Wrestling Mindset

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 th...

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...

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:...

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...

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 coachi...

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 deve...

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 para...

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 mainstre...

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...

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 pla...

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 Delbarton 2:14 - Overthinking in middle school vs. open mindset now 3:09 - Predator minds...

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 F...

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 important 6:37 - Envis...

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 millionaire 7:24 - Comp...

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 things 3:38 - Learning from his own mistakes 7:16 - Soviet Union model: one coach for life 10:36...

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 yourself 5:44 - Professional-level coaching from a youn...

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 heavier 4:37 - Balancing between testing and confidence building 9:17 - Min...

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 resources 3:02 - Kids change in cycles every 2-3 years 6:19 - Having fun and incorporating games i...

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 preparation 3:53 - The moment deep breathing beat the nerves 5:13 - Kids need structure and...

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 Wrestling 4:32 - Summer travel with international competition 9:46 - Biggest lesson: belief is...

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 Regional 5:59 - Kids become like your own children 10:53 - Community support and env...

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 mindset 4:01 - Being a cerebral wrestler without elite athleticism 8:04 - Early influences 9:55 - Demystifying...

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 child 12:28 - What parents should do when entering your room 14:10 - Parents can't let go of their kids 19:38 - Pare...

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 unique 7:13 - Brotherhood and team culture 10:00 - Donating a kidney to Norm Latona 14:12 - Doing hard thing...

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 journey 4:53 - Upcoming season 6:00 - The continuity of coaching 9:36 - You can't fake passion 10:40 - What's changing and what stays the same 14:15 - Social media's long-te...