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Wrestling Changed My Life (Wrestling Podcast)

#318 David Taylor - Olympic Champion Talks NCAA Rules, Yazdani Rivalry and Tokyo

Wrestling Changed My Life (Wrestling Podcast)

Wrestling Changed My Life

Sports

4.91.1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 March 2022

⏱️ 69 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

David Taylor is an Olympic Champion, World Champion and 2x NCAA Champion for Cael Sanderson at Penn State. In this episode, David talks about the Big 10 conference, proposed rule changes to collegiate style, coaching at M2 Training Center and winning an Olympic Gold Medal. He also talks about his rivalry with Yazdani Charati from Iran. To register for an M2 summer camp, visit M2TrainingCenter.com. * PRESENTED BY SPARTAN COMBAT This episode is brought to you by Spartan Combat. The Spartan Nationals are taking place this April 8-10 in Jacksonville Florida. Wrestle a different style each day and compete for one of the coolest trophies in the game at the Spartan Nationals. Register now! * FANS If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews! * FOLLOW the PODCAST Twitter: @Ryan_N_Warner Instagram: Wrestling Changed My Life Facebook: Wrestling Changed My Life Website: wrestlingchangedmylife.com Shop merchandise at our Online Store: Store.WrestlingChangedMyLife.com *** ABOUT Presented by Spartan Combat, the Wrestling Changed My Life Podcast features long-form interviews with amateur wrestlers - past and current - MMA fighters and titans of industry. New episodes are released every Monday and Wednesday, where host Ryan Warner talks college wrestling, Olympic wrestling and more with some of the biggest names in the sport. Wrestling Changed My Life also produces original audio documentaries including Slaying Saitiev, The Smiths and Gable the GOAT.

Transcript

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0:00.0

If you're going to the NCAA tournament next week in Detroit, Michigan, make sure you stop by our happy hour.

0:06.0

It's taking place Thursday, March 17th in between session one and session two at Hockey Town Cafe.

0:16.0

It's a sports bar within walking distance to Little Caesars Arena.

0:19.0

We're hosting it with stalemates.

0:21.0

We'll have an open tab. We'll have some merch. We'll have a lot of good laughs. Good fun.

0:26.0

Next Thursday, be there or be square. Now let's get to the episode with Olympic champion, David Taylor.

0:34.0

I was just on a different level at that tournament. The whole thing, you know, in preparation.

0:39.0

When I got there, I was just, I had checked every box in preparation.

0:43.0

So there was no doubt in my mind.

0:47.0

We can adore anything and adapt and pivot and change.

0:54.0

Refling gave us that ability.

0:56.0

I would say nothing in life has impacted me or the things Rafsen has taught me in terms of self-reflection, resilience.

1:04.0

Toughness. Some guys have it, some guys don't.

1:07.0

Adversity, 100%, how to pick myself up and be a man after I failed.

1:13.0

And everything that has shaped my life and where I'm at today would not be there without the values and basically the lessons I've learned to the sport of wrestling.

1:23.0

For me, wrestling is saying a life because it allowed me to focus and channel my energy.

1:30.0

We're fortunate if you wrestled because if you wrestled, natural talent helps.

1:36.0

But it's 5% of the ingredient. It pales in comparison to heart and technique and effort.

1:44.0

It humbled me, taught me humility. Nothing can humble you more than wrestling.

1:50.0

I think it's the learning to adapt, right? You learn how to adapt. You learn how to solve problems.

1:56.0

You know, if I look back my time, that's good wrestling. If you give me one thing more than anything else, it's mental toughness.

2:02.0

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Wrestling Change My Life podcast.

...

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