thank heaven above that I was able to find wrestling early
on in my life. I love wrestling and grappling. Just for the record I call
everything that I do as an athlete ‘wrestling’, even if it’s actually grappling,
BJJ or Judo. I can't help it. If it’s got grappling in it I'm trying it! My wife
often calls wrestling the 'other woman' because I love it so much. I'm
constantly studying, training and thinking about wrestling.
Early in my marriage when my wife asked "What are you thinking
about?" when I got a blank far off look on my face I would always say
“Wrestling”. That didn’t go over too well when I was a newly-wed. Now after
almost ten years of marriage she already knows but she still asks just out of
curiosity. I think she wants to know which cool new move I’m working on or which
new strategy I’m developing. It’s great to have her love and support for me in
my athletic goals.
We’ve learned over the years that I don’t just love wrestling
but I NEED to wrestle/grapple on a regular basis if I hope to keep my sanity. I
love the combat, challenge and the struggle that the grappling arts present. I
also love the constant need for learning and development that goes along with
it. There is so much satisfaction in solving the puzzle of your own inner self
and your opponent through hard work, sacrifice, technique and strategy. There
are few things in life that are more intriguing to me.
At this point in your own grappling pursuits maybe you are
still trying to figure out where you fit in or how your training fits into your
life. I encourage you to find your favorite things about your grappling and
write them down. When difficulties come in your training or when you’ve lost a
match that you really wanted to win you will have those things to go back to.
Without a doubt the greatest champions in any sport are the ones that love it
the most. At some point they seem to find their identity as both people and
competitors and they no longer compete for medals or placings but against the
sport itself.
It’s not always about winning and losing but the love of the
game. If you stay close to what it is that you love about grappling you will
always be able to get through the hard times and enjoy the struggle.