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In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, Gene Zannetti talks with New York state champion Ryker Cox about winning his first state title as a junior at 160 pounds, how working on his mindset helped him jump levels in wrestling by staying focused one step at a time, why his reset button became raising his eyebrows to mentally reset between sequences, how key losses during the season lit a fire under him and made him a completely different wrestler, and wrestling through pneumonia and the flu to win a tournament just weeks before states.
Episode Summary
Ryker walks through the path from following his dad’s footsteps into wrestling to becoming a state champion, including how placing fourth at states the year before lit a fire that drove his offseason. He talks about how mindset training helped him jump levels in the sport, the personal reset button he uses between sequences (raising his eyebrows), and the loss during the season that changed his entire year.
The conversation also covers wrestling through pneumonia and the flu, breaking through a mental block at Eastern States, the decision to bring in an assistant coach to upgrade his practice partners, and what it was like to come into the state tournament as the one seed and establish dominance.
Timestamps
- 2:14 – Following his dad’s footsteps
- 4:46 – Placing fourth at states lit a fire for the offseason
- 6:00 – Mindset helped him jump levels in wrestling
- 8:23 – His reset button is raising his eyebrows
- 10:00 – The loss that changed his whole season
- 10:43 – Wrestling through pneumonia and the flu
- 11:40 – Breaking through his mental block at Eastern States
- 13:28 – Hiring an assistant coach for practice partners
- 14:12 – Coming in as the one seed and establishing dominance
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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