In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, Gene Zannetti is joined by Tony Robie, Head Coach of Virginia Tech Wrestling. The two discuss Robie’s inspiring story of donating a kidney to an athlete’s father, the importance of valuing effort over results, and how mental and physical toughness are developed through hard work and adversity.

Episode Overview

Virginia Tech Head Coach Tony Robie has built one of the most respected wrestling programs in the country. In this conversation with Wrestling Mindset’s Gene Zannetti, he shares powerful insights into leadership, purpose, and the mindset required to succeed at the highest level. Robie’s story of donating a kidney to Norm Latona — the father of one of his athletes — highlights his deep sense of care and commitment to his wrestling family.

The discussion also covers the philosophy of focusing on effort over outcome, building mental strength through challenges, and eliminating the fear that often holds athletes back from reaching their potential.

Key Discussion Points

• 4:21 – What makes Virginia Tech unique
• 7:13 – Brotherhood and team culture
• 10:00 – Donating a kidney to Norm Latona
• 14:12 – Doing hard things strengthens your spirit
• 15:50 – You can care too much
• 17:20 – Coaching philosophies
• 20:13 – Eliminating the fear of getting tired
• 22:01 – Approach what makes you afraid

Effort Over Outcome

One of the most meaningful parts of the conversation centers on focusing on effort rather than outcome. Robie emphasizes that when athletes put all of their energy into their preparation, work ethic, and consistency, they set themselves up for success both on and off the mat. The results will follow, but effort and discipline are the true measures of progress.

That message perfectly aligns with the Wrestling Mindset philosophy: success comes from controlling what you can control. When wrestlers learn to focus on their effort, intensity, and mindset instead of the final score, their confidence and performance improve naturally.

Doing Hard Things Builds Mental Strength

Robie and Zannetti discuss how doing hard things—whether it’s in training, recovery, or daily life—helps athletes develop not just physical toughness, but also emotional and spiritual resilience. Facing adversity builds the kind of character that stays with wrestlers long after their careers are over. It’s about learning to push through challenges and finding growth through discomfort.

Eliminating the Fear of Getting Tired

Another critical takeaway is learning to eliminate the fear of getting tired. Many athletes hold themselves back out of fear that they’ll run out of gas, but this mindset limits effort and potential. When wrestlers learn to embrace fatigue as part of the process, they unlock new levels of endurance and confidence. Fatigue becomes a signal of growth—not something to avoid.

This is a concept reinforced throughout Wrestling Mindset’s 1-on-1 coaching sessions, where athletes learn techniques to handle pressure, control breathing, and maintain focus no matter how challenging the situation becomes.

Facing Fear and Growing Through It

The episode closes with a reflection on fear — and how the best wrestlers learn to face it head-on. Whether it’s fear of failure, fatigue, or expectation, the only way to overcome it is through exposure and repetition. The more an athlete faces what scares them, the more comfortable they become in uncomfortable situations. This type of mindset development is at the heart of team mindset training, which helps entire programs grow mentally stronger together.

Sponsored By

This episode is proudly 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.

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About Wrestling Mindset

Wrestling Mindset helps wrestlers, parents, and coaches master the mental side of competition. Founded by wrestlers, for wrestlers, our programs focus on building confidence, focus, and resilience so athletes can perform their best when it matters most.

• 1-on-1 Mindset Training – Personalized coaching to help wrestlers develop confidence and consistency.
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