In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, 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.

Ken explains why intensity and calm focus need to coexist, and what he sees as the biggest mental challenge for wrestlers: self-confidence and believing in yourself. He points to the Latin root of confidence, meaning to trust, and makes the case that you have to actually put the work in to have something to trust.

He also shares the story of Joey Kangaroo, who kept plugging away since sixth grade and is now a Harvard wrestling captain, revisits Nate Carr's advice to wrestle the man's body and not his name, and explains why evaluating matches on process rather than outcome is what separates good from great. Did you make the first attack? Did you hustle back?

Timestamps

• 1:33 – How Ken developed his mindset
• 3:13 – Intensity and calm focus need to coexist
• 9:50 – Joey Kangaroo: plugging away since sixth grade, now Harvard wrestling captain
• 16:51 – Biggest mental challenge for wrestlers: self-confidence and believing in yourself
• 20:25 – Wrestle the man's body not his name, Nate Carr's advice that still holds up
• 29:39 – Evaluate matches on process not outcome: did you make the first attack, did you hustle back

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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