In this episode of the Wrestling Mindset Podcast, Gene Zannetti talks with Purdue wrestler Joey Blaze about the mindset shift that started after a freshman year in which he put unneeded pressure on himself as a higher-ranking recruit, and how he learned to reframe wrestling as something he gets to do rather than something he has to do.

Joey explains why he works to stay level-headed after big wins, since the high from a signature win is often what sets up the very next loss. He also breaks down how shifting his match evaluation from win or lose to did I do the right things keeps him from swinging too high or too low, and what he tells himself to reset in the middle of a match when things go wrong.

The episode closes with his advice to young wrestlers: being a good person in every area of your life takes the stress off wrestling and lets you actually enjoy the sport. Along the way he talks about his pre-match routine and about his brother Marcus, the ultra-competitor whose rivalry pushed them both. This episode is sponsored by Young Lee.

Timestamps

• 3:08 – Freshman year overthought things as a higher-ranking recruit
• 4:29 – Shifted to gratitude: I get to do this, not I have to do this
• 6:41 – Learned to stay level-headed after big wins to avoid the next low
• 7:52 – Evaluates matches on did I do the right things, not win or lose
• 9:00 – Pre-match routine: remind yourself how awesome this is, then go through the checklist
• 11:42 – Mid-match reset: if he can score seven points fast, so can I
• 14:01 – Marcus as the ultra-competitor big brother, healthy rivalry that fueled both of them
• 22:11 – Advice to young wrestlers: be a good human and wrestling takes care of itself

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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