[Applause] hello hello alright
hello hello alright
hello hello alright six years ago I remember sitting in a
six years ago I remember sitting in a
six years ago I remember sitting in a car after a wrestling tournament in
car after a wrestling tournament in
car after a wrestling tournament in which I got eliminated the first two
which I got eliminated the first two
which I got eliminated the first two rounds this was the third time in a row
rounds this was the third time in a row
rounds this was the third time in a row that I went to a tournament and lost
that I went to a tournament and lost
that I went to a tournament and lost every single match I had been on the
every single match I had been on the
every single match I had been on the wrestling team for four years so you
wrestling team for four years so you
wrestling team for four years so you know I thought I would experience some
know I thought I would experience some
know I thought I would experience some success in competitions but now so there
success in competitions but now so there
success in competitions but now so there I was sitting in a car with my brother
I was sitting in a car with my brother
I was sitting in a car with my brother I was basically crying the entire ride
I was basically crying the entire ride
I was basically crying the entire ride home I thought about the time and effort
home I thought about the time and effort
home I thought about the time and effort I put into wrestling and how nothing was
I put into wrestling and how nothing was
I put into wrestling and how nothing was working out for me then I reflect on my
working out for me then I reflect on my
working out for me then I reflect on my other experiences with sports in
other experiences with sports in
other experiences with sports in football I played a total of 10 minutes
football I played a total of 10 minutes
football I played a total of 10 minutes the entire season that’s 10 minutes in
the entire season that’s 10 minutes in
the entire season that’s 10 minutes in seven or eight games I vividly remember
seven or eight games I vividly remember
seven or eight games I vividly remember our last game where our team was going
our last game where our team was going
our last game where our team was going crazy and celebrating the win while I
crazy and celebrating the win while I
crazy and celebrating the win while I walked to the car just sobbing because
walked to the car just sobbing because
walked to the car just sobbing because because the coach didn’t put me in at
because the coach didn’t put me in at
because the coach didn’t put me in at all that game in basketball
all that game in basketball
all that game in basketball I scored a total of zero points in
I scored a total of zero points in
I scored a total of zero points in baseball I batted last and was a second
baseball I batted last and was a second
baseball I batted last and was a second string right fielder
string right fielder
string right fielder I also remember our last game it was my
I also remember our last game it was my
I also remember our last game it was my final time at bat and I struck out to
final time at bat and I struck out to
final time at bat and I struck out to make my season and to make my season
make my season and to make my season
make my season and to make my season officially in all strikeout season just
officially in all strikeout season just
officially in all strikeout season just to make matters worse I was also a
to make matters worse I was also a
to make matters worse I was also a really shy kid in school and had
really shy kid in school and had
really shy kid in school and had academic reports and grades that that
academic reports and grades that that
academic reports and grades that that weren’t very good
weren’t very good
weren’t very good I even remember testing not proficient
I even remember testing not proficient
I even remember testing not proficient in English on the New York State ela
in English on the New York State ela
in English on the New York State ela exam back then so yeah you can imagine
exam back then so yeah you can imagine
exam back then so yeah you can imagine how much worse I felt how much worse I
how much worse I felt how much worse I
how much worse I felt how much worse I fell after all that reflecting I look at
fell after all that reflecting I look at
fell after all that reflecting I look at my brother who is sitting beside me at
my brother who is sitting beside me at
my brother who is sitting beside me at the time he recently took third in New
the time he recently took third in New
the time he recently took third in New York State and a bunch of great schools
York State and a bunch of great schools
York State and a bunch of great schools like Duke and Wesleyan were interested
like Duke and Wesleyan were interested
like Duke and Wesleyan were interested in him
in him
in him I started thinking things like why am I
I started thinking things like why am I
I started thinking things like why am I not naturally talented or naturally
not naturally talented or naturally
not naturally talented or naturally smart and was I just born without the
smart and was I just born without the
smart and was I just born without the right genetics to be successful at
right genetics to be successful at
right genetics to be successful at things Doucette anything good will
things Doucette anything good will
things Doucette anything good will happen in my life just flood in my mind
happen in my life just flood in my mind
happen in my life just flood in my mind so after I cried and after I reflected
so after I cried and after I reflected
so after I cried and after I reflected my brother finally broke the silence he
my brother finally broke the silence he
my brother finally broke the silence he told me it’s going to be okay
told me it’s going to be okay
told me it’s going to be okay it’s good to get a book kick that badly
it’s good to get a book kick that badly
it’s good to get a book kick that badly even if it happens
even if it happens
even if it happens we’re three tournaments in a row these
we’re three tournaments in a row these
we’re three tournaments in a row these hard defeats will come and when they do
hard defeats will come and when they do
hard defeats will come and when they do they’ll help you in the long run I had
they’ll help you in the long run I had
they’ll help you in the long run I had absolutely no idea what he meant
absolutely no idea what he meant
absolutely no idea what he meant how does losing help you succeed how
how does losing help you succeed how
how does losing help you succeed how does constantly getting beat up help you
does constantly getting beat up help you
does constantly getting beat up help you I thought about it it made no sense to
I thought about it it made no sense to
I thought about it it made no sense to me but I took it to heart because I
me but I took it to heart because I
me but I took it to heart because I trusted him after that car ride I didn’t
trusted him after that car ride I didn’t
trusted him after that car ride I didn’t know what to expect I just I enjoyed
know what to expect I just I enjoyed
know what to expect I just I enjoyed wrestling so I kept working at it and
wrestling so I kept working at it and
wrestling so I kept working at it and having fun over the next few months I
having fun over the next few months I
having fun over the next few months I learned to work hard I listen to the
learned to work hard I listen to the
learned to work hard I listen to the advice of my Edgemont and club coaches
advice of my Edgemont and club coaches
advice of my Edgemont and club coaches and I kept seeing gradual improvement
and I kept seeing gradual improvement
and I kept seeing gradual improvement and now just six years after that
and now just six years after that
and now just six years after that depressing car ride I’m a two-time I’ll
depressing car ride I’m a two-time I’ll
depressing car ride I’m a two-time I’ll say athlete a New York state champion
say athlete a New York state champion
say athlete a New York state champion I’ve won numerous rest of the Year
I’ve won numerous rest of the Year
I’ve won numerous rest of the Year awards and I became an all-american
awards and I became an all-american
awards and I became an all-american meaning that I placed top eight and
meaning that I placed top eight and
meaning that I placed top eight and Nationals in academics I have a 4.0
Nationals in academics I have a 4.0
Nationals in academics I have a 4.0 unweighted high school GPA had the
unweighted high school GPA had the
unweighted high school GPA had the highest grades in the school in numerous
highest grades in the school in numerous
highest grades in the school in numerous science and math classes and did well on
science and math classes and did well on
science and math classes and did well on my standardized tests I got recruited by
my standardized tests I got recruited by
my standardized tests I got recruited by basically every top-tier school that had
basically every top-tier school that had
basically every top-tier school that had wrestling and chose Harvard what I
wrestling and chose Harvard what I
wrestling and chose Harvard what I didn’t know back then was how much
didn’t know back then was how much
didn’t know back then was how much athletics would end up impacting my life
athletics would end up impacting my life
athletics would end up impacting my life I only thought it would teach me the
I only thought it would teach me the
I only thought it would teach me the value of hard work and maybe teamwork
value of hard work and maybe teamwork
value of hard work and maybe teamwork but oh I was so wrong so I list these
but oh I was so wrong so I list these
but oh I was so wrong so I list these accomplishments today and talk about my
accomplishments today and talk about my
accomplishments today and talk about my story not for me to brag about my
story not for me to brag about my
story not for me to brag about my achievements or to make you feel sorry
achievements or to make you feel sorry
achievements or to make you feel sorry for me when I was a child or anything
for me when I was a child or anything
for me when I was a child or anything now I’m here today to show you the
now I’m here today to show you the
now I’m here today to show you the impact that sports have had on every
impact that sports have had on every
impact that sports have had on every aspect of my life what the hopes that
aspect of my life what the hopes that
aspect of my life what the hopes that maybe you can take away something from
maybe you can take away something from
maybe you can take away something from my experiences the first theme that I
my experiences the first theme that I
my experiences the first theme that I will be talking about is the importance
will be talking about is the importance
will be talking about is the importance of gradual improvement I know this is
of gradual improvement I know this is
of gradual improvement I know this is something you’ve probably heard many
something you’ve probably heard many
something you’ve probably heard many many times before but just bear with me
many times before but just bear with me
many times before but just bear with me success is hugely dependent on the
success is hugely dependent on the
success is hugely dependent on the amount of hard work and time you put
amount of hard work and time you put
amount of hard work and time you put into it
into it
into it a big phrase that resonates with me is
a big phrase that resonates with me is
a big phrase that resonates with me is it’s not easy but it’s simple it may
it’s not easy but it’s simple it may
it’s not easy but it’s simple it may sound too straightforward to think that
sound too straightforward to think that
sound too straightforward to think that hard work leads to success and I lived
hard work leads to success and I lived
hard work leads to success and I lived under that impression my whole childhood
under that impression my whole childhood
under that impression my whole childhood I would always make excuses based on
I would always make excuses based on
I would always make excuses based on talent natural athletic ability and
talent natural athletic ability and
talent natural athletic ability and natural smarts my wrestling improved so
natural smarts my wrestling improved so
natural smarts my wrestling improved so much when I just ignored those things
much when I just ignored those things
much when I just ignored those things and started to dedicate myself as time
and started to dedicate myself as time
and started to dedicate myself as time went on I was beating people very
went on I was beating people very
went on I was beating people very talented people who I thought I would
talented people who I thought I would
talented people who I thought I would never be able to surpass singing those
never be able to surpass singing those
never be able to surpass singing those small incremental improvements just add
small incremental improvements just add
small incremental improvements just add up made me realize that
up made me realize that
up made me realize that so simple and that I’m in full control I
so simple and that I’m in full control I
so simple and that I’m in full control I learned this lesson of gradual
learned this lesson of gradual
learned this lesson of gradual improvement through wrestling but I feel
improvement through wrestling but I feel
improvement through wrestling but I feel like anyone can do it within a matter of
like anyone can do it within a matter of
like anyone can do it within a matter of weeks it starts with your body and
weeks it starts with your body and
weeks it starts with your body and physical fitness more than anything
physical fitness more than anything
physical fitness more than anything try getting your mile time down a minute
try getting your mile time down a minute
try getting your mile time down a minute or complete a half marathon or lose six
or complete a half marathon or lose six
or complete a half marathon or lose six pounds whatever it is just consistently
pounds whatever it is just consistently
pounds whatever it is just consistently work at it and you inevitably will be
work at it and you inevitably will be
work at it and you inevitably will be able to do it you’re going to realize
able to do it you’re going to realize
able to do it you’re going to realize that it doesn’t take natural athletic
that it doesn’t take natural athletic
that it doesn’t take natural athletic ability or anything like that if you
ability or anything like that if you
ability or anything like that if you apply this mindset to a bunch of things
apply this mindset to a bunch of things
apply this mindset to a bunch of things this amazing feeling of of confidence
this amazing feeling of of confidence
this amazing feeling of of confidence and control will explode into every
and control will explode into every
and control will explode into every aspect of your life another mindset
aspect of your life another mindset
aspect of your life another mindset shift that held me early on was to stop
shift that held me early on was to stop
shift that held me early on was to stop comparing myself to other people
comparing myself to other people
comparing myself to other people frequently in my career I encountered
frequently in my career I encountered
frequently in my career I encountered feelings of inadequacy and on the other
feelings of inadequacy and on the other
feelings of inadequacy and on the other side arrogance when I compared myself to
side arrogance when I compared myself to
side arrogance when I compared myself to people in the wrong way life is about
people in the wrong way life is about
people in the wrong way life is about striving for your personal best take a
striving for your personal best take a
striving for your personal best take a look at the slogan of my club wrestling
look at the slogan of my club wrestling
look at the slogan of my club wrestling team Iowa style wrestling we believe
team Iowa style wrestling we believe
team Iowa style wrestling we believe that individual is successful when he
that individual is successful when he
that individual is successful when he continually commits to close a gap
continually commits to close a gap
continually commits to close a gap between his performance and his
between his performance and his
between his performance and his potential and when he understands that
potential and when he understands that
potential and when he understands that such a commitment represents a way of
such a commitment represents a way of
such a commitment represents a way of life not merely a means to an end
life not merely a means to an end
life not merely a means to an end on that note I genuinely take the most
on that note I genuinely take the most
on that note I genuinely take the most pride not in the accolades themselves
pride not in the accolades themselves
pride not in the accolades themselves particularly but the almost disbelief
particularly but the almost disbelief
particularly but the almost disbelief that I have looking back to where I was
that I have looking back to where I was
that I have looking back to where I was in elementary and middle school compared
in elementary and middle school compared
in elementary and middle school compared to now everybody starts somewhere and
to now everybody starts somewhere and
to now everybody starts somewhere and complaining about how other people are
complaining about how other people are
complaining about how other people are better than you will just make you feel
better than you will just make you feel
better than you will just make you feel inadequate for no good reason and that’s
inadequate for no good reason and that’s
inadequate for no good reason and that’s why you don’t have to be an Olympic gold
why you don’t have to be an Olympic gold
why you don’t have to be an Olympic gold medalist or score perfect on every test
medalist or score perfect on every test
medalist or score perfect on every test to be happy you set your own goals and
to be happy you set your own goals and
to be happy you set your own goals and gradually work towards them over time
gradually work towards them over time
gradually work towards them over time you’ll see these incremental
you’ll see these incremental
you’ll see these incremental improvements just pile up and those
improvements just pile up and those
improvements just pile up and those impossibilities that you hold in your
impossibilities that you hold in your
impossibilities that you hold in your mind before will be completely in reach
mind before will be completely in reach
mind before will be completely in reach it’s your job to keep pushing the limits
it’s your job to keep pushing the limits
it’s your job to keep pushing the limits for what you believe is possible for
for what you believe is possible for
for what you believe is possible for yourself
yourself
yourself and that’s all that matters so there are
and that’s all that matters so there are
and that’s all that matters so there are two points to remember from this team
two points to remember from this team
two points to remember from this team one success is so simple and two don’t
one success is so simple and two don’t
one success is so simple and two don’t feel inadequate and be the best that you
feel inadequate and be the best that you
feel inadequate and be the best that you can be the second theme that I will be
can be the second theme that I will be
can be the second theme that I will be talking about is having fun ever since
talking about is having fun ever since
talking about is having fun ever since eighth grade to mid junior year I held
eighth grade to mid junior year I held
eighth grade to mid junior year I held this false belief that success was
this false belief that success was
this false belief that success was constantly about being in the zone while
constantly about being in the zone while
constantly about being in the zone while not really focusing on enjoyment I’m not
not really focusing on enjoyment I’m not
not really focusing on enjoyment I’m not kidding when I say that I barely spoke
kidding when I say that I barely spoke
kidding when I say that I barely spoke or
or
or my love my entire sophomore year whether
my love my entire sophomore year whether
my love my entire sophomore year whether it be in school or in a cadet or in
it be in school or in a cadet or in
it be in school or in a cadet or in wrestling just because I was always
wrestling just because I was always
wrestling just because I was always serious as a result of being in this
serious as a result of being in this
serious as a result of being in this mood day in and day out I performed a
mood day in and day out I performed a
mood day in and day out I performed a lot below my potential and even
lot below my potential and even
lot below my potential and even considered quitting after that year just
considered quitting after that year just
considered quitting after that year just because I was having a terrible time
because I was having a terrible time
because I was having a terrible time when junior year started and as it went
when junior year started and as it went
when junior year started and as it went on I realized that the more I enjoyed
on I realized that the more I enjoyed
on I realized that the more I enjoyed being at practice the way more I
being at practice the way more I
being at practice the way more I improved I learned to get excited for
improved I learned to get excited for
improved I learned to get excited for practice joke around change things up as
practice joke around change things up as
practice joke around change things up as much as I could and live in the moment
much as I could and live in the moment
much as I could and live in the moment all while improving and being focused
all while improving and being focused
all while improving and being focused even in things like conditioning you
even in things like conditioning you
even in things like conditioning you know I just keep a smile on my face and
know I just keep a smile on my face and
know I just keep a smile on my face and have fun knowing that I’m pushing myself
have fun knowing that I’m pushing myself
have fun knowing that I’m pushing myself to the limit when you want to be
to the limit when you want to be
to the limit when you want to be somewhere you’re going to take so much
somewhere you’re going to take so much
somewhere you’re going to take so much more out of it this same mindset carried
more out of it this same mindset carried
more out of it this same mindset carried over for competitions before this shift
over for competitions before this shift
over for competitions before this shift in mentality I will get insanely nervous
in mentality I will get insanely nervous
in mentality I will get insanely nervous and stressed out before a match you
and stressed out before a match you
and stressed out before a match you could probably relate to this feeling
could probably relate to this feeling
could probably relate to this feeling when your body and mind go completely
when your body and mind go completely
when your body and mind go completely numb before you even step out to compete
numb before you even step out to compete
numb before you even step out to compete take a test or whatever it is
take a test or whatever it is
take a test or whatever it is after this mindset shift I didn’t get
after this mindset shift I didn’t get
after this mindset shift I didn’t get nervous at all I learned to just go out
nervous at all I learned to just go out
nervous at all I learned to just go out there and compete with a clear mind live
there and compete with a clear mind live
there and compete with a clear mind live in the moment and just have fun
in the moment and just have fun
in the moment and just have fun there’s no point stressing out because
there’s no point stressing out because
there’s no point stressing out because all you’re doing in a competition is
all you’re doing in a competition is
all you’re doing in a competition is exactly what you practiced my results in
exactly what you practiced my results in
exactly what you practiced my results in the sport escalated so quickly after
the sport escalated so quickly after
the sport escalated so quickly after this mindset shift so you may be asking
this mindset shift so you may be asking
this mindset shift so you may be asking why is this all relevant because I
why is this all relevant because I
why is this all relevant because I applied this mindset there’s so many
applied this mindset there’s so many
applied this mindset there’s so many other things from taking tests to public
other things from taking tests to public
other things from taking tests to public speaking to being more confident
speaking to being more confident
speaking to being more confident whatever it is for example my attitude
whatever it is for example my attitude
whatever it is for example my attitude towards taking a test
towards taking a test
towards taking a test I used to freak out before one now I
I used to freak out before one now I
I used to freak out before one now I joke around before a huge exam and I go
joke around before a huge exam and I go
joke around before a huge exam and I go into every test saying that I’ve studied
into every test saying that I’ve studied
into every test saying that I’ve studied the material so I’ll just keep calm and
the material so I’ll just keep calm and
the material so I’ll just keep calm and enjoy even something as big as public
enjoy even something as big as public
enjoy even something as big as public speaking what I’m doing
speaking what I’m doing
speaking what I’m doing right now most people get insanely
right now most people get insanely
right now most people get insanely nervous before something like this but
nervous before something like this but
nervous before something like this but right now I’m not nervous because I tell
right now I’m not nervous because I tell
right now I’m not nervous because I tell myself that I prepared a ton for this
myself that I prepared a ton for this
myself that I prepared a ton for this talk and right now I’m living in the
talk and right now I’m living in the
talk and right now I’m living in the moment and having a good time if you
moment and having a good time if you
moment and having a good time if you implement this attitude to all those big
implement this attitude to all those big
implement this attitude to all those big events that you have in your life you’ll
events that you have in your life you’ll
events that you have in your life you’ll perform so much better and it’ll just
perform so much better and it’ll just
perform so much better and it’ll just feel great so on to my second point
feel great so on to my second point
feel great so on to my second point about having fun the attitudes that I
about having fun the attitudes that I
about having fun the attitudes that I described above work so much better if
described above work so much better if
described above work so much better if you are doing something that you
you are doing something that you
you are doing something that you genuinely enjoy
genuinely enjoy
genuinely enjoy by doing day in and day out if you
by doing day in and day out if you
by doing day in and day out if you aren’t excited at least 80% of the time
aren’t excited at least 80% of the time
aren’t excited at least 80% of the time to go to class or go to practice then
to go to class or go to practice then
to go to class or go to practice then you’re probably in the wrong activity or
you’re probably in the wrong activity or
you’re probably in the wrong activity or you have the wrong mindset I’m excited
you have the wrong mindset I’m excited
you have the wrong mindset I’m excited to go to practice every day even if I
to go to practice every day even if I
to go to practice every day even if I just take two days off of wrestling I
just take two days off of wrestling I
just take two days off of wrestling I actually start to miss it and my body
actually start to miss it and my body
actually start to miss it and my body like almost tells my mind that it wants
like almost tells my mind that it wants
like almost tells my mind that it wants to go wrestle furthermore my best
to go wrestle furthermore my best
to go wrestle furthermore my best accolades by far came after I got into
accolades by far came after I got into
accolades by far came after I got into college showing that I didn’t wrestle to
college showing that I didn’t wrestle to
college showing that I didn’t wrestle to be accepted into a good university or
be accepted into a good university or
be accepted into a good university or anything like that no I did it because I
anything like that no I did it because I
anything like that no I did it because I genuinely loved doing it in school I’m
genuinely loved doing it in school I’m
genuinely loved doing it in school I’m never dreading the weekdays or only
never dreading the weekdays or only
never dreading the weekdays or only looking forward to that time when the
looking forward to that time when the
looking forward to that time when the clock hits 3:00 p.m. on a Friday no I’m
clock hits 3:00 p.m. on a Friday no I’m
clock hits 3:00 p.m. on a Friday no I’m that weird guy who says that he likes
that weird guy who says that he likes
that weird guy who says that he likes all his classes and enjoys being there
all his classes and enjoys being there
all his classes and enjoys being there my friends who will do the best in
my friends who will do the best in
my friends who will do the best in school say they they enjoy being there
school say they they enjoy being there
school say they they enjoy being there and enjoy improving and cultivating
and enjoy improving and cultivating
and enjoy improving and cultivating their minds so to sum it up for this
their minds so to sum it up for this
their minds so to sum it up for this theme when you’re in a big event
theme when you’re in a big event
theme when you’re in a big event don’t be nervous and just live in the
don’t be nervous and just live in the
don’t be nervous and just live in the moment tell yourself that you’re doing
moment tell yourself that you’re doing
moment tell yourself that you’re doing exactly what you studied or practice for
exactly what you studied or practice for
exactly what you studied or practice for there’s no need to stress out and to
there’s no need to stress out and to
there’s no need to stress out and to find and do the things that you can’t
find and do the things that you can’t
find and do the things that you can’t live without every day and every
live without every day and every
live without every day and every activity should be exciting
my final theme is about perseverance no
my final theme is about perseverance no matter how much fun you have doing your
matter how much fun you have doing your
matter how much fun you have doing your sport or activity to get to the highest
sport or activity to get to the highest
sport or activity to get to the highest level that will probably be times when
level that will probably be times when
level that will probably be times when you feel awful and feel like you just
you feel awful and feel like you just
you feel awful and feel like you just want to throw it all away for me this
want to throw it all away for me this
want to throw it all away for me this was the end of sophomore year all season
was the end of sophomore year all season
was the end of sophomore year all season long I’d kept the goal of Allstate front
long I’d kept the goal of Allstate front
long I’d kept the goal of Allstate front and center in my mind and work L&C
and center in my mind and work L&C
and center in my mind and work L&C towards it States finally came and in my
towards it States finally came and in my
towards it States finally came and in my first match we went into overtime
first match we went into overtime
first match we went into overtime we were both extremely exhausted but I
we were both extremely exhausted but I
we were both extremely exhausted but I pushed through the pain and scored a
pushed through the pain and scored a
pushed through the pain and scored a point but what happened next would end
point but what happened next would end
point but what happened next would end up haunting me for a long time
up haunting me for a long time
up haunting me for a long time with just four seconds left my opponent
with just four seconds left my opponent
with just four seconds left my opponent scored a reversal which is two points
scored a reversal which is two points
scored a reversal which is two points and won the match I still vividly
and won the match I still vividly
and won the match I still vividly remember that final buzzer going off and
remember that final buzzer going off and
remember that final buzzer going off and that feeling of pain and pure sadness
that feeling of pain and pure sadness
that feeling of pain and pure sadness that accompanied it however I still had
that accompanied it however I still had
that accompanied it however I still had the courage to fight back after that I
the courage to fight back after that I
the courage to fight back after that I won a few matches and then I found
won a few matches and then I found
won a few matches and then I found myself in the blood round where if you
myself in the blood round where if you
myself in the blood round where if you win you get Allstate if you
win you get Allstate if you
win you get Allstate if you lose your out the match went into the
lose your out the match went into the
lose your out the match went into the final period tied and in the last 30
final period tied and in the last 30
final period tied and in the last 30 seconds
seconds
seconds my opponents scored two points due to a
my opponents scored two points due to a
my opponents scored two points due to a stupid mistake that I made and I lost I
stupid mistake that I made and I lost I
stupid mistake that I made and I lost I just laid there on the mat hands in my
just laid there on the mat hands in my
just laid there on the mat hands in my face just devastated two people who I
face just devastated two people who I
face just devastated two people who I was completely capable of beating got
was completely capable of beating got
was completely capable of beating got Allstate and I didn’t and then just to
Allstate and I didn’t and then just to
Allstate and I didn’t and then just to make it all fall down about three weeks
make it all fall down about three weeks
make it all fall down about three weeks after at sophomore nationals I was two
after at sophomore nationals I was two
after at sophomore nationals I was two matches away from being an all-american
matches away from being an all-american
matches away from being an all-american and then yet again I lost an extremely
and then yet again I lost an extremely
and then yet again I lost an extremely close match the immense weight of these
close match the immense weight of these
close match the immense weight of these of these three losses just completely
of these three losses just completely
of these three losses just completely broke me just thinking about all the
broke me just thinking about all the
broke me just thinking about all the time and effort I put into wrestling and
time and effort I put into wrestling and
time and effort I put into wrestling and coming so close to reaching every single
coming so close to reaching every single
coming so close to reaching every single one of my goals and then ultimately
one of my goals and then ultimately
one of my goals and then ultimately failing made me lose myself I cried for
failing made me lose myself I cried for
failing made me lose myself I cried for an hour every night for a week after
an hour every night for a week after
an hour every night for a week after Nationals so yeah this was my rock
Nationals so yeah this was my rock
Nationals so yeah this was my rock bottom what felt like an eternity went
bottom what felt like an eternity went
bottom what felt like an eternity went by before I recovered something that
by before I recovered something that
by before I recovered something that really helped me a lot was reflecting
really helped me a lot was reflecting
really helped me a lot was reflecting back to that car ride back in sixth
back to that car ride back in sixth
back to that car ride back in sixth grade and st. and seeing how I overcame
grade and st. and seeing how I overcame
grade and st. and seeing how I overcame that obstacle of hopelessness of my life
that obstacle of hopelessness of my life
that obstacle of hopelessness of my life I started to read about a ton of success
I started to read about a ton of success
I started to read about a ton of success stories and eventually I realized that
stories and eventually I realized that
stories and eventually I realized that success that everybody experiences a lot
success that everybody experiences a lot
success that everybody experiences a lot of failure but the difference that
of failure but the difference that
of failure but the difference that determines success lies in whether we
determines success lies in whether we
determines success lies in whether we constantly get up and keep going or not
constantly get up and keep going or not
constantly get up and keep going or not this quote from Rocky Balboa really put
this quote from Rocky Balboa really put
this quote from Rocky Balboa really put it clear to me life isn’t about how hard
it clear to me life isn’t about how hard
it clear to me life isn’t about how hard you hit it’s about how hard you can get
you hit it’s about how hard you can get
you hit it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward how much you
hit and keep moving forward how much you
hit and keep moving forward how much you can take and keep moving forward that’s
can take and keep moving forward that’s
can take and keep moving forward that’s how winning is done
how winning is done
how winning is done those events that states and Nationals
those events that states and Nationals
those events that states and Nationals in my experience afterwards engrained in
in my experience afterwards engrained in
in my experience afterwards engrained in me an attitude of perseverance that was
me an attitude of perseverance that was
me an attitude of perseverance that was crucial to later successes because
crucial to later successes because
crucial to later successes because contrary to popular belief it wasn’t a
contrary to popular belief it wasn’t a
contrary to popular belief it wasn’t a straight upwards path after that I
straight upwards path after that I
straight upwards path after that I suffered much more devastating defeats
suffered much more devastating defeats
suffered much more devastating defeats in academics and in mathletics junior
in academics and in mathletics junior
in academics and in mathletics junior year my club coach Ron deagle even said
year my club coach Ron deagle even said
year my club coach Ron deagle even said to me you are the person who failed the
to me you are the person who failed the
to me you are the person who failed the most and failed the most painfully but
most and failed the most painfully but
most and failed the most painfully but constantly persisted to become one of
constantly persisted to become one of
constantly persisted to become one of the best so my point is don’t do what I
the best so my point is don’t do what I
the best so my point is don’t do what I did sophomore year and
did sophomore year and
did sophomore year and become depressed after facing a lot of
become depressed after facing a lot of
become depressed after facing a lot of hard losses learn to stop worrying about
hard losses learn to stop worrying about
hard losses learn to stop worrying about losing and every time it happens get up
losing and every time it happens get up
losing and every time it happens get up don’t be upset and continue enjoying
don’t be upset and continue enjoying
don’t be upset and continue enjoying yourself after this attitude of
yourself after this attitude of
yourself after this attitude of perseverance got engrained in my head I
perseverance got engrained in my head I
perseverance got engrained in my head I would always tell myself that if I tried
would always tell myself that if I tried
would always tell myself that if I tried my hardest and lost it doesn’t matter at
my hardest and lost it doesn’t matter at
my hardest and lost it doesn’t matter at all because I did everything I could you
all because I did everything I could you
all because I did everything I could you take pride in that fight and you’ll just
take pride in that fight and you’ll just
take pride in that fight and you’ll just shrug off that loss and continue
shrug off that loss and continue
shrug off that loss and continue improving and having fun so you will
improving and having fun so you will
improving and having fun so you will feel that rock bottom at times but just
feel that rock bottom at times but just
feel that rock bottom at times but just but just realize that everybody feels a
but just realize that everybody feels a
but just realize that everybody feels a lot and that you aren’t unlucky or
lot and that you aren’t unlucky or
lot and that you aren’t unlucky or anything every time you fail learn from
anything every time you fail learn from
anything every time you fail learn from your mistakes get up and continue
your mistakes get up and continue
your mistakes get up and continue enjoying yourself to finish up here the
enjoying yourself to finish up here the
enjoying yourself to finish up here the three themes of gradual improvement
three themes of gradual improvement
three themes of gradual improvement having fun and perseverance highlight
having fun and perseverance highlight
having fun and perseverance highlight the crucial lessons that I’ve learned
the crucial lessons that I’ve learned
the crucial lessons that I’ve learned from wrestling find the work and
from wrestling find the work and
from wrestling find the work and activities that you can’t live without
activities that you can’t live without
activities that you can’t live without everyday in every activity should be
everyday in every activity should be
everyday in every activity should be exciting and when you’re doing those
exciting and when you’re doing those
exciting and when you’re doing those things realize that success is so simple
things realize that success is so simple
things realize that success is so simple and that it just takes time and effort
and that it just takes time and effort
and that it just takes time and effort keep up that constant improvement and
keep up that constant improvement and
keep up that constant improvement and continually throw away those
continually throw away those
continually throw away those impossibilities that you hold in your
impossibilities that you hold in your
impossibilities that you hold in your mind but realize that failure will
mind but realize that failure will
mind but realize that failure will happen a lot but the difference that
happen a lot but the difference that
happen a lot but the difference that determines success lies in whether we
determines success lies in whether we
determines success lies in whether we constantly get up and keep going
constantly get up and keep going
constantly get up and keep going or not furthermore when you’re in the
or not furthermore when you’re in the
or not furthermore when you’re in the big event just take away the stress and
big event just take away the stress and
big event just take away the stress and live in the moment there’s no need to be
live in the moment there’s no need to be
live in the moment there’s no need to be nervous and finally have fun and make
nervous and finally have fun and make
nervous and finally have fun and make every day exciting thank you all very
every day exciting thank you all very
every day exciting thank you all very much
much
much [Applause]
”
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