The Art of Manliness #118: Olympic and Collegiate Wrestling Legend Dan Gable
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Jun 11, 2015 
Dan Gable, a wrestling legend known for winning a gold medal in 1972 without conceding a point and coaching 15 championship teams at the University of Iowa, shares his journey. He discusses how early influences shaped his relentless drive and the life lessons learned from his only loss in college. Gable also opens up about the devastating impact of his sister's murder on his perspective. He emphasizes his core coaching principles focused on hard work, continual learning, and the importance of communication in retirement.
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Raised Into Wrestling Culture
- Dan Gable fell into wrestling because he grew up in Waterloo where strong high-school programs and coaches dominated the culture.
- He tried many sports but narrowed to wrestling in 10th grade because he loved the control and immediate performance it demanded.
Mom's 'Molly Putz' Wake-Up Call
- Dan recounts being called a "molly putz" by his mother when he pouted after a match and used it to snap out of self-pity.
- He turned anger into action and shoveled neighbors' driveways during a snowstorm to prove himself.
The One Collegiate Loss That Changed Him
- Gable describes his 181-match winning streak that ended in his final collegiate match and how he analyzed that loss.
- The loss taught him to be the smartest worker, not just the hardest, and to plan improvements.
