Episode 27 - Ryder Siegfried

Ryder, a sophomore in high school, has built himself into a State Champion — not through flash or hype, but through discipline and a willingness to embrace what’s difficult. For much of his early journey, he was simply trying to find his way in the sport. What separated him wasn’t immediate dominance, but his commitment to doing the hard things over and over again. Now, as a State Champion, Ryder speaks with gratitude about the lessons in accountability, toughness, and resilience that wrestling has given him as a young man. Ryder is quick to joke about being a “staller,” embracing the comments with a smile. While the label doesn’t truly define his style, it doesn’t bother him either. In high-level matches, many elite wrestlers become calculated and protective of position. Ryder understands that strategy. Though he confidently expresses his ability to score, he admits he often feels more comfortable shutting down opponents’ attacks than initiating them. It’s a self-awareness that reflects his growth — from youth wrestling, to his freshman season, to now capturing a State Title as a sophomore. He also opens up about early struggles in his career. Without going into deep detail, Ryder shares two pivotal challenges he faced as a child: weight cutting and the pressure to win. At just 11 years old, he experienced a 16-pound weight cut — something that shaped his perspective on the sport. He also put immense pressure on himself to win, driven by his admiration for his coaches and his desire to make them proud. The turning point came in high school under Coach Pineda. Coach Pineda removed the burden of outcome and asked Ryder to focus on one thing — wrestling hard. That shift changed everything. By emphasizing effort over results, Ryder was freed to compete without fear. He learned how to process losses, how to grow from them, and how to separate his identity from the scoreboard. That period became one of the most critical stages of his development. Today, Ryder stands not just as a State Champion, but as an athlete shaped by adversity, perspective, and the right guidance at the right time. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t always come from winning — it often comes from learning how to handle everything that comes with it.