Starting wrestling can feel intimidating — especially if you’ve never stepped on the mat before. But here’s the truth: no one walks into their first practice knowing everything.At your first wrestling practice, you’ll learn the basics, meet supportive teammates, and realize that everyone starts somewhere. You don’t need to already be strong, confident, or experienced to begin. You just need the courage to show up.

Not every wrestling journey feels confident or successful all the time.There are days where you feel behind, doubt yourself, or wonder if you should quit altogether. But those moments don’t mean you’re failing — they’re part of the process.The athletes who grow the most usually aren’t the ones who never struggled. They’re the ones who kept showing up anyway.Because sometimes the biggest win isn’t getting everything right. It’s refusing to give up on yourself.

A lot of girls grow up feeling like they need to be smaller, quieter, or take up less space. Wrestling teaches the opposite. It shifts the focus from how your body looks to what your body can do — becoming stronger, more confident, and more resilient with every practice. Over time, that strength starts showing up everywhere: in school, friendships, challenges, and the way you see yourself. Because strong isn’t just physical. It’s a mindset.

For a lot of girls, wrestling can feel intimidating at first. You might feel nervous, inexperienced, or like everyone else already knows what they’re doing. But every wrestler starts somewhere — and confidence doesn’t come before you begin, it comes after. Wrestling isn’t about being perfect right away. It’s about showing up, trying anyway, and discovering you’re capable of more than you thought. Sometimes growth starts with simply stepping onto the mat.

Gen shares her wrestling journey—from high school beginnings to the 2016 Olympic Trials—highlighting resilience, mindset, and empowering the next generation of girls in sport.

Read more about our partnership with Jumpstart and how together we’re helping girls grow through sport this year.

Discover how BTS is closing employment gaps through its innovative Work It Girl program: combining combat sports with hands-on games that build confidence, leadership, and real-world job skills. With support from the MLSE Foundation, 80 low-income girls are developing 21st-century skills and preparing for success in the workforce.