Wrestling, Resilience, and Purpose: Gen’s Path to the Olympic Trials
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GirlsCan raising a new generation of empowered coaches and athletes!
Sometimes, life’s biggest passions start unexpectedly. For Gen, wrestling began in grade 9, after moving to a new school in New Brunswick. She’d grown up in gymnastics and soccer, but when she saw wrestling in gym class and was invited to try out for the team, she went along — just to make friends.
“I fell in love with wrestling immediately — from the technical challenges to the high-adrenaline competition. It was love at first sight.”
And that love turned into a lifelong journey.
Growth Through Change
Gen’s career wasn’t a straight path. Moving provinces, meeting new coaches, and joining different teams all challenged her to adapt and grow.
“It’s the day-to-day relationships, small adjustments, and mentors who shaped me. The big highlights — championships, podiums, trials — came from consistent effort and support.”
University in Calgary pushed her even further, surrounding her with Canada’s top female wrestlers. Competing alongside world-class athletes helped her build confidence, resilience, and deep bonds with teammates.
The 2016 Olympic Trials: Triumph & Heartbreak
2016 was a dream season. After winning her first national championship and performing well internationally, Gen entered the Olympic Trials ready to make the team.
She missed it by just two points.
“It was painful, but it taught me perspective. Your value isn’t in wins or losses. The journey, growth, and relationships matter just as much.”
Seeing a teammate secure her Olympic spot that same day was bittersweet, yet Gen celebrated the achievement as a collective victory — proof of the team’s shared effort and culture.
Grace and Mindset
Gen’s sportsmanship didn’t come by chance — it was cultivated over years of personal growth.
“Losing is never easy, but it’s a chance to grow — to develop gratitude, empathy, and perspective. Being fully present, even in tough moments, is what counts.”
Giving Back: Mentorship & Empowerment
After the trials, Gen moved to Toronto and began coaching young athletes, sharing her passion and experience.
“It’s about more than technique. It’s about creating spaces where girls can be themselves, explore their strengths, and have fun. Sport should be empowering, playful, and authentic.”
She models confidence, humility, and authenticity, helping girls define success on their own terms.
“Strong, driven, empowered, and playful — all of that can coexist. That’s what I try to pass on to the next generation.”
Lessons from Gen’s Journey
Growth comes from challenges, relationships, and showing up every day.
Perspective matters — your worth isn’t defined by wins or losses.
Empowerment is key — lifting others as you rise leaves a lasting impact.
Enjoy the process. Play. Be authentic.
Gen’s story shows that the real rewards of sport go beyond medals — they’re in resilience, relationships, and the chance to inspire the next generation.
About Beat the Streets:
At Beat the Streets, our mission is to advance the education of low-income children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area through fun and unique wrestling, life skills, and employment-based development programs. Since 2015, we have served over 28,000 young individuals through our Wrestle 4 Fun, Level Up, You Grow Girl, Work it Girl, After-School and Open Mat Sessions programs, providing them with opportunities to develop their physical, mental, and social well-being. We believe in empowering the next generation by breaking down barriers and creating pathways to success.
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