Each year, Liberty Mutual Insurance hosts a video shoot of elite wrestling athletes and coaches as part of its commitment to the sport as a USA Wrestling official sponsor. 

Last year at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Iowa City, Liberty Mutual conducted the 2nd annual Responsible Sports Testimonial video shoot with elite athletes and coaches. The 3rd annual video shoot took place at the United States Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Friday, August 23.

The Responsible Sports video crew was joined by 10 of USA Wrestling’s most prominent athletes and coaches. Olympic Gold Medalist Brandon Slay, USA Wrestling’s Assistant National Freestyle Coach, was one of the featured wrestlers included in the testimonial. 

Slay was joined by 4-time NCAA Division I Champion Kyle Dake and eight other elite athletes and coaches to discuss the importance of the life lessons that can be learned on the mat as well as to give advice for parents and coaches of youth wrestlers. Each athlete or coach was asked a number of questions regarding their experiences as a youth wrestler and about their journey to the elite ranks. They reflected on the hardships they have faced and overcome while also bestowing valuable advice about how to get the most out of youth athletes while making sure they are still having fun.

Topics included goal setting, handling pressure, moving on after a tough loss, how to continue learning and striving to be better, as well as reflections on past coaches and how their parents helped them along the way.  All of the athletes and coaches stressed the importance of having fun as a young wrestler. They advised parents to make sure that their kids are having fun otherwise they will never learn to love the sport and completely embrace it. Another ideal that multiple wrestlers shared was the importance of goal setting. They articulated if you do not set goals then it is hard to know exactly why you are putting in all of this time and effort. They talked about the effectiveness of setting small daily goals as well as long-term bigger picture aspirations to strive for. 

The information in the videos is extremely informative and will benefit many individuals within the wrestling community. The videos will appear on ResponsibleSports.com. Whether you are a youth wrestler, parent, or a coach, there will be lessons from these experienced and knowledgeable athletes and coaches that can help you. 

In addition to this year’s group of athletes past testimonials have been given by Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs, Olympic Bronze Medalist Clarissa Chun and many other Olympians and sport legends. Responsible Sports is committed to helping share the knowledge and wisdom of elite athletes and coaches to those participating and involved in youth athletics everywhere. 

At Liberty Mutual Insurance, we constantly look for ways to celebrate the countless acts of responsibility shown by people every day who take personal ownership in ensuring positive outcomes in life. In 2007, we created Responsible Sports as part of this belief, to help ensure that our kids experience the best that sports have to offer in environments that promote and display responsibility. We believe kids can learn valuable life lessons when Responsible Coaches and Responsible Sport Parents come together to support winning both on and off-the-field. Come join the Responsible Sports movement!