How God Transformed My Heart Through Wrestling
Images by Tony Rotundo
At 16 years old, I was a confused sophomore in high school. I was struggling to settle on a clear vision for my life, worried about fitting in, and constantly stuck with indecision. I didn’t feel confident in who I was, and I certainly didn’t think I’d end up becoming a professional wrestler for Team USA.
And yet, here I am.
But the path here hasn’t been linear. It’s been full of uncertainty, painful setbacks, and moments of deep questioning. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: God has been with me every step of the way, even in the depths of my sorrows.
Where My Faith Journey Began
Before wrestling ever entered the picture, I was wrestling with life and uncertainty. My dad was murdered when I was just seven years old. It was an unfathomable loss that completely shattered my understanding of the world as I knew it. It was through this tragedy that I was first introduced to the love of a Heavenly Father. My mom, through her Catholic faith, helped me begin to see that in the absence of my earthly father, I had a Heavenly Father who would never abandon me. She helped to realize that I could unite my pain to him and also still be connected to my earthly father through him.
That theme, trusting God in the unknown, has followed me ever since.
One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 6:8: “Your Father knows what you need before you even ask.” It’s a promise I’ve seen come to life again and again… like the time I didn’t make the JV basketball team and ended up walking into a wrestling practice instead. I had no idea how much that moment would change my life. I couldn’t have planned it, but God knew what He was doing. He knew what I needed.
When Wrestling Became a Ministry
Wrestling quickly became more than a sport, it became a vehicle for growth, healing, and total transformation. It opened doors I never expected, including a college education, the ability to travel the world, and a restored confidence in self. I finally felt exceptional at something.
But as success grew, so did my obsession with winning. Towards the end of my college career, I got to a point where I cared more about protecting my ego than walking humbly with the Lord. I tied my worth to my performance. I wrestled with wanting to surrender my life to Christ but also wanting to be the best at wrestling, I couldn’t see a world where they both existed. It wasn’t until a mentor reminded me, “Your sport can be your ministry if you surrender it,” that my perspective began to shift.
This shift of perspective changed everything for me.
I started training differently, not just for myself, but as an offering. I’d pray through tough workouts, offer up the pain of the most difficult practices as a sacrifice, and intentionally seek God in my preparation. The mat became a place of worship. It was no longer about proving myself; it was about pleasing God with my heart, no matter the outcome.
When Life Didn’t Go As Planned
In 2021, I tore my ACL and meniscus and didn’t make Team USA. It was devastating. I hadn’t realized that so much of my identity was still tied to wrestling until it was suddenly taken away for two years. Watching others come back in six to nine months while I faced many setbacks and multiple surgeries was heartbreaking. I felt confused, disappointed, and angry with God.
But in that season of stillness, He was doing something deeper. God wasn’t asking me to perform; He was asking me to trust. I had to let go of what I thought my life “should” look like and surrender to His plan again. I started to learn that surrender is an everyday choice, not a one and done deal.
It became clear to me that I was still clinging to results and a specific outcome for my life. God showed me that in order to serve him, I would have to detach myself. Through the grueling process of making my way back to competing, God showed me a new way of training and living. He showed me that I was still whole, with or without wrestling.
Faith + Sport: A Lifelong Journey
Wrestling has taught me how to endure, how to lead, and how to surrender. It’s also taught me that uncertainty is not something to fear, it’s something to bring to God.
Whether you’re an athlete, student, or just someone trying to figure out your next step, I want you to know this:
God knows what you need before you even ask.
He’s not waiting for you to have it all figured out. He’s just waiting for you to bring your heart.
Take the Next Step
If any part of my story resonates with you, if you’ve ever wrestled with your identity, your future, or your faith, I want you to know: this didn’t happen overnight.
I learned to train my mind just like I trained my body. I had to learn to surrender daily, to let go of control, to bring my fears and desires to God.
I’m not perfect, and thankfully, God doesn’t expect perfection. He just wants our hearts.
While it still takes daily commitment, I now compete with so much more freedom and joy. Wrestling is fun again. And because I’m not chasing validation through wins or titles, I actually show up more consistently, with a clear mind and an open heart. I know my worth isn’t tied to my results and that’s the kind of freedom I want for you too.
That’s why I created my Faith-Filled Athlete Journal. Inside, I share mindset tools, scripture reflections, and journal prompts that helped me get here, tools that will help you strengthen your faith, steady your mindset, and anchor your identity in something unshakable.
👉 Download the guide now and take the first step toward competing with purpose, peace, and presence.
You don’t have to figure it all out today.
You just have to take the next step and trust that He’ll meet you there.
