There was a day when it was noble to die on the field of battle, clutching your sword until your last breath sputtered out. In ancient Norse mythology, only those who died bravely in battle were sent to an afterlife in Valhalla. This was the warrior’s ideal end—not a thing to run from, but to seek.
At tournaments, often you hear, “I hope I don’t have to wrestle so-and-so…he’s a state champ.” There is nothing wrong with the fear of losing, as it is something that gives nightmares to even the best wrestlers. But to allow your fear of losing to overshadow your competitive drive is worse than losing. It is cowardice.
The competitor who fears competition runs from the inevitable. Just as the warrior believes that death is inescapable and it is better to end gloriously, losing is a given. There will always be someone, someday, who will beat you. The sooner you get over that the better. The true competitor doesn’t run from this, but tries to find his or her own Valhalla.
I have never had an undefeated season, and I don’t plan on it. Every year, I have had someone challenge me, push me, and beat me. And I have come out better because of it. Whether it’s up a weight class or at a national tournament, there is always a way to lose. It’s better to go down swinging against a good opponent than to breeze through a mediocre one.
This doesn’t just apply to big matches and screaming fans. The easiest and most painless way to do this is in the wrestling room, every day. Look around, find the best guy, and go catch a beating. You will be better for it.
2 Comments
Rollie,
What’s up Man? Great blog. First time I have ever read one. I love the topic, as well. I have been sharing with many people, your story of bumping up a weight at the Lowell Holiday Tourney to wrestle Casey Boyle. The, then, best high schooler in New England. I think most people who might read this already know the result of that match. Anyway, personal challenges of that degee. Personal challenges that you alone accept, and are willing to carry out in a public arena in front of friends and foes alike, can often times be the precise moment when an athlete will “jump levels” (to use your John Smith quote, flowrestling.com). The confidence that can be gained from a single instance of excellence is immeasureable. I have seen it over and over in my 23 years of wrestling. And I look forward to seeing it and hearing it about you this winter. Stay healthy, stay strong, stay focused. NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP! HEAR IT COMES.
Sean
Just like you, I bring a competitive drive to everything I do, including my small-time hedge fund. I don’t let the names and reputations of big fund managers scare me into the corner of my cubicle, better yet, I thrive on the chance to take positions against the likes of Soros, Lynch, and Buffett. Do I care about what the “investing gods” have to say about the market? No. I could give a shit less. I have 28% of my assets allocated for the sole purpose of shorting everything Buffett buys. Some may call this ill-informed, even wreckless. I call this contrarian.
I am a trading hero. No, I am a trading legend. I dive into my real-time quotes headfirst, aiming either to get rich, or reach Valhalla trying. I don’t care if I haven’t reached the water-mark on my fund in three years. I don’t care if 90% of my investors have taken their money out. And no, I don’t care if my wife left me for my garderner. I stick my guns. Screw jumping on investing bandwagons.