In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, Gene Zannetti sits down with entrepreneur Lance Bachmann for a real conversation about the crossover between wrestling, business, and success. Lance shares how the lessons from wrestling — discipline, grit, and mental toughness — helped him build and sell multiple companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

From surrounding yourself with the right people to pushing through adversity, this episode highlights what it truly means to develop a mindset built for long-term growth and resilience — both on and off the mat.

Episode Overview

Gene and Lance talk about how the foundation of a wrestler’s mindset directly applies to success in business and life. The conversation covers sales, leadership, personal growth, and how controlling your environment — especially the people around you — determines your ceiling.

Bachmann explains how wrestling shaped his approach to competition, accountability, and winning in every arena. He also emphasizes how change, criticism, and setbacks are necessary steps toward improvement — both in entrepreneurship and in life.

Timestamp Guide

• 4:31 – Sales is the fastest way to become a millionaire
• 7:24 – Competing vs winning
• 11:22 – Pick 2–3 things: social life, education, or athletics
• 17:12 – Once you learn to make money, it compounds fast
• 21:41 – There’s not a lot of money in wrestling
• 25:02 – 99.9% of people commenting are stone-cold losers
• 28:35 – “You changed” — isn’t that the point?
• 34:50 – The brick wall is your advantage

Key Takeaways

• Mindset matters more than talent. Wrestling teaches consistency, accountability, and focus — all traits that drive success in business and life.
• Your environment shapes your future. The people you spend time with directly influence your mindset, motivation, and results.
• Criticism comes with success. Those who’ve never built anything will always find reasons to criticize those who do.
• Winning isn’t about luck — it’s about systems and repetition. Just like drilling in wrestling, daily habits determine your results.

Business & Wrestling: The Shared DNA

Bachmann and Zannetti discuss how the structure of wrestling — discipline, delayed gratification, and relentless self-assessment — parallels what’s required to succeed in entrepreneurship. Wrestling doesn’t promise comfort. Neither does business. Both reward consistency, hard work, and the refusal to quit.

When you treat your business or career like a wrestling match, you focus less on emotion and more on execution. That’s how you build momentum and turn pressure into performance.

Growth Requires Change

At 28:35, Lance highlights an important truth: when people say “you’ve changed,” that’s a good thing. Growth requires transformation. The same mindset that helped you succeed at one level may not serve you at the next. Learning to evolve is part of the process — whether it’s as a wrestler, coach, or entrepreneur.

That growth mindset is the same one Wrestling Mindset teaches wrestlers and teams across the country — helping them stay mentally sharp, confident, and adaptable through every season of competition.

Listen to the Full Episode

Watch the full episode on YouTube or stream it directly on Spotify as part of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast. Follow and subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, performance, and leadership.

Sponsored By

• Eat Clean Bro – eatcleanbro.com — Use code MINDSET for 15% off your order.
• Champion Athletes Sports Nutrition – champion-athletes.com — Use code MINDSET25 for a special discount.

Want to Build Your Mindset Like a Champion?

Whether you’re a wrestler, coach, or parent, Wrestling Mindset offers proven systems for building confidence, managing pressure, and performing your best when it matters most.

• 1-on-1 Coaching — Personalized mindset training sessions for wrestlers at any level.
• Team Training — Bring the Wrestling Mindset system to your room and improve team performance.
• Download the Parent Mindset Tips PDF — Learn how to support your wrestler’s mental game the right way.

Mindset isn’t optional. It’s the edge. Train your mind like you train your body — and the results will follow.