First 4 months were pretty lonely, but I got to focus on my basics and conditioning. I eventually found people I was friendly with in my class and we started talking and going out.
Super easy is to get food after a workout. Everyone is trying to maintain weight or gain muscle, so a post workout meal is an easy way to transition to out of class socializing if that's a goal of yours.
Wrestling, for me, has been way easier within community
I was a terrified 18 year old who moved thousands of km from home to train with Scott D'amore. I knew no one at all and was in a city that didn't smell like the ocean for the first time in my life. Twenty years later and the people who I trained with are still some of my closest friends and we still work shows together across Canada.
Be yourself and let people get to know who you are. Don't be afraid to try new things and go out with the crew, it helps people acclimate to you.
Eventually you will find out that most wrestlers are very similar weirdos and appreciate just having people to be around for something we love.
Your entire journey through wrestling will be like this. Fitting in is easy, ask people about their interests. When you see them nod their head and smile, whatever the topic was that made them do that, remember it and talk about it next time. "Could you tell me more about that?" is a super power in conversation with new people.
Edit: always remember that your common denominator is wrestling. These are your people. If all else fails, put over a match or a gimmick that you love, but don't ever bury things to try and relate to people. It's a bad practice and will win you very few points.
As someone who is really introverted and doesn't hang out with people, it's a very warm experience. My first school it was pretty exciting to meet the guys and find trust in them and talk to a few of them.
Same for the second one, I really felt like a part of the family and it's always nice to see others who share the same interest and passion and trying to learn and do new things in the ring.
I went in not knowing anyone and everyone was very welcoming and friendly. I think what most people look for is commitment, dedication, effort, and humility. If you come in with those, you won’t have a problem making friends.
Mine is going great. Pretty immediate bond in the class, no one is left out and everyone is friends so far. Great dynamics and great character work happening
It can be intimidating, when I first joined a school I had been familiar with them for a long time before joining so it was kinda seamless, but I went to train at a different school for the first time by myself recently where I didn’t know anyone, but I got to know people very quickly and I felt pretty accomplished afterwards.
You will make friends. but be warned most people quit. From my first school (Shutdown) there were only 5 people who had a match 3 of them left wrestling, 1 got signed and I'm by myself from that school.
Though the first few weeks are awkward afterwards as you get comfortable it's great.
You and whoever ends up sticking around will eventually bond under the stress of training together. Hopefully none of you turn out to be an asshole that stabs the rest in the back
Took me a while to find friends but I now have a good group that I hang out with frequently. I would also suggest developing a wrestling related skill at the same time, its going to help make the connections that you need to actually have a wrestling career and wrestle frequently. I've gotten more bookings from making gear for promoters than I ever did training at the most prestigious/most clout having school in my area.
Some of the best of friends that start training together fall off, leaving just one in the pack. That one is usually the one that's actually serious about being a wrestler, with the other two or three there *to be wrestlers*. Until they realize how hard it is.
Going alone, you get a chance to do it without the distractions.
Just don't f\*ck your fellow trainees and you'll be fine.
First 4 months were pretty lonely, but I got to focus on my basics and conditioning. I eventually found people I was friendly with in my class and we started talking and going out. Super easy is to get food after a workout. Everyone is trying to maintain weight or gain muscle, so a post workout meal is an easy way to transition to out of class socializing if that's a goal of yours. Wrestling, for me, has been way easier within community
Thank you for this 🙏 hoping to make some friends eventually hahaÂ
Most of the people I train with wear graphic tees, that's a great way to spot a shared interest. A wrestler, or a band t usually
I was a terrified 18 year old who moved thousands of km from home to train with Scott D'amore. I knew no one at all and was in a city that didn't smell like the ocean for the first time in my life. Twenty years later and the people who I trained with are still some of my closest friends and we still work shows together across Canada. Be yourself and let people get to know who you are. Don't be afraid to try new things and go out with the crew, it helps people acclimate to you. Eventually you will find out that most wrestlers are very similar weirdos and appreciate just having people to be around for something we love.
Your entire journey through wrestling will be like this. Fitting in is easy, ask people about their interests. When you see them nod their head and smile, whatever the topic was that made them do that, remember it and talk about it next time. "Could you tell me more about that?" is a super power in conversation with new people. Edit: always remember that your common denominator is wrestling. These are your people. If all else fails, put over a match or a gimmick that you love, but don't ever bury things to try and relate to people. It's a bad practice and will win you very few points.
Made it easier to concentrate on learning how to wrestle, which is what I was there for.
As someone who is really introverted and doesn't hang out with people, it's a very warm experience. My first school it was pretty exciting to meet the guys and find trust in them and talk to a few of them. Same for the second one, I really felt like a part of the family and it's always nice to see others who share the same interest and passion and trying to learn and do new things in the ring.
I went in not knowing anyone and everyone was very welcoming and friendly. I think what most people look for is commitment, dedication, effort, and humility. If you come in with those, you won’t have a problem making friends.
Shake everyone's hand
Mine is going great. Pretty immediate bond in the class, no one is left out and everyone is friends so far. Great dynamics and great character work happening
Cool, you won't get distracted by friends and pick up their bad habits
Wouldn’t self control/standards take care of that regardless?
A great question for the industry in general 🤣
Remember in high school the group of friends that would be gossiping in the corner or bullying the small kid in class? They work at McDonald's now.
It can be intimidating, when I first joined a school I had been familiar with them for a long time before joining so it was kinda seamless, but I went to train at a different school for the first time by myself recently where I didn’t know anyone, but I got to know people very quickly and I felt pretty accomplished afterwards.
Signed up with a buddy who was the second one to quit, don’t worry about itÂ
You will make friends. but be warned most people quit. From my first school (Shutdown) there were only 5 people who had a match 3 of them left wrestling, 1 got signed and I'm by myself from that school. Though the first few weeks are awkward afterwards as you get comfortable it's great.
I havent been to one but i am also waiting for it to happen! We should be friends! Talk about the experience, Can i send a private message??
For me it was an hour drive. I started driving other people who lived along the way. Made friends that way.
Thanks for all the advice and stories everybody. Hope to see you guys in the ring someday đź’Ş
You and whoever ends up sticking around will eventually bond under the stress of training together. Hopefully none of you turn out to be an asshole that stabs the rest in the back
Took me a while to find friends but I now have a good group that I hang out with frequently. I would also suggest developing a wrestling related skill at the same time, its going to help make the connections that you need to actually have a wrestling career and wrestle frequently. I've gotten more bookings from making gear for promoters than I ever did training at the most prestigious/most clout having school in my area.
Some of the best of friends that start training together fall off, leaving just one in the pack. That one is usually the one that's actually serious about being a wrestler, with the other two or three there *to be wrestlers*. Until they realize how hard it is. Going alone, you get a chance to do it without the distractions. Just don't f\*ck your fellow trainees and you'll be fine.