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In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, Gene Zannetti talks with Oregon state champion Ryder Sprague about starting mindset training after his freshman year, when he was dominating in practice but collapsing in competition.
Ryder explains how writing down his best moves and visualizing them shifted his confidence, moving him from blaming his skill to trusting it, and how the idea of acting like a state champion in order to become one changed his approach. He also talks about calling his mindset coach an hour before facing an undefeated three-time state champ.
He is candid about losing the state finals as the No. 1 seed his junior year after letting fan mentality and rankings get into his head, and about how shutting all of that out as a senior with sunglasses, headphones, and a no-rankings policy led to the state title. He closes on why advice lands differently coming from a mindset coach than from a parent or a regular coach.
Timestamps
- 1:33 – Great in practice, collapsed in matches
- 2:36 – Writing down and visualizing best moves shifted his confidence
- 3:09 – Act like a state champion and you'll become one
- 7:01 – Called his mindset coach an hour before facing the undefeated three-time state champ
- 11:33 – Mid-match adversity
- 13:39 – Lost the state finals as No. 1 seed after falling into fan mentality
- 14:46 – Shut everything out in senior year
- 17:09 – Why advice lands differently from a mindset coach than from a parent or regular coach
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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