January 12, 2021
#152 – Dan Gable: Olympic Wrestling, Mental Toughness & The Making Of Champions | Lex Fridman Podcast
Key Takeaways
- Study with the best in the world but don’t get so fixated on them that you don’t believe you can beat them
- Hard work and science beat luck
- To be a great coach outwork and outthink your athletes: first in, last out
- Coaching isn’t just what you know about the sport; it’s also what you know about your athletes
- Fear gives the better athlete the edge
Introduction
Dan Gable (@DannyGable) is an American wrestler, coach, and ambassador. He is two-time NCAA champion for ISU, World and Olympic gold medalist for the USA, 15-time NCAA Championship coach for Iowa.
In this episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast, Lex and guest Dan Gable discuss what made Dan a great athlete and coach, relive past Olympic experiences, and using pain and anger in productive ways.
Host: Lex Fridman (@lexfridman)
Book: A Wrestling Life by Dan Gable
Becoming An Artist Of Your Craft
- Study the science of your sport, study with the best in the world
- “The impossible is possible.” – Dan Gable
- Record performances change because knowledge and technology changes
- Review losses with a critical eye and make the adjustments
- Visualize being the best
- Take scientific, calculated risks
- Hard work and science beat luck
- Be ok with changing training philosophies and practices
- Study the best but don’t get so fixated you don’t believe you can beat them
- The discipline it takes to be a great athlete translates to success in other areas of life
Being A Great Coach
- Outwork and outthink your athletes: first in, last out, analysis of athletes
- React to mistakes before they become casualties and you lose the athlete
- “It’s not just what you know, it’s what you know about them.” – Dan Gable
- Listen and take in information about athletes
- Get athletes in a non-training atmosphere they feel comfortable and they will open up about other aspects of their life and allow you in
- Athletes face real challenges: it doesn’t take a big leap for losing to turn into despair, feeling of failure, and depression
The Role Of Fear In Sports
- Fear gives the better athlete the edge
- There is a real fear of facing someone better than you on paper
- Some athletes thrive on fear
- Don’t make mistakes: preparation puts fear to rest
Pushing To The Limit
- Athletes and coaches understand the need to work to the limit
- Outsiders want to pump the breaks sooner than necessary
- For better and worse, coaches can’t publicly push athletes the same way they used to
- You need to see your limits to push yourself and get better
Managing Pain And Anger
- You can do it alone, but why?
- There’s a fine line: anger can be fuel as long as it’s controlled
- Sometimes pain and anger can come out when you don’t expect it
- Emotions can be triggered by the setting
- Pain and anger can make you better if used correctly
