A pro wrestler's guide to confidence | Mike Kinney
TED Talks Daily
TED
4.1 • 12.1K Ratings
🗓️ 23 October 2017
⏱️ 13 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
You are more than you think you are, says former pro wrestler Mike Kinney -- you just have to find what makes you unique and use it to your advantage. For years Kinney "turned up" the parts of himself that made him special as he invented and perfected his wrestling persona, Cowboy Gator Magraw. In a talk equal parts funny and smart, he brings his wisdom from the ring to everyday life, sharing how we can all live more confidently and reach our full potential.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This TED Talk features former pro wrestler Mike Kinney, recorded live at TED at UPS 2017. |
| 0:09.0 | Picture it. A big, sweaty, tattooed man in a cowboy hat and chaps is in the ring as the arena full of fans cheer him on. Their hero, cowboy Gator McGraw. |
| 0:22.5 | Gator bounces off the ropes |
| 0:23.7 | and his quickly body slammed to the mat. |
| 0:26.0 | His wild opponent leaps into the air, |
| 0:28.2 | crashing down onto Gator's rib cage. |
| 0:30.8 | Gator struggles to breathe wondering, |
| 0:33.8 | is this really what my father wanted for me? |
| 0:38.2 | That wild man in the chaps was me. |
| 0:53.3 | And the answer to the question, surprisingly, is yes. |
| 0:59.6 | I grew up watching professional wrestling with my dad. |
| 1:04.0 | And like him, I loved everything about it, the showmanship, the athletic skill, the drama. |
| 1:09.7 | I'd be this little boy bouncing all over our living room, |
| 1:13.2 | pretending to be my favorite wrestlers from TV. |
| 1:16.2 | My dad actually reminded me a little bit of Hulk Hogan, |
| 1:18.4 | but I was Hulk Hogan, and he was Andre the Giant. |
| 1:21.5 | I'd get all serious on him and say things like, Dad, |
| 1:24.3 | someday I am going to be world heavyweight champion. |
| 1:29.0 | And he would usually smile and very calmly say, |
| 1:32.8 | OK, then I guess I can count on you to be my retirement fund. |
| 1:38.5 | When I was 16, a small wrestling show came to my little town in Minnesota. |
| 1:42.1 | I couldn't believe it. |
... |
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