Bryan Van Kley: Growing Up in Rural Iowa to Leading in Wrestling Journalism

In this episode, Pat DiCerbo interviews Bryan Van Kley, owner of WIN Magazine—a leading publication in the world of wrestling. Bryan shares his journey from a small town in Iowa, where he grew up immersed in the agricultural business, to becoming a college athlete and ultimately finding his passion in sports journalism. He reflects on the formative influence of his family, his faith, and his small-town upbringing, which emphasized community, hard work, and treating others with respect.Bryan recounts playing four sports in his freshman year of college and how those experiences taught him time management and resilience. He discusses how his passion for wrestling grew after attending his first NCAA Wrestling Championship, which later led him to work with Mike Chapman on WIN Magazine and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. At the young age of 22, Bryan took a leap of faith, buying the Magazine and dedicating himself to its growth over the past 26 years.He also touches on his involvement in Ag-Grow Plus Lawn Care, a nod to his agricultural roots, and the lessons he learned from his family’s business. The episode concludes with a reflective discussion on the values of hard work, passion, and the importance of mentoring others.