Podcast appearances and mentions of gene zannetti

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, what the biggest mental hurdles are for college wrestlers, why evaluating matches on process rather than outcome is what separates good from great, and how the Latin root of confidence, to trust, means you have to actually put the work in to have something to trust.Timestamps:1:33 - How Ken developed his mindset3:13 - Intensity and calm focus need to coexist9:50 - Joey Kangaroo: plugging away since sixth grade, now Harvard wrestling captain16:51 - Biggest mental challenge for wrestlers: self-confidence and believing in yourself20:25 - Wrestle the man's body not his name, Nate Carr's advice that still holds up29:39 - Evaluate matches on process not outcome: did you make the first attack, did you hustle back

Gene Zannetti talks with Nebraska state champion JT Smith about starting with Wrestling Mindset in eighth grade to fix a confidence problem that was holding him back despite having the technique and athleticism to beat top-level guys, how shifting from a prey mindset to a predator mindset unlocked his aggression on the mat, pinning his first two state tournament opponents in a combined 35 seconds, and his goals of graduating from West Point and making a U20 Greco or freestyle national team.Timestamps:1:41 - Started with Wrestling Mindset with a confidence problem2:54 - The prey mindset: going in timid, not ready to attack or score3:18 - Feels ready at 100% almost every time he steps on the mat5:23 - Got sick mid-season, had to come back and rebuild conditioning6:23 - Teched everyone at districts, pinned first two state opponents in under 50 seconds combined8:36 - Two best friends lost in the state finals right before his match10:11 - Took an injury timeout in the finals, refocused, and pulled away to win 11 to 214:52 - Going to West Point, wants to be an All-American and make a U20 national team

What does it actually take to sustain excellence for over a decade at the highest level of sport — and still feel fulfilled?Gene Zannetti sits down with 6x World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs for one of the most honest conversations in wrestling. Jordan opens up about his career journey, building a culture as a parent and coach, how faith became the missing piece in his pursuit of greatness, and why the key to raising champions starts long before they ever step on a mat.Wrestling Mindset is proud to partner with Jordan's All I See Is Gold Academy — a shared mission to develop wrestlers who win on the mat and lead with character off it. This conversation is the heart of that partnership.This episode is essential listening for every wrestling parent, coach, and athlete who wants to win the right way — with character, integrity, and purpose.Timestamps:2:22 - Youth wrestling assessment3:01 - What NOT to do as a wrestling parent5:38 - Building virtue and character first11:21 - Is winning always worth it? Olympic and World Championship ceremony15:51 - Are you growing as a parent?19:01 - Leadership and Communication23:47 - 4 Mindset Principles26:49 - Building a Winning Culture in the Wrestling Room34:11 - Pursuing true greatness after 1st world title37:26 - Dremiel Byers lesson41:20 - Learning from his peers Coleman Scott and Tervel Dlagnev45:01 - Bo Bassett pace47:45 - Jason Wilson parenting lesson51:14 - Why Jordan is NOT retired52:08 - Competing and training with a large family55:59 - Honoring your family name57:11 - Joe DeSena lesson work-life integration58:33 - Wrestling as a family sport1:05:14 - Leading USA wrestling1:09:27 - What it's like as a Professional Athlete1:11:48 - How to Navigate Fear1:12:42 - Tervel Dlagnev message before World Championship

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, how staying present and surrendering the outcome were the two biggest tools that kept him from choking on the biggest stage, pinning a two-time state champion in the finals who had beaten him twice during the season, and why even wrestlers who don't think they have a mindset problem can benefit from just having someone to talk to.Timestamps:2:30 - Joining Wrestling Mindset two to three months before states3:02 - Staying present and not thinking ahead 3:43 - Surrendering the outcome, learning how to actually apply it4:02 - Even without a big problem, just talking to someone about mindset makes a huge difference6:44 - Wrestling completely free after the comeback7:27 - Finals day: staying present through eight to ten hours of waiting8:17 - State finals: pinned a kid who had beaten him twice during the season11:18 - Training five to six times a week with club, headed to Stevens Institute of Technology

Gene Zannetti talks with Maryland state champion Cash Wheat about his three-year journey with Wrestling Mindset from a confidence-struggling sophomore to a dominant state champion, how building a confidence anchor using a simple leg slap helped him attack instead of hesitate, developing a warrior alter ego that transformed him the moment he stepped on the mat, and how the mindset work spilled over into his daily life giving him the confidence to talk to new people and feel like he belongs with high-level guys.Timestamps:1:44 - Focusing on confidence2:34 - Bounced back with Coach Mike's help4:25 - Confidence anchor: building the leg slap into a competitive trigger5:50 - Alter ego strategy7:10 - Mindset built confidence off the mat9:13 - Committed to D3 at University of Lynchburg, targeting All-American11:18 - The setback that fueled the state run14:53 - Won the state finals 12-0 before pinning his opponent in the final period

Gene Zannetti talks with Virginia Tech wrestler and U20 US Open champion Ryan Burton about winning the US Open after moving back up to his natural weight and falling back in love with the sport, how stacking small daily wins in training gave him the confidence to compete at his best, why writing motivational phrases on his locker a month before the tournament kept him locked in on his purpose, and what it's like training alongside Bo Bassett and James Green at Virginia Tech as they build toward a national team championship.Timestamps:1:39 - Won the US Open U20 after moving back to natural weight and enjoying wrestling again2:21 - Trusting the training and stacking small wins to get over the hump4:39 - Faith at Saint Joe's: Vir Fidelis and a religion teacher who changed his life6:08 - Iron Horse Wrestling Club and the people who shaped his career7:26 - Ditching traditional lifting for lean explosive training with John Wilkins9:23 - Mindset going into the World Team Trials finals11:39 - Finding purpose in training: everything I'm doing is preparing me for this13:10 - Virginia Tech training with Bo Bassett, Japanese world-level wrestlers, and James Green

Gene Zannetti sits down with legendary wrestling coaches Ernie Monaco, Jeff Buxton, and Steve Rivera to discuss the biggest forces reshaping wrestling today, including why parents treating coaching as a transactional service undermines everything coaches build, how the club hopping epidemic creates gaps in wrestling IQ instead of linear development, why building champions starts with parents working on themselves first, the difference between coaching a boarding school environment versus a club where parents never fully let go, and why loyalty and long-term relationships are the foundation of every great wrestling career.Timestamps:1:54 - How Ernie saw the club wrestling explosion coming decades ago5:09 - The transfer portal is destroying team culture13:00 - Parents treat coaching as transactional and miss what coaches actually invest22:00 - The European art metaphor: chipping away everything bad until beauty is revealed31:56 - Building a champion starts with parents working on themselves first34:15 - Blair's boarding environment built independence by removing parents from the equation50:05 - Steve letting Sebastian take a year off in 8th grade and never questioning his commitment again1:03:26 - Club hopping creates gaps in wrestling IQ by skipping from page one to page 2001:14:00 - Gratitude as the bookend that puts every match in proper perspective1:53:32 - The magic of coaching is always in the relationship, not the technique2:20:00 - How money entering the sport is eroding the integrity of youth wrestling2:57:00 - Wrestling's evolution: how athletic and physical the sport has become compared to 30 years ago

Gene Zannetti talks with Montana state champion Tegan Jones about winning his first state title as a senior after placing fourth the year before, how four years of mindset training helped him through trial and error to find what worked best for him, why hearing "believe in yourself" from an outside perspective who had accomplished what he wanted to do made all the difference, and how he applied the same wrestling principles of hard methodical work to get accepted into Penn and Brown while aspiring to become a surgeon.Timestamps:1:22 - Four years of mindset training through trial and error3:44 - Placing fourth at states then pivoting for senior year4:03 - Building self-confidence wrestling older guys as a freshman5:06 - Why it's different hearing advice from an outside perspective7:24 - Not worried about wins or losses, just focused on performing9:20 - Fortune favors the bold: Aristotle quote before state finals12:38 - Applying wrestling principles to get into Ivy League schools

Gene Zannetti talks with Pennsylvania state champion Chase Randolph about winning his first state title and then the US Open freestyle championship just weeks later, how mindset training helped him stop losing to kids he should beat and start beating kids he never beat before, why surrendering the result and focusing only on effort and attitude made him feel free on the mat, and how he wrestled 12 matches in two days at the US Open after losing first round in Greco then flipping the switch to win freestyle.Timestamps:1:13 - Skeptical of mindset training at first2:20 - Felt a lot more free at Kids Focused on Nationals2:36 - Surrender the result and focus on what you control4:12 - Wrestling for myself, not caring what people think5:08 - Trusting his mindset coach's knowledge and experience9:03 - Losing first round in Greco then winning six straight in freestyle11:45 - Finding the good in every day and fixing weaknesses

Gene Zannetti talks with Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion Jordan Burroughs about the partnership between Wrestling Mindset and All I See Is Gold Academy, why mindset becomes more important as you get older in the sport, how youth wrestling is 100% mental because young athletes lack physical strength and technical skill, and why he trusts Wrestling Mindset's approach.Timestamps:1:15 - Wrestling mindset percentage depends on where you are in life1:46 - Youth wrestling is 100% mental at this age3:33 - Why Wrestling Mindset: you're wrestlers who've been in the game6:18 - Memorizing foundational mindset principles7:51 - Goal one: learning to fail forward without losing enthusiasm8:33 - Goal two: creating people who are insanely driven and disciplined

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.Timestamps:2:14 - Following his dad's footsteps4:46 - Placing fourth at states lit a fire for the offseason6:00 - Mindset helped him jump levels in wrestling8:23 - His reset button is raising his eyebrows10:00 - The loss that changed his whole season10:43 - Wrestling through pneumonia and the flu11:40 - Breaking through his mental block at Eastern States13:28 - Hiring an assistant coach for practice partners14:12 - Coming in as the one seed and establishing dominance

Gene Zannetti talks with Minnesota state champion Anthony Heim about his dramatic comeback win in the state finals when he was down by two with his opponent in on his leg, how learning to relax and breathe through matches transformed his season after a disappointing start, why he developed a reset button by touching his toes and taking deep breaths between every break in the action, and how coaching youth wrestlers helped him fall in love with the sport again and avoid burnout.Timestamps:2:14 - Learning to fall in love with wrestling again4:06 - Remembering to breathe5:07 - Forcing himself to use his reset until it became natural6:37 - His reset button was just touching his toes7:18 - Being relaxed instead of blaring music with headphones8:28 - The four-day state tournament and taking one match at a time9:43 - Down by two with opponent in on his leg14:02 - Going from third to fifth place the year before18:05 - Coaching young wrestlers to avoid burnout

Gene Zannetti talks with New Jersey State champion Greyson Pettit about his journey from freshman to state champion at 132 pounds, how cutting too much weight his sophomore and junior years made him hate the sport and derailed his postseason, why moving up to a weight where he felt strong changed everything, the recurring dream he had three times before winning states as a 21 seed, and how he developed his own reset button using three deep breaths to stay calm between every break in the action.Timestamps:1:15 - Cutting weight brought him to a dark place4:46 - Grade 2 ACL tear ended his junior year7:18 - The difference between discipline and cutting weight10:43 - Seeded 21st at the state tournament13:53 - The recurring dream 16:08 - Staying focused on the next match only17:47 - Developing his own reset button without knowing it22:06 - Staying locked in

Gene Zannetti talks with NCAA champion Nico Megaludis and his father Dan about their father-son wrestling journey, how Dan coached Nico without destroying their relationship, the importance of scheduling feedback instead of coaching in the hurricane of emotion after matches, why Dan never yelled at Nico in the hallways, how faith helped Nico finally win his national title as a senior, and the parallel between creating wealth and playing offense while protecting it is playing defense.Timestamps:5:27 - Dan's wrestling background and starting Nico young10:43 - Visualizing the Olympic finals in basement tournaments17:47 - Forcing Nico to learn leg attacks at age eight20:30 - Separating wrestling and family time24:12 - Scheduling feedback days30:17 - Making NCAA finals as a true freshman31:52 - First match realizing someone was actually better47:19 - Finding peace through faith in his senior year

Gene Zannetti talks with social media wrestler Georgio Poullas about his viral "Take Me Down Win $1,000" challenge series, how the Pitbull mentality his dad taught him drives his aggressive wrestling style, why he's never been taken down in hundreds of challenge attempts, and how posting content every single day of the year is the key to building a following and promoting wrestling to the mainstream.Timestamps:3:19 - How the Take Me Down $1,000 Challenge started11:40 - Pitbull mentality and mental preparation13:13 - Keeping it technical and respectful in challenges18:24 - Promoting wrestling and inspiring new wrestlers20:25 - Pre-match routine vs challenge mindset22:15 - Dad's influence and bodybuilding background25:25 - Training routine and sport-specific workouts31:47 - Advice for growing a social media following

Gene Zannetti talks with three-time New Jersey state champion Cam Sontz about his overtime state finals victory, how six years of consistent mindset training eliminated his fear of choking in big matches, the role his pre-match routine plays in keeping him calm and confident, and why he dedicates his wrestling career to his brother Kieran who is battling cancer.Timestamps:1:36 - Team culture at Delbarton4:05 - Coach's impact and preparation style8:04 - State finals breakdown and staying calm12:46 - Losing big matches before mindset training14:26 - Mindset as part of training15:08 - Committing to Lehigh University19:41 - Family support 26:53 - Pressure of going for a fourth state title

Gene Zannetti talks with Pennsylvania state champion Chase Karenbauer about his journey from third place as a freshman to winning the state title as a sophomore, how consistent mindset training helped him internalize confidence and focus on his own attack rather than his opponent's, and why he visualized the state finals match for weeks before it happened.Timestamps:1:30 - Journey from third place freshman year to state champion4:06 - Getting a new mindset coach and building a friendship6:14 - Pre match routine visualization and repetition7:05 - Breaking down the state finals match12:19 - Focus on your attack not your opponent's14:02 - Internalizing mindset lessons over time16:08 - Talking about mindset publicly in the article18:26 - Long term goals and college plans

Gene Zannetti talks with Finn Andersen about placing seventh at states as a freshman, how wrestling mindset training helped him stop overthinking and wrestle with an open mind, his comeback win in the blood round, and why nothing has to be perfect to succeed.Timestamps:0:33 - Reflections on freshman year at Delbarton2:14 - Overthinking in middle school vs. open mindset now3:09 - Predator mindset and letting go of perfection5:07 - Adapting to high school wrestling mentally6:37 - State tournament weekend breakdown8:05 - Staying calm in the comeback blood round match10:02 - Digging deep for 7th place match11:03 - Freestyle plans and staying ready

Gene Zannetti talks with high school wrestling phenom Bo Bassett about being the only high schooler signed to Real American Freestyle, why his dad is called "the whisper," controlling the controllables in championship matches, and keeping Christ at the foundation while preparing for Virginia Tech and chasing Olympic dreams.Timestamps:2:47 - The only high school wrestler signed to Real American Freestyle9:43 - Controlling the controllables: run back to center, body language, attack rate11:53 - Pre-match routine stays the same in high school, college, or professional level14:45 - My energy scale: I need to be at a 7, ready to roll from first whistle18:13 - Outside noise on social media, turn negativity into motivation21:21 - Ready for a war every single match, no matter the opponent26:00 - A setback sets you up for your greatest comeback28:35 - Energy management watching your brother wrestle before your match

Gene Zannetti talks with Yale Street Wrestling Club coach Donnie DeFilippis about why kids need to visualize being in the state finals long before they get there, how parents destroy their kids' belief by talking negatively about opponents, and why making excuses for injuries turns losses into crutches instead of learning opportunities.Timestamps:5:39 - Visualization is so important6:37 - Envisioned myself in the state finals for over a year as a freshman17:47 - If you don't really believe in your kid, how do you expect him to believe in himself20:33 - Set your goals high; coming up short, you've still won21:34 - Making excuses about injuries35:07 - Imagine writing your own movie, you'd pick the toughest road and win42:16 - The difference between hurt and injured55:00 - You're gonna miss these moments, don't focus only on winning and losing

Gene Zannetti talks with entrepreneur Lance Bachman about why you become the average of the five people you hang out with, how he sold six companies for hundreds of millions despite never being a great wrestler, and why 99.9% of people criticizing on forums are stone-cold losers who've never done anything of substance.Timestamps:4:31 - Sales is the fastest way to become a millionaire7:24 - Competing vs winning11:22 - Pick 2-3 things: social life, education, or athletics17:12 - Once you learn to make money, it compounds fast21:41 - There's not a lot of money in wrestling25:02 - 99.9% of people commenting are stone-cold losers28:35 - "You changed" - isn't that the point?34:50 - The brick wall is your advantage

Gene Zannetti talks with Dragon Wrestling Club founder Eleazar De Luca about why cutting weight is overrated, how confidence comes from drilling proper technique, and teaching wrestlers to shoot to positions of strength instead of uncertainty.Timestamps:2:40 - High school wrestlers focus on the wrong things3:38 - Learning from his own mistakes7:16 - Soviet Union model: one coach for life10:36 - Drilling proper technique and chain wrestling12:23 - Teaching proper vs improper wrestling positions17:00 - Confidence is brought by the drill20:10 - Competition frequency recommendations27:04 - USA Wrestling's systematic approach

Gene Zannetti talks with Woodbridge High School Head Coach Mike Monaco about kids wrestling to avoid disappointing parents instead of for themselves, how social media creates unrealistic expectations at young ages, and why there's no better feeling than being the underdog who lets it fly.Timestamps:2:03 - Parental pressure and wrestling for yourself5:44 - Professional-level coaching from a young age7:27 - Learning from losses even when you do everything right10:19 - Weight management and discipline13:25 - Wrestling community brings different people together19:06 - The sport is growing21:14 - Being the 10 seed with nothing to lose25:00 - Loading up districts and wrestling the best

Gene Zannetti talks with Rutgers RTC Coach Kyle Kiss about belief being the biggest battle at every level, why middle school results don't predict college success, and focusing on long-term development instead of immediate wins and tournament pressure.Timestamps:1:40 - Building Triumph and Garden State Wrestling4:32 - Summer travel with international competition9:46 - Biggest lesson: belief is always a battle12:51 - Mental struggles at every level of wrestling17:33 - Middle school phenoms don't always pan out18:10 - Half of college wrestlers weren't best in middle school20:14 - Writing down mental reminders before matches22:22 - Focus on scoring points today, not future

Gene Zannetti talks with High Point Head Coach Billy Smith about overcoming nerves through deep breathing and relaxation, why team wrestling prepares athletes for individual success, and keeping fundamentals basic for 50+ years of program success.Timestamps:0:46 - Struggling with nerves despite confident preparation3:53 - The moment deep breathing beat the nerves5:13 - Kids need structure and guidance with checklists6:28 - Overthinking as a cerebral wrestler10:17 - Love winning but more than just a competitor14:00 - Team goals prepare you for individual goals18:01 - Being part of something bigger than yourself22:15 - Managing personalities harder than coaching technique

Gene Zannetti talks with West Essex Head Coach Michael Markey about why wrestling has become mentally heavier with social media and national exposure, balancing tough competition with building confidence, and why coaches need mindset training as much as their athletes.Timestamps:1:15 - How social media has made wrestling heavier4:37 - Balancing between testing and confidence building9:17 - Mindset as the edge when everyone has access to technique10:20 - Battling imposter syndrome14:22 - Staying current as competition gets tougher19:06 - Wrestling as a self-development tool, not just winning20:26 - Coaches need mindset training too24:11 - Forcing your goals versus their goals

Gene Zannetti talks with Brick Township Head Coach Joe Lindenbaum about why kids and coaches change every two to three years, reframing nerves as excitement for competition, and building community to keep wrestlers home in your program.Timestamps:1:55 - Weight cutting struggles and better nutrition resources3:02 - Kids change in cycles every 2-3 years6:19 - Having fun and incorporating games into practice7:11 - Reframing nervous as excited for competition10:01 - Focus on what you have, not what others have10:49 - Building community to keep wrestlers home15:43 - Scouting helps some but hurts many more18:24 - Off-season focus on improvement, not just wins

Gene Zannetti talks with Southern Regional Head Coach Dan Roy about using hard training to build mental toughness, why kids need to understand the "why" behind their work, and learning that confidence issues made him a better coach for understanding his wrestlers' struggles.Timestamps:2:59 - 23 years at Southern Regional5:59 - Kids become like your own children10:53 - Community support and environment at Southern13:40 - Wrestling teaches life lessons, not just winning17:16 - Train hard so adversity doesn't break you mentally20:20 - Importance of warm-up and nutrition routine24:17 - Different kids need different motivation approaches33:16 - Gratitude mindset: "I get to" not "I have to"

Gene Zannetti talks with Olympic Champion Kendall Cross about breaking down opponents with sport intelligence, placing low value on failures to stay optimistic, and why being motivated to compete matters more than being the best athlete.Timestamps:2:50 - Positive outlook and optimistic mindset4:01 - Being a cerebral wrestler without elite athleticism8:04 - Early influences9:55 - Demystifying the Olympic process12:40 - Naysayers doubting the unorthodox style16:35 - Social media's impact on young wrestlers today21:30 - High motivation to compete drives success23:30 - Placing low value on failures and mistakes

Gene Zannetti talks with coaches Mike Foca and Donny DeFilippis about why parents need to step back and let coaches do their job, the dangers of club hopping, and why customer-is-always-right doesn't apply to wrestling coaching.Timestamps:1:43 - The difficulty of coaching your own child12:28 - What parents should do when entering your room14:10 - Parents can't let go of their kids19:38 - Parents proving coaches wrong instead of kids proving themselves21:46 - Stop chasing kids and begging them to stay25:11 - Private lessons vs practice room development32:03 - Academy and military discipline in coaching40:28 - Club hopping destroys consistency and coachability

Gene Zannetti talks with Virginia Tech Head Coach Tony Robie about his kidney donation to an athlete's father, why effort matters more than results, eliminating the fear of getting tired, and how doing hard things strengthens your mind and spirit.Timestamps:4:21 - What makes Virginia Tech unique7:13 - Brotherhood and team culture10:00 - Donating a kidney to Norm Latona14:12 - Doing hard things strengthens your spirit15:50 - You can care too much17:20 - Coaching philosophies20:13 - Eliminating the fear of getting tired22:01 - Approach what makes you afraid

Gene Zannetti talks with Jackson Liberty High School Head Coach Gianni Ghione about the importance of continuity in coaching, the value of genuine passion, and why wrestling may not be for everyone.Timestamps:1:58 - Gianni's journey4:53 - Upcoming season6:00 - The continuity of coaching9:36 - You can't fake passion10:40 - What's changing and what stays the same14:15 - Social media's long-term effects18:36 - Wrestling is not for everyone21:30 - Jackson Liberty culture

Gene Zannetti talks with Ridge High School Head Coach Roy Dragon about the widening gap in high school wrestling, doing more than the top kids to close the distance, and why being a great person comes before being a great wrestler.Timestamps:3:49 - The evolution of New Jersey wrestling talent5:54 - Doing more than the top kids to close the gap7:17 - Social media's impact on young wrestlers10:34 - Watching and learning from elite wrestlers12:20 - The tight-knit wrestling community of the past16:06 - Public school mindset and representing your town20:06 - Creating great people first, wrestlers second21:45 - Wrestling is the toughest sport for parents too

Gene Zannetti talks with Warren Hills Head Coach K.C. Wanamaker about the importance of training your mind as much as your body, succeeding at public schools without making excuses, and why it's less about where you go and more about what you do when you're there.Timestamps:3:04 - Believe in yourself and train your mind4:17 - Wishing he had mindset training as an athlete8:18 - It's less about where you go, more about what you do9:00 - Building a high-level public school program11:44 - Stop making excuses and comparing to others15:03 - Competing against local powerhouse programs17:16 - Where athletes train and club opportunities19:29 - Building youth wrestling

Gene Zannetti reconnects with longtime friend and teammate Matt Stanzione, Head Coach of Mountain Lakes High School Wrestling, to talk about the highs and lows of coaching, the evolution of youth sports, and the lessons wrestling teaches far beyond the mat. From childhood memories and rivalry stories to navigating setbacks as a coach, this episode dives into why persistence, relationships, and resilience matter most.Timestamps:3:40 – Growing up teammates: football, baseball, wrestling, and more7:55 – Starting a coaching career while still in college13:22 – Building the Mountain Lakes program and early struggles18:48 – Stepping away after a low point and learning perspective25:10 – Coming back as head coach with renewed purpose32:14 – Balancing family, teaching, and coaching for 20+ years40:28 – The importance of multi-sport athletes and avoiding burnout47:15 – How COVID impacted feeder programs and rebuilding numbers53:20 – Why wrestling makes everything else in life feel easier1:05:44 – The power of rivalries, friendships, and lifelong lessons from the sport

Gene Zannetti talks with Parsippany Hills Head Coach Chris Wells about overcoming adversity in wrestling, how social media affects young athletes, and why building great human beings matters more than just winning matches.Timestamps:4:03 - The importance of mindset in competition8:16 - College struggles and rock bottom moments10:20 - Parents' unconditional support changing everything12:06 - Learning from losses more than wins15:27 - Wrestling the same opponent repeatedly17:06 - What the mind can overcome vs. hold us back from20:14 - Fear of failure leading to self-sabotage24:40 - Social media's impact on young wrestlers

Gene Zannetti talks with Coach John Azevado about the vocation of being a coach, the importance of pressure on wrestlers and their opponents, and why we change our mentality when wrestling a bigger name than us.Timestamps:6:45 - Showing freestyle to Kalika10:43 - Coaching from multiple perspectives13:03 - The vocation of being a coach15:34 - Wrestling culture on the East vs the West coast17:37 - Importance of pressure24:45 - How your pressure affects your opponent27:08 - Why we change mentality when we wrestle big names32:23 - The importance of faith

Gene Zannetti talks with Donnie DeFillipis about wrestling parents and how easily they lift up or bring down their kids without even knowing it. They discuss the messages parents send, how coaching the parents can help, and why it's so important to show their kids that they are learning with them too.Timestamps:1:15 - Parents are there to help10:05 - What messages are you sending your kids12:38 - There is a wrestling club on every corner15:58 - Listening to other parents more than coaches20:40 - Parents can't control themselves30:30 - Get better while having fun41:44 - Parents, admit when you're wrong45:46 - What's the best part of having a kid?

Gene Zannetti talks with World Champion Avtandil Kentchadze about his pressure-forward mindset, the training differences between the US and Russia, and the impact Coach Valentin has had on him.Timestamps:1:42 - Coach Valentin's impact4:58 - Pressure forward6:24 - Wrestling beginnings8:32 - Developing mindset11:50 - Everyone's system is different15:31 - American vs European style17:40 - Training in Russia20:16 - Competing at 86kg

Gene Zannetti talks with University of Pennsylvania Head Coach Matt Valenti about David Pottruck's $20 million donation to Penn, how this will impact facilities and training, and what the plans are for the team going forward.Timestamps:1:42 - Stake in the ground moment5:20 - Allocating funds9:00 - Impacting training centers 14:20 - The best wrestlers don't need the best facilities15:34 - Where the team is going18:58 - What colleges bring to the table21:34 - Penn history26:01 - New facilities

Gene Zannetti talks with US Olympic Coach Valentin Kalika about how it's harder to shift from Freestyle to Greco, why a Greco wrestler needs to have an engineer's mind, and why Judo is technically not wrestling.Timestamps:2:02 - Greco to Freestyle is an easier shift12:03 - A Greco mind needs to be like an engineer21:43 - Positions and angles25:29 - Tips for applying pressure34:00 - Mechanical difficulties in Freestyle38:42 - Judo is not wrestling43:47 - The best at applying pressure51:55 - Wrestling with a system

Gene Zannetti talks with Yianni Diakomihalis about losing and how it indicates the need to revisit and recorrect some minor issues. They talk about going up a weight class, the pros and cons of over- and underplanning, and touch on the topic of cutting weight and that it's not always the answer to a wrestler's problemsTimestamps:2:23 - Teaching at wrestling camps5:48 - Get in there and feel it11:09 - Thinking it through15:50 - Over and underplanning20:15 - Going up a weight class25:55 - Cutting weight is not always the answer32:31 - Navigating mindset through matches39:53 - A loss doesn't mean everything is off

Gene Zannetti reads the homily Pope Leo gave on the Jubilee of Sports. In his message, the Pope emphasizes the importance of perspective in sports and life. Through perspective, we gain spiritual strength to battle not just on the mat but through the difficulties of life, so that we consistently persevere to become better people.

Gene Zannetti gives his detailed Final X recap, going through all the weight classes and breaking down the wrestlers, matches, and surprises as Team USA starts to take shape. Timestamps:0:18 - Going through the weight classes5:42 - Competing when hurt8:36 - How age impacts performance16:30 - Yianni will be back24:21 - Feeling strong32:37 - Real Woods making World Team

Fr. Chris clarifies that martyrs aren't necessarily braver than most but have received a special grace from God. Gene Zannetti shares how sports can lead to evangelization.

Gene Zannetti talks with Josh Barr about his approach to life, how getting beat up on the mat will teach you more, which mindset to bring to which tournament, and the importance of staying relaxed.Timestamps:1:22 - Approaching life4:23 - Four themes of Penn State wrestling8:02 - It's good to get beat up9:29 - Mentality depending on the event13:47 - Staying fun and relaxed18:37 - Rapid questions

Gene Zannetti talks with Keegan O'Toole about wrestling through the season with an injury and his transition from wrestler to coach. They touch on wrestling paradoxes and how the one constant is glorifying God throughout his life.Timestamps:1:20 - Wrestling with an injury4:36 - Being a husband first9:19 - The paradoxes of the sport11:15 - God as a constant16:17 - The definition of success25:03 - How mentality equates to future successRemember to use code "30DAYPODCAST" for $200 Off our 30 Day Mindset Transformation: https://wrestlingmindset.wufoo.com/forms/m1bttd1d0487c56/This podcast is also sponsored by:Eat Clean Bro, visit their website https://eatcleanbro.com/ and use our discount code MINDSET for 15% offChampion Athletes Sports Nutrition, https://champion-athletes.com use promo code MINDSET25 for discounts. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com

Gene Zannetti talks with Pete Reilly about balancing wrestling with other sports, how coaches are raising people, not just wrestlers, ensuring that they have a real childhood, and preparing them eventually for life when their wrestling careers is over.Timestamps:5:40 - Coaching different age groups8:26 - Balanced approach with other sports17:10 - Childhood should be an amazing time24:10 - Life after wrestling31:48 - Working through paradoxes38:17 - Raising people not just wrestlersRemember to use code "30DAYPODCAST" for $200 Off our 30 Day Mindset Transformation: https://wrestlingmindset.wufoo.com/forms/m1bttd1d0487c56/This podcast is also sponsored by:Eat Clean Bro, visit their website https://eatcleanbro.com/ and use our discount code MINDSET for 15% offChampion Athletes Sports Nutrition, https://champion-athletes.com use promo code MINDSET25 for discounts. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com

Gene Zannetti talks with U17 Freestyle World Team Trials Champion Keegan Bassett about his recent victory, the perks of growing up in a wrestling family, what motivates him more than anything, and how he'll use it, along with mindset training, to tackle the rest of the freestyle season.Timestamps:1:10 - Recapping WTT4:10 - Wrestling your partner8:28 - Being part of a wrestling family9:09 - Motivations and goals15:21 - Mindset training benefits16:23 - Approach to the freestyle seasonRemember to use code "30DAYPODCAST" for $200 Off our 30 Day Mindset Transformation: https://wrestlingmindset.wufoo.com/forms/m1bttd1d0487c56/This podcast is also sponsored by:Eat Clean Bro, visit their website https://eatcleanbro.com/ and use our discount code MINDSET for 15% offChampion Athletes Sports Nutrition, https://champion-athletes.com use promo code MINDSET25 for discounts.Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com

Gene Zannetti talks with Coach Michael Blanchard about his newly released book, The Path We Take. They discuss how it's part Michael's origin story, part mindset guide, and how important it is the help kids find their own way in wrestling and life.Timestamps:1:00 - Extended wrestling camps6:04 - Looking at the bigger picture7:01 - The Path We Take book12:50 - Who the book is for17:05 - Letting your kids find their own way24:13 - Last year's winsRemember to use code "30DAYPODCAST" for $200 Off our 30 Day Mindset Transformation: https://wrestlingmindset.wufoo.com/forms/m1bttd1d0487c56/This podcast is also sponsored by Eat Clean Bro, visit their website https://eatcleanbro.com/ and use our discount code MINDSET for 15% off.Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great episodes.If you want to support the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Apple Podcasts.For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email mindset@wrestlingmindset.com