09/21/2026
In a conversation with a Consulting client we discussed competitors and how they help bring out your best. Don’t run from it, chase them because they will be your best assessment of progress and give you purpose every single day.
My competitors helped make me become successful, they didn’t hold me from it.
Throughout my career, I had the privilege of competing against some of the greatest wrestlers of my generation:
• Jeremy Hunter — NCAA champion and head coach at the University of Illinois. Illinois Wrestling Fighting Illini Wrestling
• Stephen Abas — Olympic silver medalist and three-time NCAA champion Stephen Abas
• Sammie Henson — Olympic silver medalist, World champion, and two-time NCAA champion
These men challenged me, exposed my weaknesses, and forced me to continually improve. When you know you must compete against athletes of this caliber, you cannot become comfortable. You have to keep learning, evolving, and finding another level within yourself.
My accomplishments may have my name attached to them, but my competitors played an important role in helping me achieve them.
They forced me to become the best version of myself and I will always respect and appreciate them for that.
Iron sharpens iron!
