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Your Wrestler Needs A Code

Your Wrestler Needs A Code

I often get asked how do I keep my boys motivated. How do I teach them to handle so much on their plate? Why does it seem like your boys want to work hard? How do I keep them from burning out? Isn't it suppose to be all about fun? And on and on. So I am giving you my framework on the "Whitted Mindset". There are two components to developing a mindset. You need both spoken word and physical training. Below I will try to bring the two together as a tool you can use. I hope it answers a lot of your questions, and or you at least find one thing you can take away from it.

I. THE FOUNDATION: A MAN MUST LIVE BY A CODE

Core Principle
A man without a code is a slave to emotion, comfort, fear, and social pressure.
A man with a code has pre-decided answers to life’s hardest questions.

Why the Code Matters (Psychology + Scripture)

  • In high-stress situations (matches, losses, fatigue, fear), the brain defaults to pre-programmed behavior.
  • A code removes ambiguity and decision fatigue.
  • The best warriors always had a code:
    • Samurai – Bushido
    • Navy SEALs – Creed
    • Biblical warriors – Covenant law
    • Jesus – Total obedience to the Father

Biblical Anchors

  • “Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
  • “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” (Matthew 5:37)
  • “Write the vision; make it plain.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

II. THE FAMILY WARRIOR CODE

When my boys were 5 years or younger we started saying a family prayer every night at bedtime. I intentionally built our code into the prayer so they would never forget.

“Dear Lord, please give us strength, wisdom, and patience
to always love, always do our best, never lie, and never give up.”


It’s a contract with God and a daily identity rehearsal.

III. THE THREE INNER ATTRIBUTES (THE ENGINE)

These are not soft traits. They are combat attributes.

1. Strength – Mental, Spiritual, and Physical

Meaning
The capacity to endure pain, resist fear, and keep moving when quitting feels logical.

Psychological Truth
Strength is trained through repeated exposure to discomfort.
Confidence comes from proof, not affirmations.

Biblical Anchors

  • “The Lord is my strength and my shield.” (Psalm 28:7)
  • “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you.” (Joshua 1:9)
  • “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1)

2. Wisdom (education + experience) – God’s Game Plan

Meaning
Not intelligence.
Not talent.
Not cleverness.
Wisdom is alignment with God’s order and strategy.

Psychological Truth
Effort without direction wastes energy.
Discipline without wisdom becomes self-destruction.

Biblical Anchors

  • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.” (James 1:5)
  • “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
  • “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” (Proverbs 21:5)

3. Patience – The Capacity to Stay in the Fight

Meaning
The ability to endure boredom, delay, pain, setbacks, and slow progress. There are no shortcuts to maximal potential.

Psychological Truth
Most people quit because results don’t arrive fast enough.
Patience separates long-term winners from emotionally fragile men.

Biblical Anchors

  • “Let endurance have its full effect.” (James 1:4)
  • “Good things come to those who wait.” (Isaiah 40:31)
  • “Do not grow weary in doing good.” (Galatians 6:9)

IV. THE FOUR NON-NEGOTIABLE LAWS (THE CODE)

These are black and white.
No loopholes.
No mood exceptions.

LAW 1 — ALWAYS LOVE

Meaning
Love is not weakness.
Love is the strongest combat fuel that exists.

Warriors will endure anything for who they love.

Psychological Truth
Meaning-driven effort outperforms ego-driven effort. Don't selfishly do everything for yourself. It is not a strong enough pull. Wrestlers need to feel the overwhelming urge to honor God, their parents, their coaches, their teammates with maximal effort.

Biblical Anchors

  • “Greater love has no man than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
  • “Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)
  • “Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

LAW 2 — ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

Meaning
Not “try hard.”
Not “pretty good.”
Not “what feels comfortable.”

Your best means:

  • No comfort-seeking
  • No conserving energy
  • No holding back
  • No excuses

Psychological Truth
The brain lies to avoid pain.
Elite performance requires overriding the "comfort" instinct.

Biblical Anchors

  • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23)
  • “Cursed is the one who does the Lord’s work negligently.” (Jeremiah 48:10)

LAW 3 — NEVER LIE

Meaning
Never lie to:

  • Others
  • God
  • Yourself

If you say you want to be a champion but train like a tourist — you are lying. You don't want to be a champion.

Psychological Truth
Self-deception destroys potential.
Truth creates feedback loops that force growth. "Do I want to be a champion? Yes. Then should I train with maxiaml effort and focus today? Yes"

Biblical Anchors

  • “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
  • “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” (Psalm 139:23)

LAW 4 — NEVER GIVE UP

Meaning
You can lose battles.
You never quit the war.

You have one mode:
ALL IN.

No shrinking when you think your oppenent is better. Charge forward.
No psychological retreat.
No passive wrestling.

Psychological Truth
Quitting creates a neurological habit.
So does endurance.

Biblical Anchors

  • “Though I fall, I will rise.” (Micah 7:8)
  • “Do not throw away your confidence.” (Hebrews 10:35)
  • “He who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)

V. THE WARRIOR OPERATING MODE

Single Mode: ALL IN

  • Every match = masterpiece attempt
  • Every drill = sacred work
  • Every rep = vote for the man you’re becoming
  • Every opponent = dragon to be slain
  • No shrinking = paint your masterpiece
  • No coasting = no waiting, go get it
  • No emotional collapse = feelings don't change your actions

Biblical Anchors

  • “Run in such a way as to win.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
  • “Fight the good fight.” (1 Timothy 6:12)

VI. HOW THIS MINDSET IS BUILT (NOT TALKED ABOUT)

1. Scripture = Mental Software

You install God’s wisdom into your decision-making system.

Daily exposure

  • Proverbs
  • Psalms
  • Gospels
  • Letters of Paul

2. Hard Physical Training = Mind Training

This is not fitness.
This is neurological conditioning.

Every hard workout:

  • Proves your mind can override pain
  • Reprograms your identity
  • Builds self-trust
  • Creates resilience

Biblical Anchors

  • “Physical training is of some value.” (1 Timothy 4:8)
  • “I discipline my body and make it my slave.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)

3. Progressive Suffering (PR Culture)

Constant exposure to:

  • New weights
  • New conditioning thresholds
  • New skills
  • New discomfort levels

This trains:

  • Courage
  • Determination
  • Confidence
  • Obedience

VII. THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY

Meaning
If God gave you:

  • Talent
  • Strength
  • Opportunity
  • Coaching
  • Support

Then more is required from you.

Biblical Anchors

  • “To whom much is given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48)
  • “To everyone who has, more will be given.” (Matthew 25:29)

VIII. SUMMARY: THE WARRIOR MINDSET FRAMEWORK

1. Live by a code
No gray zones. No mood exceptions.

2. Build inner attributes
Strength. Wisdom. Patience.

3. Obey the four laws
Always love.
Always do your best.
Never lie.
Never give up.

4. Operate in ALL-IN mode
No shrinking. No coasting.

5. Train your mind through your body
Hard things daily. Progressive suffering.

6. Anchor everything in God
Scripture. Prayer. Obedience.