Leadership Lessons from the Mat That Work Just as Well in Business
If you’ve ever wrestled, you know what it feels like to be completely exposed. There’s nowhere to hide, no one to blame, and every mistake shows up in real time.
That’s leadership in a nutshell.
I learned that lesson years ago on a wrestling mat, and I keep learning it every day in business. It’s why I’m proud to be a new Steward with the Living the Dream Medal Fund. The Fund supports U.S. wrestlers who earn medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games, rewarding years of dedication, sacrifice, and relentless drive.
But what really inspires me about this Fund isn’t the medals or even the money.
It’s the mindset.
Because the same mindset that builds a world champion on the mat can build an unstoppable leader in business.
Lesson 1: You can’t fake preparation
In wrestling, you can tell in the first thirty seconds who put in the work.
Leadership’s the same way. The people who prepare (who study, who ask questions, who do the small reps no one sees), those are the ones who rise when things get hard.
It’s easy to say “I’ll handle it when it comes up.” But champions don’t wing it. They prepare like they’ve already won.
If you’re running a business, that means having a plan. Not just for growth, no, but for who you’re becoming as a leader. Remember - leadership isn’t something you improvise. It’s something you build.
Lesson 2: You will get knocked down
Wrestling taught me how to lose, and how to use it.
In sports, losses are visible. Everyone sees them. But in business, we tend to hide them. We act like everything’s fine when it’s not. The truth? Great leaders don’t hide their losses; they learn from them faster.
Every time I’ve fallen flat, whether it be in business, in leadership, or in life - it’s been because I was trying to do it all myself. The smartest thing I’ve learned is to surround myself with people who make me better. That’s also what the Living the Dream Medal Fund represents. It’s not just about rewarding the athlete, it’s about recognizing the coaches, teammates, and community that make winning possible. Leadership is a team sport, even if you’re the one out front.
Lesson 3: Stay humble when you win
Here’s something I’ve seen both on the mat and in the boardroom: Success is the most dangerous opponent you’ll ever face.
When you win, you relax. You stop training. You start believing your own press. That’s when your edge dulls.
I’ve coached a lot of business owners who built something great, and then plateaued because they forgot what got them there. Humility keeps you growing. Ego keeps you stuck.
The best leaders I know stay curious. They stay coachable. They never stop learning. Because leadership, just like wrestling, is about improvement - not perfection.
Lesson 4: You can’t do this halfway
There’s no halfway in wrestling. You’re either all in, or you’re on your back.
Leadership’s the same. You can’t kind of care about your people. You can’t halfway commit to your vision. You either step into the arena and lead, or you don’t.
That’s why I admire what the Living the Dream Medal Fund stands for. It celebrates those who commit fully - not because it’s easy, but because they believe in something bigger. And that’s what every small business owner should remember: You’re not just leading a company. You’re building a legacy.
So what’s your arena?
Maybe you’re not wearing headgear anymore. Maybe your battles look like payroll, marketing, and hiring decisions. But the principle’s the same: You’re in a fight worth showing up for.
And whether you’re a one-person shop or leading a growing team, leadership is the lever that changes everything.
So if you’re ready to find your edge again, to get back to being intentional, focused, and confident in your next moves, take my Leadership Assessment. It’s completely free, and it’ll give you clarity on where you stand and where to go next.
Because leadership isn’t a title. It’s a choice. It’s not given; it’s earned every single day, just like a wrestler earning every point on the mat. The Living the Dream Medal Fund celebrates those who refuse to quit. I want to help you become one of them: in business, in life, and in leadership.
So step into your arena. The world doesn’t need perfect leaders. It needs present ones.
