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In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, Gene Zannetti talks with head coach and legendary wrestling dad Bill Bassett about why the relationship with your sons always has to come before results.
Bill explains that not every parent is built to coach their own kid in the corner, even if they are a great coach for someone else, and that being dad at the dinner table and coach in the room means learning to switch hats. He is also clear that no parent has ever set out to hurt their kid.
He talks about the importance of a wrestling mom who is fully bought in, like his wife Carissa, who lets the boys and Bill do their thing. He notes that 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. The episode also covers how Jason Nolf sparked the idea for the Oceans series and how Jordan Burroughs picks Bill's brain at Fargo and NCAA's.
Timestamps
- 1:59 – Jason Nolf sparked the idea for the Oceans series
- 3:57 – Jordan Burroughs picks Bill's brain at Fargo and NCA's
- 5:39 – Topics covered on how to be a wrestling dad
- 7:50 – Relationship with his sons always came first over results
- 12:49 – Carissa is fully bought in and lets the boys and Bill do their thing
- 17:40 – No parent has ever set out to hurt their kid
- 20:33 – Being dad at the dinner table and coach in the room, you have to switch hats
- 22:15 – The greatest wrestlers had all-in parents
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, coaches, and parents master the mental side of competition. Our programs develop confidence, focus, resilience, and composure so athletes can perform at their highest level when it matters most.
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