# @mikechandlermma on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj5YVESOoz1
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/15432632-mikechandlermma-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/2597112908.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-10-19T13:13:34.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) — https://gondola.cc/MikeChandlerMMA

## Caption

#wrestlingwednesday - this singlet is more than just a garment and more than just a uniform. It’s an anchor that reminds me of starting at the bottom, working my tail off and never being satisfied.
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In August of 2004 I started college at mizzou , I became a walk on at mizzouwrestling soon after. I’ll never forget walking into that wrestling room for the first time. Half of me was amazed, starry-eyed and excited, the other half was scared to death and felt out of place, like I didn’t deserve to be there.
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I had hopes and dreams to one day make the team and maybe even win a few matches. The initial goal was just to get to wear the singlet. To make the team, to be a “starter” at 157lbs. After a redshirt season, I accomplished that in my second year.
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Then the goal became to qualify for the NCAA national tournament. Qualify I did, but I didn’t place top 8 to become an all-American.
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I became a captain and leader on the team in year three and the momentum was building. I have my sights set on becoming an all-American. I fall short of that goal on year three and year four.
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Senior year, my fifth year of pursuing this dream of standing on the podium rolls around, it’s do or die. It’s place top 8 or spend the rest of my life hanging on the “I wish I woulda’s” and the “if only’s” -
March of 2009 I wore this exact singlet to become and All-American placing 5th at the NCAA tournament.
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I don’t write this to impress you, I write it to impress upon you that he who refuses to quit and he who makes pain his friend will most assuredly find that which he seeks.
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Guard your mind in the process, make sacrifices, build your self-image, never cut a corner, take the hard road, practice patience, exercise extreme discipline, do what others aren’t willing to do so that you can attain what they don’t deserve to accomplish. It’s ok to be great. Give yourself permission.
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Walk On.
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See you at the top!

## Stats

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## Tags

wrestlingwednesday

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