My coaches were great. My mom and dad. My dad never missed a wrestling meet.

My advice to young wrestlers is that your surroundings really make a difference. You want to put yourself in good, positive surroundings.

Raising your level of performance requires a proper mentality and meaning from within. This gives you the ability and drive to work on the things necessary to go to a higher level. When people ask me how to raise their level of performance, the first thing I ask is, How important is it to you?

When I'd get tired and want to stop, I'd wonder what my next opponent was doing. I'd wonder if he was still working out. I'd tried to visualize him. When I could see him working, I'd start pushing myself. When I could see him in the shower, I'd push myself harder.

A lot of my intensity in wrestling was due to my mental preparation before the matches. I got myself into a different world.

I went to college. I had a double major in biology and physical education, but my major was wrestling.

You don't really measure the year until the whole year is done. I'm sure there are some concerned people, including the coaches right now.