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In this episode of Stories From the Resilite, Shane Sparks sits down with Olympic wrestler, NCAA champion, coach and media personality Ben Askren for a wide-ranging conversation about wrestling, resilience and perspective.
Askren shares his thoughts on the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships, including the rise of freshman national champions and the impressive scrambling ability of Oklahoma State’s Jax Forrest. He discusses how young wrestlers today arrive in college far more prepared than previous generations thanks to early exposure to elite competition.
The conversation also turns deeply personal as Askren reflects on his recent lung transplant, the difficult months that followed, and the perspective he gained from the experience. He speaks about gratitude, faith and the impact of organ donation.
Askren also discusses his coaching philosophy, why competition is the greatest teacher in wrestling, and the mindset that helped shape one of the most unique careers in the sport.
The episode also touches on Askren’s memorable matches, his work in wrestling media, potential rule changes in the sport, and the future of wrestling events like RAF.
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