I Found Myself at Wrestling Camp

Most girls don’t pay money to roll around on the ground with sweaty guys. Yet that is exactly what I did this last July. No, it’s not what you’re thinking; I went to wrestling camp. Wrestling is a sport that I’ve always wanted to try, but my shyness and insecurity held me back. This year I decided that I will no longer allow other people’s opinions affect my own decisions. Joining wrestling is the first major step I’m taking to change my life.

“You want to do…wrestling? As in…wrestle?” This is the initial reaction I got from Coach McGuffin when I told him I wanted to wrestle this next winter. Not exactly the level of enthusiasm I was looking for. His demeanor changed in a couple moments though, and he suggested that I go to camp in the summer. I signed the papers, and a month later I was headed to K&K wrestling camp in Leavenworth.

When we first arrived I’d thought we’d taken a wrong turn and went to a traveling gypsy convention by mistake. The whole field outside the school was filled with tents of various sizes and colors. 200 wrestlers, about thirty of which were girls, filtered about the area. As my soon-to-be teammates and I headed to the first practice, anxiety gnawed at my stomach like a dog with a bone (FL). I wanted to impress everybody, and prove that I could make it in this sport. Before we started, the coach patted me on the shoulder. “I’ve got your back all right.” he told me. I smiled and nodded. At least one person was looking out for me.

To say that practice was physically demanding is an understatement. We had to run around, jump over people, and carry people while we ran around and jumped over people. The fluorescent lights circled around me like a disco ball (sight), and I tasted metal as I pushed myself ...

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...d in so many bruises it resembled a pepperoni pizza, and I looked like a needed a skin graft for all the mat burn on my face. My whole body was so sore it felt like Jon Bon Jovi had taken my muscles, used them to string a guitar, and then performed a ten minute solo with them (touch). It felt strangely satisfying though, like I’d emerged victorious from an epic battle. My confidence was no longer a figment of my imagination, and I was psyched for the upcoming season.

All my life I’ve been quiet and inhibited. All my life I’ve regretted not saying or doing things because of my self-doubt. Camp made me realize that as long as I have the determination, I can accomplish anything. Wrestling camp was difficult, nerve-wracking, painful, and most of all, fun. But the best part is that now, after nearly seventeen years of shyness, I’m finally breaking out of my shell.