Female wrestling is on the rise, transforming the wrestling world and beyond. Despite its growing popularity, female wrestlers often face unique challenges, from financial instability to societal stigmas. This article delves into the experiences of female wrestlers, highlighting their motivations, the obstacles they overcome, and the profound benefits they gain from participating in this demanding sport.
Financial Realities and Making a Living
For many female wrestlers, making a living while pursuing their athletic dreams is a constant struggle. Amanda Martinez, a National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships finalist, exemplifies this dedication. Her daily routine involves rigorous training, coaching, and working DoorDash shifts to make ends meet.
Martinez's financial formula includes:
- $3000 to $5000 a year from club coaching
- $3500 a year from North Central
- $10,000 a year from Door Dash ($100 to $300 per week)
She also takes on odd jobs and summer camps to supplement her income. Reaching Final X and being second on the National Team provides an extra $750 a month and health insurance through USA Wrestling. Getting picked up by Titan Mercury Wrestling Club covers tournament travel, which is "life-changing." She says, “There are times when I’m broke and I have no money, but then I think of the problems normal people have during their day-to-day life and I love that this is my problem,” Martinez said. “I get to work out for a living and explore the world. I love it. I love being on the mat, and I love doing it.“
Other wrestlers share similar experiences:
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- Alara Boyd: Relies on summer camps and social media work for income. Last year she worked at Smoothie King in addition to wrestling.
- Kendra Ryan: Works as a personal trainer and at a restaurant to support her training.
- Ali Howk: Earns money through summer camps and bonuses from USA Wrestling events.
- Kayla Miracle: Teaches math at Valiant College Prep to pay her bills.
- Solin Piearcy: Works remotely for Trans FX, allowing her to balance training and income.
- Abby Nette: Joined the US Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) to receive a salary and benefits.
These athletes demonstrate incredible resourcefulness and dedication to their sport, often juggling multiple jobs to fund their training and competitions.
Health Insurance and Support
Access to health insurance is a critical concern for female wrestlers. Amanda Martinez highlights that being on the National Team provides her with much-needed health insurance through USA Wrestling. Others rely on their parents' insurance or find employment with benefits.
Here's how some wrestlers manage their health insurance:
- Martinez: No. 1 and 2 (on the National Team) get health insurance, so this is my first year of getting on that.
- Ryan: “I’m still under my parents because I’m 22.”
- Howk: “When you’re second on the National Team, you get health insurance. I can go to the Olympic Training Center to get some things taken care of. I’m on my parents’ health insurance until I’m 26, so I’m still on their insurance. I’ll be on my husband’s health insurance when I get married.”
- Piearcy: “That’s a huge thing turning 26. That’s one of the main reasons I’m still with this company. Thankfully, they have a really good health-benefits plan for me. I had surgery last year on my thumb and, thankfully, I didn’t have to pay too much out of pocket. I’m fortunate for that because if I didn’t have this job and had to undergo that surgery on my own, it would be a little tough.”
- Nette: “We have TRICARE as a US Soldier. Right now, we are on active duty orders. Most of us are National Guard soldiers, but we are on active duty orders in the WCAP program. We get active duty pay. If you make National Teams, you have that as well. Sometimes that’s a better option than TRICARE because the USOPC works with the athletes directly. Sometimes it’s better to go through the USOPC if you have that option.”
The Army's WCAP program offers a stable salary and health benefits, providing a more secure path for some wrestlers.
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Despite their passion and dedication, female wrestlers face numerous challenges. Financial instability, societal stigmas, and the need to balance training with work and personal life are significant hurdles.
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Martinez: “The first year was really hard because I was paying for rent. As time has gone on, I’ve realized I can do exactly what I want to do. I’m able to make enough for the extra stuff I need. I don’t feel like I’m drowning. It could be easier, but I feel lucky that I can train and travel and have that be my occupation. I don’t have excess money, but I have what I need, and I do what I love. It seems kind of like a win.”
Kendra Ryan describes the challenge of balancing restaurant work with weight cutting, but also appreciates the humility it brings.
Ali Howk emphasizes the difficulty of maintaining a full-time job while traveling for competitions and training. She adds, “It’s scary. I’m grateful for Kevin Black, my coach, because he helps me set up camps, and I can find a way to go make a couple of bucks. As a full-time athlete, it’s very difficult to have a job because you travel so much. I worked as a CNA (nursing assistant) for a long time, and I loved it, but it was very draining. I was on my feet all day. Having a typical job is very difficult, and it takes away from the training. It makes it hard and scary at times. I’ve been able to find a way to figure it out.
These challenges highlight the resilience and determination of female wrestlers, who often make significant sacrifices to pursue their dreams.
The Role of Beat the Streets and Community Support
Programs like Beat the Streets (BTS) play a crucial role in supporting female wrestlers, particularly in urban areas. BTS provides funding, coaching, and opportunities for young student-athletes to excel both on and off the mat. Jessica Medina, the Women's Director for Beat the Streets Philadelphia, emphasizes the importance of breaking barriers and fostering a supportive community.
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Jacque Davis, Head Girls' Coach for BTSNY, notes the positive culture developing within the program, where wrestlers support and encourage each other. She says, "They're taking and building this culture, they're taking it and it's trickling down to the next girls, because they're feeding it to them. The ones that come through don't know any different because it's being preached from all directions; from their peers, from me, from our organization. It's definitely exciting. It's the first real time I'm seeing it. It takes time to happen, but it makes me happy. It makes me really happy. They're starting to act as leaders, and that's a big thing."
BTS alumni often return to coach and mentor younger wrestlers, creating a strong network of support and guidance.
U20 North America vs Europe. Alexandria Lieu vs Adriana Daniseviciute 51kg. Women wrestling. B-cam-m
Emotional Intelligence and Coaching
Coaching female wrestlers requires a nuanced approach, emphasizing emotional intelligence and creating a supportive environment. Coaches Eric Everard and Katie Kriebel highlight the importance of acknowledging and processing emotions, teaching stress management skills, and fostering positive relationships.
Key strategies include:
- Helping athletes manage difficult emotions by providing safe spaces to express themselves.
- Asking "How do you feel?" and actively listening to validate their emotions.
- Recognizing that female athletes often take a holistic approach to sports, considering their overall well-being.
- Giving girls time to talk and socialize at the beginning of practice to improve focus.
- Supporting them by introducing and teaching them stress management and resiliency skills.
- Helping athletes develop self-awareness by recognizing emotions as they arise; teach them to recognize how emotions impact their focus, attitude, and performance.
By fostering emotional intelligence and resilience, coaches can help female wrestlers thrive both on and off the mat.
Motivation and Empowerment
Despite the challenges, female wrestlers are driven by a deep love for the sport and a desire to achieve their full potential. Alara Boyd emphasizes, "I’ve never wrestled for attention. I genuinely love this sport. If I were in it for the money, I would not be in women’s wrestling. I just want to be the best, and I feel like if I keep chasing my goals, it’ll eventually come."
Jessica Medina notes that wrestling empowers women and teaches boys to respect others, breaking down traditional stereotypes. She added: "It impacts boys and men in wrestling in that it shows that wrestling shouldn't be exclusive... the mat should be an equalizer. It teachers boys to respect others. The tough mentality is killing the sport."
Ultimately, female wrestling is about more than just winning matches; it's about building confidence, fostering community, and empowering women to achieve their dreams.