“More enquiringly than any other sport, wrestling teaches self-control and pride. Some have wrestled without great skill ― none have wrestled without pride.” – Dan Gable
Let me introduce you to Roger Moyer, a recent graduate who wrestled for Springfield College.
Roger started wrestling when he was thirteen years old when his neighbor suggested that he would give the sport a try. He became very passionate about wrestling and was getting better every day. However, wrestling was not always perfect for him. One thing I learned from talking to Roger is it is common for wrestlers to struggle with body image. Many wrestlers struggle with how they view their bodies, as they are constantly worrying about their weight class. The constant struggle of worrying about weight class brings negative thoughts in all ways of life, not just wrestling. Others also think they are overweight, causing them to not eat, exercise too much, and ultimately are hurting their bodies even more. For years of wrestling, Roger felt these pressures of his body and struggled with anxiety.
Having a routine every day helped Roger stay focused and motivated. A typical day as a collegiate wrestler looks like a workout in the morning (usually a run), go to practice with the team and then have a lift session. Before and after workouts and practices, wrestlers need to eat healthily. It is very important to eat lots of protein, carbohydrates, and also hydrate of course. In wrestling, your physical health is just as important as mental health.
However, even though Roger has struggled at times, his passion for wrestling is incredibly strong. He said, “wrestling is very similar to life. It can be unfair, and you can put everything into the sport and get nothing to show for it.” I think this is a great quote to live by, as life is not always fair. But, you keep working harder and harder, and it’s all worth it in the end. Roger ended his 2016 season with a 3-8 record but ended his next season with a 6-8 record. He worked hard and believed in himself, and improved immensely.
Roger’s goal is to use his sports management degree to become an athletic director. He hopes to help student-athletes and use his experiences to help future athletes. He wants to help athletes be the best version of themselves, both physically and mentally.
Our society today dictates that men always have to be strong, show no emotion, and are always the fighter. However, it is important for men to address their mental health concerns in an honest and open way in order to flourish as both athletes and as individuals. Roger faced difficulties in body image pressure and anxiety. Wrestling was not always easy for him, however, his difficulties made him stronger and he worked hard to get where he is today. Just like Roger said, life is not always fair, but the challenges we face make us stronger, and you can do it.
Roger competing at a meet.
Comments