Learn

In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, Gene Zannetti talks with Tennessee state champion Reed Loeffel about winning his first state title as a senior after joining Wrestling Mindset just two to three months before the tournament.
Reed says staying present and surrendering the outcome were the two biggest tools that kept him from choking on the biggest stage. He describes learning how to actually apply that second one, and how it let him wrestle completely free after a comeback.
He walks through finals day and the challenge of staying present through eight to ten hours of waiting, then pinning a two-time state champion in the final who had beaten him twice during the season. He also makes the point that even wrestlers who do not think they have a mindset problem benefit from just having someone to talk to. He is training five to six times a week with his club and heading to Stevens Institute of Technology.
Timestamps
- 2:30 – Joining Wrestling Mindset two to three months before states
- 3:02 – Staying present and not thinking ahead
- 3:43 – Surrendering the outcome, learning how to actually apply it
- 4:02 – Even without a big problem, just talking to someone about mindset makes a huge difference
- 6:44 – Wrestling completely free after the comeback
- 7:27 – Finals day: staying present through eight to ten hours of waiting
- 8:17 – State finals: pinned a kid who had beaten him twice during the season
- 11:18 – Training five to six times a week with club, headed to Stevens Institute of Technology
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.
Support the Wrestling Mindset Podcast
If you enjoy conversations with elite wrestlers about the mental side of competition, subscribe to the Wrestling Mindset Podcast and explore the full archive.
Please leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with your wrestling community.
For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com.
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.
Listen to the Wrestling Mindset Podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
‹ Back



