[09AUG2019]
“”Being inspired is fine for a week, and being motivated might work for a month or so, but
to make any lifestyle change last a lifetime, you need dedication.”
~ John Bingham, runner
Sometimes, the various forces (both real and imagined) in the universe align in such a way that the path forward is undeniable. A metallic click echoes through thought, like a switchblade through the brain, as motivation is greeted by Occam’s Razor. Such was the case this morning, as I was amazed to find the quote above because it was a perfect fit for something which has occupied my thoughts in recent weeks. Many (including myself) have spent time focusing on the importance of having the courage to attempt something and take the first step, but rare is the thought toward the importance of the second step –what I call having “Day 2 Passion.”
For me, despite the challenges, surviving my first step into the world of professional wrestling was easier than some of the days I have endured since then. I was excited on that first day; my emotions were high, and my adrenaline carried me through. My day one passion burned hot because I am a fan, and the novelty of stepping through the ropes of a wrestling ring propelled me forward.
However, while it may be true that every journey begins with the first step, day two was when I struggled to turn off my alarm clock because my neck was so stiff and tight that sitting up from my pillow was difficult. Day two was when every impact endured from the bumps on day one were felt, deep inside the muscles of my shoulders and back. That could have been it for me. I could have opened my eyes just long enough to mentally check the box of wrestling having been something I tried before going back to sleep. I could have simply stayed snuggled safely and securely in my bed on day two and been happy to tell people, “yep, I once attended a pro wrestling school; I was in the ring.”
I have seen that be the scenario for aspiring wrestlers. A guy or gal comes to day one, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but –assuming they show up at all— they start to taper off on day two. The prospect of hitting the mat again –now that the physical reality has started to set in— starts to weigh on their mine; they hem and haw about completing a training drill or attempting to learn a move. Eventually, they float toward the fringe edges of the far turnbuckle, and they might as well already be out the door. I have seen it happen.
On some level, I can understand it. As said, once the adrenaline and novelty-born excitement from day one starts to die down, the soreness and pain sets in. Wrestling is certainly not an easy industry. Washing out happens. Trust me, I understand; I had a plethora of persuasive and cogent motivations for wanting to stay in bed that second day. As I swiped my thumb across my Samsung to silence the jubilant jingle, I looked down at the alluring feminine figure from the night before sleepily splayed across, with her head on my chest, and the idea of subjecting my already sore body to another day of hard-hitting wrestling had to compete with a soft voicing telling me to stay in bed. Without honestly wanting my first step to tangibly lead somewhere; without having a desire to do something of substance; without having Day 2 Passion, I would not be where I am now, with the prodigious progress I have made toward a dream.
In the grand scheme of things, “day two” may not always be day two for everyone. Some linger for longer, becoming more lackadaisical and ethereal with each passing week; their motivation being about having a small kernel of truth behind the ability to tell a small collection of friends and family that they are wrestlers rather than being about being able to go in front of a crowd and show people they have put in the time and effort to be called a professional. With the possible exception of one case I have met (which has somehow convinced his own ego and a small collection of other people that they should pay for the snake oil he peddles as actual wrestling knowledge and skill,) I believe the substance which comes from putting in the work will win out over just showing up and lingering. By all means, the first step of showing up is important, but, without the second step of having the motivation to put in the work and keep going, even the most well-intentioned journey never reaches a worthwhile destination. Without Sam’s perseverance to push on, does Frodo ever reach Mount Doom?
For myself, “day two” has been a lot of days. Day two was the scenario mentioned earlier, but “day two” was also being so frustrated with myself over feeling as though I would never get something right that I literally broke down into tears. “Day two” was being clotheslined in the throat and not being able to swallow food properly for the several weeks which followed. “Day two” was sitting on my couch in dismay and running my fingers through my hair as I contemplated what the odds were that my washer, dryer, and television would all stop working properly at a time when I was in the process of purchasing wrestling gear. Having motivation on the first day is easy, but having the passion, drive, and desire –Day 2 Passion— to keep going when things hurt, when life starts to suck a little, and when you need to push beyond what is comfortable is an entirely different animal.
However, the perseverance and passion to want more during every one of those “day two” moments has been rewarded with a “day three” in which I got the seeminglyimpossible thing right and grew as a person and as a wrestler. Day one might be about being there, but day two is about showing up after things start to hurt, the situation is not ideal, or the decision is hard; that is the difference between a person saying they are something and a person genuinely being something; that is the difference between a person achieving a dream and a person being content to talk about what they wish they had done.
Yes, there are circumstances in which a person puts in the hard work, and things still do not work out. That is the unfortunate reality –both in wrestling and in life. Though, at the end of the day and regardless of whether the result is success or not, the truth concerning whether a person put in honest effort or merely said they did is something only they can answer. But, if you have a dream, and you really want it, “day 2 passion” will be a part of what you need to get there.
If your dream happens to be to be entertained by the amazing action, exceptional excitement, and daring drama of Imagine Wrestling, you are in luck. After last month’s incredible Rolling Thunder show in Johnstown (featuring an appearance by Road Warrior Animal, Jimi The Hippie hitting a moonsault from atop a monster truck tire, and a title defense by Chris LeRusso, and more,) Imagine Wrestling Volume 4 brings the action back to Altoona, Pennsylvania on Saturday, August 24th. Imagine Wrestling Volume 4 will be live at the Juniata Civic Association: 206 West 12th Ave, Altoona, Pa 16601. I can’t imagine missing it.
To purchase tickets head over to https://imaginewrestling.com/buy-tickets/
Written by Imagine Wrestling trainee Johnny Dibert
You must be logged in to post a comment Login