Girls Who Grapple: “I Almost Quit”
GirlsCan January 2026
The Hard Days in Wrestling
Not every wrestling journey is smooth.
There are tough days.
Days when:
You lose matches
You feel like you’re not improving
You compare yourself to others
And for a lot of girls, there’s a moment where they think about quitting.
It might sound like:
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m too far behind.”
“This just isn’t for me.”
Those thoughts can feel really real in the moment.
The Difference Between Quitting and Growing
But, here’s what often gets overlooked:
Most wrestlers have had those same thoughts.
The difference isn’t that some people never struggle.
It’s that some people choose to keep going anyway.
They come back to practice.
They try again.
They give themselves more time.
What Growth Actually Looks Like
And slowly, things start to change.
Maybe not all at once.
Maybe not in obvious ways.
But progress happens.
Confidence builds.
Skills improve.
And most importantly, they start to believe in themselves.
Staying Is the Real Win
Growth in wrestling doesn’t come from always winning.
It comes from:
showing up when it’s hard
pushing through self-doubt
choosing not to quit on yourself
We’ve seen girls who were once ready to walk away become some of the strongest, most confident athletes on the mat.
Not because they were naturally the best —
But because they stayed.
As Coach Braxton reflects:
“Along the way, I have faced obstacles including injuries, setbacks, and balancing the demands of athletics with school and personal growth.”
If you’re in a moment where things feel hard, you’re not alone.
If You’re Struggling Right Now
If you’re in a moment where things feel hard, you’re not alone.
And it doesn’t mean you’re not meant for this.
It might just mean you’re in the part of the journey where growth is happening.
Sometimes the biggest win is simply not giving up.
Reflection Question
Have you ever wanted to quit something but didn’t? What helped you keep going?
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.
Join us in our mission to impact youth:
Join us in making a difference by supporting our cause and learning more about how you can contribute to the education and growth of children and youth in need. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.
