From the Mat to Mentorship

Hey there! I’m Daniel Harshman, and I’m here to share some insights from my own experiences—from the wrestling mat in my younger days to my current role as a mentor and coach. Wrestling is so much more than just a sport to me; it’s been a critical part of shaping who I am today, especially my leadership skills.

The Foundation of Discipline

I learned about discipline really early on, all thanks to wrestling. When you’re up against an opponent, it’s not just about how strong you are. Winning comes down to how well you’ve prepared, your mental toughness, and your ability to adapt quickly. These skills come from consistent, disciplined practice.

This kind of discipline is something I carry over into my role at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center. Precision and sticking to protocols are crucial there. In any leadership role, being disciplined helps you stay on track and earn the trust of your team.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Wrestling teaches you all about resilience like few other sports can. You’re going to lose matches—it’s inevitable. But what really matters is how you bounce back. Every time you get up after a loss and figure out what went wrong, you’re building your resilience and character.

This resilience has been a cornerstone for me, not just in the military but also in coaching. Whether I’m leading soldiers or coaching young athletes, the ability to stay positive and motivate everyone, even when things get tough, is what leadership is all about.

Accountability and Responsibility

Wrestling might seem like it’s just you against another person, but there’s a team aspect too. Your performance affects the whole team's score. This teaches you real accountability—you learn quickly that your actions impact more than just you.

In any leadership role, you have to own your decisions and their outcomes. On the mat, I learned that being clear and honest builds respect and trust, and these are essential for any leader.

Coaching and Mentorship

Moving from being an athlete to coaching was a natural step for me. It’s been an amazing way to pass on what I've learned. More than just teaching wrestling moves, I get to mentor these young athletes in life skills like discipline, resilience, and accountability.

Mentorship extends beyond just giving advice; it’s about guiding others and helping them grow. Watching a young wrestler apply these lessons and succeed is incredibly rewarding and really drives home the value of leading by example.

Community and Connection

Another big part of wrestling is the sense of community and connection you build. The relationships I've made with teammates and coaches have lasted a lifetime. These bonds are based on shared challenges and successes.

In my various roles—whether in the military, community service, or coaching—I’ve seen how powerful a strong community can be. It supports its members in tough times and celebrates together in good times, creating a positive environment that helps everyone grow.

For me, wrestling has been more than a sport—it’s been a vital part of my development as a leader and mentor. The mat taught me my first lessons in leadership: discipline, resilience, accountability, and the importance of community. These lessons have been invaluable in every part of my life.

To all the young wrestlers out there, remember that every match and every challenge is preparing you for bigger things. Stay disciplined, learn from each setback, and always be prepared to lead, both on and off the mat. And to everyone, in any field, true leadership is about inspiring others to achieve their goals and encouraging them to be leaders too.