Each week on “Making a Difference,” our hosts interview people making a meaningful impact in their community. Today, Morgan Yonge and Greg Chapman had the pleasure of speaking with Daniel Holmes of Black Hive Wrestling Club.
Transcript:
Speaker 1:
Welcome back to another episode of Making a Difference, where we highlight those who are making a difference, both here in Jacksonville and that impact is trickling around the world. I’m Morgan Yonge, joined by my wonderful co-host Greg Chapman. Greg, thank you for being here.
Speaker 2:
Good to be here again. It is my honor and privilege to introduce a friend of mine to you, a great coach. When it comes to club wrestling, I don’t think there’s any better in our city than Daniel Holmes. And I’m looking forward to you hearing some of his story. And so, Daniel, as we talked a little bit about coaching and making a difference in Jacksonville, when you think about the influence of a coach and how they impact the lives of young athletes, what does that mean to you and how do you practice that?
Speaker 3:
I mean, for me, I really believe coaches become like uncles, like second generation, third generation dads. They are important in a lot of kids’ lives, whether that kid has two parents or whether that kid only has one parent.
I believe a coach truly has impact. I don’t want to say more impact than parents, but we all know parents send their kids to certain coaches because they know their kid will listen to that coach. Parents can say something over and over, but when a coach says it, the way he delivers it, that kid just soaks it up.
So the impact or influence of a coach in today’s society is needed more than ever. I don’t want to say teachers, but it is needed for sure.
Speaker 1:
It’s a very big deal. Kids respect their coaches. They look up to them, and that’s when their ears are a little more turned on because they want to be like you.
Speaker 3:
Yeah. And especially for a coach like myself, if you look at my Instagram or my TikToks, or if you come into my gym, you’ll notice I train with my kids. I train before my kids, I train with my kids, and I train after my kids.
I try to be the actual living example of what they should strive to be, even if they find themselves off track or off road. I have the story to show that it’s not over. You can come back from it if you’re willing to work hard, if you’re willing to surrender, if you’re willing to believe, if you’re willing to have faith, if you’re willing to adapt, if you really want change and growth. The possibility is there.
And I think it’s most important for myself as a coach, and for all coaches, to lead by example by showing who they should be becoming and how to go after what they really want in life.
Speaker 2:
I love that. Before we started rolling, you were sharing some of your story about your childhood and not having a dad in the house. How does that impact your coaching now?
Speaker 3:
I think it’s the reason why I coach, honestly. It has everything to do with my business, the way I live my life, and the way I pour into kids.
I really suffered from that as a kid. I had a great mom. She worked six to six. She kept us in church. When I look back, I can’t think of trauma. I only think of unconditional love. My mom was there for us.
But I really suffered from not having a dad to grab me and bring me back in sometimes. That fear growing up without a dad gave me real purpose and passion to make sure kids who were like me have someone they can go to, someone who understands what they may be going through.
Speaker 3:
When you look up into the stands, my mom never missed a game. She never missed a match, a meet, or an event for me or my sisters. She was always there.
But not seeing my dad in the stands hurt me every time. Eventually I got through it, but I used that experience to pour into our community in Jacksonville. That’s the reason I do what I do. It is my purpose. It is the drive behind my passion.
Speaker 1:
It’s beautiful. You may not have had a father growing up, but over the years you’ve learned about our Heavenly Father. Now you get to introduce Him to these kids and to faith. How are you incorporating faith into your coaching?
Speaker 3:
It’s crazy because I’ve always been a believer. I’ve always known God. People say to me now, “Oh, I see you found the Lord,” and I stop them right there. I didn’t find Him. I’ve always known Him. I finally surrendered.
I realized I was living a very moral life and doing many of the right things, but I wasn’t actually following Christ. I hadn’t surrendered.
Once I started introducing prayer, talking about faith, and bringing Christ into my classes, not just casually, but intentionally, holding Bible studies during Sunday practices, everything changed.
I realized I had been doing things my way, and the missing piece was doing them God’s way. He gave me the gym, the people, the kids, the families. When I started talking about Christ, I realized He gave me this as a ministry.
Speaker 3:
He wants me with the kids. They are the future. If we’re not pouring into them and talking to them about Christ, someone else is talking to them about something else entirely.
For example, I have an athlete named Lincoln. He’s strong in his faith. I try to attach his faith to his wrestling. The same conviction you have in Christ, you need to have in yourself and in your wrestling.
If you say you’re a believer and you truly believe that, then you should have freedom in how you compete. Win or lose, that faith gives you freedom.
Speaker 1:
Oh my goodness, my heart is full. Thank you for what you’re doing and for the conversations you’re having with these kids. It’s beautiful.
Speaker 3:
Thank you.
Speaker 2:
If you have a young person interested in wrestling, take them to the Black High Wrestling Club. Homeschoolers, they’ve got something for you as well.
Speaker 1:
Awesome. Thank you for coming on the show.
Speaker 3:
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2:
So good.
Speaker 1:
Viewers, thank you for tuning in to another episode of Making a Difference. If you want more information, head over to LivingMyFaith.com. We’ll see you in the next episode of Making a Difference.
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