My name is Alexandra Hofrichter and I am a junior at the University of Dubuque. I am currently a communication/psychology double major, and I am on the women’s wrestling team. Wrestling has been a significant factor in developing my mental health awareness throughout my life. As a college student, I have faced various challenges and stressors that have impacted my mental well-being. Very recently I have experienced mental struggles that I never had before. However, the friends and family I have acquired in the sport of wrestling have provided me with the tools and purpose to navigate these challenges effectively. Wrestling has taught me the importance of supporting, loving, and being there for the people in my life, because you never know when someone really just needs you to reach out. The mental strength and awareness I have gained from participating in Wrestling has helped me see and understand not just my struggles but those around me and that will be invaluable in tough times to come. Wrestling has had a profound effect on both my physical and emotional health, making it a challenging yet rewarding sport. Physically, wrestling is hard and draining and at times it is a lot to handle, but I am so grateful for all the hardship because the outcome is so much greater. I can rest easy knowing that my body can handle whatever life throws at it because I have already put it through so much. Emotionally, there is a lot of drain from the intensity of wrestling. It takes an insane amount of mental resilience to get through the trials of wrestling. But again, once you make it through, you know you can handle just about anything, and that makes it all worth it. The camaraderie I have found among my teammates and coaches has gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life, and I wouldn’t give that up for anything. In conclusion, wrestling not only shapes bodies but also strengthens minds for success on and off the mat.
