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Wrestling Mindset

NCAAs Never Get Easier

Wrestling Mindset founders Gene and Jeff Zannetti recap the 2023 NCAA Championships.


Topics include:


- Should Spencer Lee have wrestled back?


- It doesn't get easier- Lee, Yianni, Fix, RBY


- How did Vito and Starocci dominate?


- Aaron Brooks perspective


- Wrestlers in Business network social


- Mindset Training an "Imperative" with Poway and Coach John Meyers

More episodes

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  • Building a Hangout, Not a Factory | Jeremiah Webber

    17:42|
    Gene Zannetti talks with Ohio club coach Jeremiah Webber about why wrestling pulled Jeremiah out of a tough upbringing and led him through the Marine Corps into a coaching calling, building one of the first freestyle and Greco clubs in central Ohio from scratch into a pipeline that has sent over 25 athletes to international teams, why he prioritizes a family hangout culture over a grinding factory atmosphere, the rise of social media and instant visibility creating new mental pressure for young wrestlers competing for recruiting attention, and the case for why every wrestler needs comfort in Greco and freestyle since both expose technical flaws that folkstyle can hide.Timestamps:2:06 - Chase was always gifted but became defensive and calculating to protect wins4:18 - Wrestling kept Jeremiah on the straight and narrow growing up, leading him to the Marine Corps5:08 - Wrestling really changed his life and felt like a calling into coaching6:20 - Built one of the only freestyle and Greco clubs in central Ohio from scratch7:41 - Club culture built on gratitude and being a hangout, not a grinding factory10:03 - Social media and instant visibility create new mental pressure 12:56 - Club has produced 25+ international Team USA spots 15:34 - Why Valentin Kalika says Greco to freestyle is an easier transition than the reverse🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • NC State Champ Jacob Hudgins | Wrestling Mindset Success Story

    12:19|
    Gene Zannetti talks with North Carolina state champion Jacob Hudgins about two confusing midseason losses that pushed him to start mindset training just weeks before states, how playing it too safe and trying to protect an undefeated record actually cost him those matches, how staying calm while sensing his opponents were uptight gave him a clear edge at the state tournament, and his decision to continue wrestling at Lander University.Timestamps:1:29 - Started the season undefeated, then lost two matches that blew his mind2:30 - Realized late in the season he needed mindset training before states3:29 - Playing it too safe to protect an undefeated record cost him those losses4:09 - The tools that helped: a consistent routine, chewing gum, and a cross on his shoe6:19 - State tournament: staying calm and relaxed while noticing opponents were uptight7:50 - Committing to continue wrestling in college at Lander University9:23 - Working with his mindset coach to fix getting tired in third periods10:56 - Extra conditioning work: getting his mile under six minutes and two and a half extra hours a week🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • Father First, Coach Second | Bill Bassett

    25:25|
    Gene Zannetti talks with head coach and legendary wrestling dad Bill Bassett about why a relationship with your sons always has to come before results, how not every parent is built to coach their own kid in the corner even if they're a great coach for someone else, the importance of a wrestling mom who is fully bought in like his wife Carissa, and why some of the greatest wrestlers came from parents who were all in while some great ex-wrestlers have struggled to separate the coach-athlete relationship from the father-son one.Timestamps:1:59 - Jason Nolf sparked the idea for the Oceans series3:57 - Jordan Burroughs picks Bill's brain at Fargo and NCA's5:39 - Topics covered on how to be a wrestling dad7:50 - Relationship with his sons always came first over results12:49 - Carissa is fully bought in and lets the boys and Bill do their thing17:40 - No parent has ever set out to hurt their kid20:33 - Being dad at the dinner table and coach in the room, you have to switch hats22:15 - The greatest wrestlers had all-in parents🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • Ken Chertow shares his wisdom and experience

    37:12|
    Gene Zannetti talks with legendary Olympian and camp director Ken Chertow about how he developed his mindset as an athlete through persistence and hard work despite not being a naturally gifted kid, what the biggest mental hurdles are for college wrestlers, why evaluating matches on process rather than outcome is what separates good from great, and how the Latin root of confidence, to trust, means you have to actually put the work in to have something to trust.Timestamps:1:33 - How Ken developed his mindset3:13 - Intensity and calm focus need to coexist9:50 - Joey Kangaroo: plugging away since sixth grade, now Harvard wrestling captain16:51 - Biggest mental challenge for wrestlers: self-confidence and believing in yourself20:25 - Wrestle the man's body not his name, Nate Carr's advice that still holds up29:39 - Evaluate matches on process not outcome: did you make the first attack, did you hustle back🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • NB State Champ JT Smith - Wrestling Mindset Success Story

    17:21|
    Gene Zannetti talks with Nebraska state champion JT Smith about starting with Wrestling Mindset in eighth grade to fix a confidence problem that was holding him back despite having the technique and athleticism to beat top-level guys, how shifting from a prey mindset to a predator mindset unlocked his aggression on the mat, pinning his first two state tournament opponents in a combined 35 seconds, and his goals of graduating from West Point and making a U20 Greco or freestyle national team.Timestamps:1:41 - Started with Wrestling Mindset with a confidence problem2:54 - The prey mindset: going in timid, not ready to attack or score3:18 - Feels ready at 100% almost every time he steps on the mat5:23 - Got sick mid-season, had to come back and rebuild conditioning6:23 - Teched everyone at districts, pinned first two state opponents in under 50 seconds combined8:36 - Two best friends lost in the state finals right before his match10:11 - Took an injury timeout in the finals, refocused, and pulled away to win 11 to 214:52 - Going to West Point, wants to be an All-American and make a U20 national team🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • Jordan Burroughs: Parenting By Example

    01:16:56|
    What does it actually take to sustain excellence for over a decade at the highest level of sport — and still feel fulfilled?Gene Zannetti sits down with 6x World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs for one of the most honest conversations in wrestling. Jordan opens up about his career journey, building a culture as a parent and coach, how faith became the missing piece in his pursuit of greatness, and why the key to raising champions starts long before they ever step on a mat.Wrestling Mindset is proud to partner with Jordan's All I See Is Gold Academy — a shared mission to develop wrestlers who win on the mat and lead with character off it. This conversation is the heart of that partnership.This episode is essential listening for every wrestling parent, coach, and athlete who wants to win the right way — with character, integrity, and purpose.Timestamps:2:22 - Youth wrestling assessment3:01 - What NOT to do as a wrestling parent5:38 - Building virtue and character first11:21 - Is winning always worth it? Olympic and World Championship ceremony15:51 - Are you growing as a parent?19:01 - Leadership and Communication23:47 - 4 Mindset Principles26:49 - Building a Winning Culture in the Wrestling Room34:11 - Pursuing true greatness after 1st world title37:26 - Dremiel Byers lesson41:20 - Learning from his peers Coleman Scott and Tervel Dlagnev45:01 - Bo Bassett pace47:45 - Jason Wilson parenting lesson51:14 - Why Jordan is NOT retired52:08 - Competing and training with a large family55:59 - Honoring your family name57:11 - Joe DeSena lesson work-life integration58:33 - Wrestling as a family sport1:05:14 - Leading USA wrestling1:09:27 - What it's like as a Professional Athlete1:11:48 - How to Navigate Fear1:12:42 - Tervel Dlagnev message before World Championship🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • TN State Champ Reed Loeffel - Wrestling Mindset Success Story

    16:32|
    Gene Zannetti talks with Tennessee state champion Reed Loeffel about winning his first state title as a senior after joining Wrestling Mindset just two to three months before the tournament, how staying present and surrendering the outcome were the two biggest tools that kept him from choking on the biggest stage, pinning a two-time state champion in the finals who had beaten him twice during the season, and why even wrestlers who don't think they have a mindset problem can benefit from just having someone to talk to.Timestamps:2:30 - Joining Wrestling Mindset two to three months before states3:02 - Staying present and not thinking ahead 3:43 - Surrendering the outcome, learning how to actually apply it4:02 - Even without a big problem, just talking to someone about mindset makes a huge difference6:44 - Wrestling completely free after the comeback7:27 - Finals day: staying present through eight to ten hours of waiting8:17 - State finals: pinned a kid who had beaten him twice during the season11:18 - Training five to six times a week with club, headed to Stevens Institute of Technology🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • US Open U20 Champ Ryan Burton - Wrestling Mindset Success Story

    15:50|
    Gene Zannetti talks with Virginia Tech wrestler and U20 US Open champion Ryan Burton about winning the US Open after moving back up to his natural weight and falling back in love with the sport, how stacking small daily wins in training gave him the confidence to compete at his best, why writing motivational phrases on his locker a month before the tournament kept him locked in on his purpose, and what it's like training alongside Bo Bassett and James Green at Virginia Tech as they build toward a national team championship.Timestamps:1:39 - Won the US Open U20 after moving back to natural weight and enjoying wrestling again2:21 - Trusting the training and stacking small wins to get over the hump4:39 - Faith at Saint Joe's: Vir Fidelis and a religion teacher who changed his life6:08 - Iron Horse Wrestling Club and the people who shaped his career7:26 - Ditching traditional lifting for lean explosive training with John Wilkins9:23 - Mindset going into the World Team Trials finals11:39 - Finding purpose in training: everything I'm doing is preparing me for this13:10 - Virginia Tech training with Bo Bassett, Japanese world-level wrestlers, and James Green🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI
  • MD State Champ Cash Wheat - Wrestling Mindset Success Story

    16:38|
    Gene Zannetti talks with Maryland state champion Cash Wheat about his three-year journey with Wrestling Mindset from a confidence-struggling sophomore to a dominant state champion, how building a confidence anchor using a simple leg slap helped him attack instead of hesitate, developing a warrior alter ego that transformed him the moment he stepped on the mat, and how the mindset work spilled over into his daily life giving him the confidence to talk to new people and feel like he belongs with high-level guys.Timestamps:1:44 - Focusing on confidence2:34 - Bounced back with Coach Mike's help4:25 - Confidence anchor: building the leg slap into a competitive trigger5:50 - Alter ego strategy7:10 - Mindset built confidence off the mat9:13 - Committed to D3 at University of Lynchburg, targeting All-American11:18 - The setback that fueled the state run14:53 - Won the state finals 12-0 before pinning his opponent in the final period🎯 This episode is sponsored by:🥗 Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.comUse code MINDSET for 15% off your order💪 Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.comUse code MINDSET25 for a special discountPlease LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com🎙Stay connected with Wrestling Mindset🔗 Visit our website: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/📞 Book a free consultation: https://www.wrestlingmindset.com/1-on-1-coaching/Wrestling Mindset Social MediaInstagram: / wrestlingmindsetFacebook: / wrestlingmindsetTwitter: / wrestlingmindse🎧 Listen to our podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65xcqo9ZdPY36HeQOltPUI