What Wrestling Taught Me About Pain, Purpose & Pushing Through | #Success - Ep. 21
Mar 26, 2025
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Dive into the gritty world of wrestling as the speaker shares their annual journey back to the mat, complete with late-night practices, injury challenges, and a staggering 25-pound weight cut. Discover how two bicep tears taught valuable lessons about pain, purpose, and joy. This is more than just a wrestling story; it’s a motivational call to embrace your passions and live fully. Learn why pushing through pain can enrich your life, impacting relationships and personal fulfillment in unexpected ways.
30:06
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Quick takeaways
Wrestling embodies the essence of reliving passions and fostering a sense of belonging, revitalizing personal commitments to joy and satisfaction.
Resilience shines through the challenges of weight cutting and injuries, highlighting the necessity of a positive mindset in overcoming life's obstacles.
Deep dives
The Joy of Wrestling and Commitment to Compete
Wrestling sparked a passion from an early age, and continuing to compete allows for reliving those glory days while providing a sense of belonging and renews their commitment to personal goals. Despite years away from the sport, participating in tournaments brings back the excitement and camaraderie among fellow wrestlers, regardless of age. An inspiring encounter with an older competitor demonstrated the resilience to keep competing into later years, prompting a commitment to wrestle annually. This promise to compete reinforces the value of pursuing something that brings joy and satisfaction in life.
Facing Obstacles While Preparing for a Tournament
Preparing for wrestling tournaments involves rigorous training and the challenge of overcoming injuries, demanding strong dedication. The journey to recover from a neck injury led to the participation in a competitive spirit despite physical limitations. The experience reminded of the importance of resilience, as participants tackle each match—no matter the condition of their body. Undeterred by setbacks, the desire to compete remains deeper than the fear of injury, underpinning the joys of sport.
The Challenges of Weight Cutting
One of the most daunting aspects of wrestling is the requirement to cut weight before competitions, which can strain the body both physically and mentally. The method involves dehydration techniques that may seem extreme but are common in the sport, pushing participants to their limits. Successfully hitting the required weight presents a sense of accomplishment, but it comes with adverse effects on health and well-being. The experience emphasizes the dedication required to achieve sports goals while highlighting the fine line between successful weight management and personal health.
Embracing Pain and Positivity in Adversity
Engaging in wrestling, despite injuries and physical setbacks, illuminates the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in facing life’s challenges. Adopting an optimistic attitude during family vacations showcases the ability to prioritize the happiness of loved ones over personal pain. Emphasizing resilience, the narrative reinforces the idea that experiencing adversity can lead to feelings of fulfillment and excitement. Ultimately, the journey of pursuing passions coupled with a positive outlook enhances life and encourages others to take risks and embrace their desires, regardless of potential pain.
In this episode of The Russell Brunson Show, I take you behind the scenes of my annual return to the wrestling mat… A ritual that’s become one of the most important parts of my life!
You’ll hear the entire journey leading up to this year’s tournament: the late-night practices, the 25-pound weight cut, the broken sauna, the two dislocated arms, and yes… the back-to-back bicep tears (both arms!). It’s crazy. It’s painful. And I’d do it all over again.
Because this isn’t just about wrestling, it’s about doing the thing that makes you feel alive. Whether that’s building funnels, writing books, or chasing down a long-lost passion from your youth… This episode is a reminder to stop waiting, stop playing it safe, and start living.
Key Highlights:
Why I wrestle every year (and how it impacts every part of my life)
The brutal (and hilarious) reality of cutting 25 pounds in 5 days
What two torn biceps taught me about pain, purpose, and joy
How I used mindset to show up in Hawaii as a better husband and dad — even while suffering in silence
Why the risk of getting hurt shouldn’t stop you from doing the thing you love
This one’s not about marketing. It’s about meaning! If you’ve ever felt stuck, bored, or burned out, this episode might just be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.