With: Kyle Snyder
As the season begins, the difference between stepping on the podium and standing at the top comes down to what you give. Every wrestler starts somewhere, and even those who have gone on to win World and Olympic titles once had the same goal as every high school competitor: to become a State Champion. The grind, the sacrifices, and the focus required to reach that level are universal, no matter how far an athlete eventually goes.
To help wrestlers prepare for the season and understand what it takes to stand atop the podium, we asked Kyle Snyder, a three-time Maryland State Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and four-time World Champion. Kyle’s journey from the state mat to the world stage offers lessons on mindset, discipline, and preparation; lessons every wrestler can apply this season.
1. Get the Most Out of Your Practice
4 practical ways to get the most out of your practices:
-
Ask the toughest person in your room to be your training partner
-
Ask a coach one question before you are finished training.
-
Have a plan for what you are going to focus on in every practice.
-
Execute 10-20 reps after each practice in an area of weakness.
Preparation isn’t just about showing up; it’s about how you show up. These strategies ensure that every practice is intentional, productive, and builds the skills that matter the most on the mat. Look at every opportunity as a chance to get better.
2. Performing at Your Peak
Dominate the battle within:
-
Search within to face your fears.
-
Challenge your limitations.
-
The outer performance mirrors your internal connection
Reaching and performing at your peak is not just physical; it comes with facing internal challenges and pushing through. Understanding yourself, confronting weakness, and embracing the challenge of growth creates wrestlers who can perform consistently at a high level.
3. Dominate on the mat
To better control your opponent, you must BE:
-
Better conditioned.
-
Stronger.
-
Very dangerous defensively.
-
Aggressive throughout the entire match.
In order to control the match, you must control your opponent. These traits aren’t innate; they’re developed through hard work, repetition, and an aggressive but smart approach to wrestling. For young athletes chasing state titles, developing these characteristics consistently is key.
4. Value Rest and Recovery
4 practical ways to improve off the mat:
-
8 hours of sleep every night.
-
Wake up early and pray.
-
Consistently go to bed at the same weight every night.
-
Drink the same amount of water every day.
Championship preparation doesn’t stop when the last whistle blows. Discipline, consistency, and a focus on serving others are habits that compound over time, shaping athletes into champions both on and off the mat. A machine is only as good as the parts that make it run; fuel the machine.
It Takes What It Takes
Becoming a state champion requires more than talent; it requires discipline, humility, focus, and a relentless commitment to improvement. Kyle Snyder’s advice illustrates that the journey to the top is built one practice, one habit, and one mindset shift at a time. Whether you are stepping on the mat for your first season or defending a state title, embracing these principles will give you the best chance to not just reach the podium, but stand at the very top.
