I met some friends last week who were in town for the Iowa High School State Wrestling tournament. It is a reunion of sorts for wrestlers and fans around the state to congregate over food and drink and talk about the glory days. I look forward to it each year.

This year, I had the opportunity to meet a great man from my hometown of Algona. His name is Phil Bode. He was a state runner-up for the Bulldogs at 154 pounds in 1969. After high school, he accepted a scholarship to wrestle at Louisiana State University, and he decided to make the state his home from then on.

Phil accomplished what very few have for the sport of wrestling, helping to launch 10 wrestling programs in the state. Accolades about him could fill this column, but, instead, I am sharing three stories that will hit home regardless of your interest, or lack thereof, in wrestling.

Lesson No. 1: The 5-minute rule. Phil said he coined the 5-minute rule, and he has used it throughout his coaching career. He told his athletes that, when they won, they would be hoisted on their teammates’ shoulders, and they would all celebrate the victory… for 5 minutes. He also told his wrestlers that, when they would lose, he would give them time to reflect, scream, cry or do whatever they had to do to react to the loss… for 5 minutes. Then, win or lose, they would move on to the next challenge. That’s great advice for all of us in addressing the challenges we face in our lives.

Lesson No. 2: Those who defeat you are not your enemies. Most all of us who competed in athletics distinctly remember our losses. Phil shared how he was defeated 11 times by Keith Abens of Humboldt, who went on to be a two-time All-American at Iowa State. “I learned that Keith was not my enemy; he was my motivator. Those losses inspired me to improve every day. Without that inspiration, I would not have achieved what I have done in my lifetime.”

Lesson No. 3: Go all in. Phil wanted to start a wrestling program at a high school in Louisiana where he was hired to coach football, but the district would not fund the purchase of a wrestling mat. After discussing with his wife, they decided to use their cars as collateral for a personal loan of $4,000 to buy the mat. On Christmas Eve, Phil received a phone call that the truck with the mat on it was at the high school for delivery. When he went to unload it, the school principal showed up and asked why there was a wrestling mat in the gym, pointing out he didn’t approve the purchase. “I bought it,” Phil told him. “And here’s the deal. If you like the job I do with this team, then the district can buy the mat from me in two years for $4,000. If you don’t like the job I have done, then I will leave and take the mat with me.” The program thrived, and Phil’s message moving forward was quite simple: “If you are not willing to put everything you have into something you truly believe in, then you are not all in.”

Phil Bode was all in, and he still is.

Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

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SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

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Today's riddle

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