How I Lost in the Biggest Tournament of my Life 

It takes a humble man and a huge heart to talk about the downfalls and to use them to build yourself back up. I hope the lessons learned and the off season training produce that Natty next year!

Because of you, I turned into the D2 national tournament this year! I’m sorry the season didn’t end up the way you envisioned, but you’re doing your part with your content to grow the sport and that’s worth it’s weight in gold. Continuing to root for your success going forward.

Great season Cayden proud of you!

Great season! Such a huge improvement in just a year.

Take it slow . Last year I didn’t even place at state, but this year I got second . I improved and I was still smiling because I know I improved and that there’s always room for improvement . I been watching you for years so trust me I know you got this .

Cayden is so mature at such a young age. This is what wrestling is all about. So grateful for this sport and it’s people. ❤

Competing at nationals is so bitter sweet, its hard to let go. I got All-American one year and was chasing it ever since. I graduated college a few years ago and I still feel like I left part of my soul on the mat.

You're gonna be #1 bro with the work your putting in.

i’m so proud of how far you’ve come this season cayden. national champ next year!!!

No matter, what progress is important and you certainly have made major progress during your season…

My dad is a coach for tiffin university wrestling and I was made to wrestle but your videos really made me enjoy everything about it.

Great season. Absolutely understand your mindset in the first match - a learning experience. You have a great attitude and you’ve grown tremendously as a wrestler. Sky’s the limit next season - good luck.

Good job cayden, you’ve got so much better over this year and inspired me to keep wreslting time and time again.

Man Cayden. That is so heartbreaking that you didn't Place. When you lost that first match my heart sank for you, and then when you took your second loss in the blood round to your familiar nemesis, it's was tough to watch. But you have nothing to be ashamed of man. You definitely gave it your all, and once you get to state or Nationals, it's a different kind of a beast. The pressure is unreal. Looking forward to watching you next year.

Just being a wrestler and making this big of an impact to viewers is amazing keep it up as well as your head and go getm next year

You had a great season man, I was so sad to see you fall short of your goals this year. But sometimes we need a step back to make a big leap forward. You have proven that yourself before and I hope the best for you next season. Keep up the hard work and you will get what you are after!

Hey Cayden, I love your RU-vid videos and think you are one hell of a content creator! We need that in wrestling! I'm an old fart (52 years old) and way past my prime in this sport. In fact, my body has rebelled against me and I can't even drill anymore. But when I wore a younger man's clothes, I could hold my own. With over 20 years of coaching experience, I've learned a thing or two about this sport. Let me give you some advice, because I know you eventually want to become a National Champion! It will never happen unless you develop that Killer Instinct. I've watched most of your videos this year and know that you have amazing mat awareness and good instincts. You are good on your feet both offensively and defensively. A few times, I've seen you lose your position (like the time you shot a single and tried for the standing Turk). Always stay in a crouched wrestling stance no matter where you are on your feet. You are good on bottom and have a natural ability to earn your escape. What's holding you back are two things... 1.) Killer Instinct 2.) Scoring on top Let's start with the 2nd 'thing'. I've seen your takedowns and you are really good at your doubles and singles and shrug takedowns. I like your misdirection shots as well. With all of your takedowns, you work from the feet up and secure the waist. One observation would be to try and avoid the scrambles that occur when you lose position for a fraction of a second and have to expend excess energy trying to secure the 2pts. When this happens, your mind takes a rest and allows the bottom wrestler to work to his base and then his escape. Your mindset should be that when you are attacking for 2pts., make sure you are always in position to avoid the scrambles. That way, when you secure your 2pts. you have the energy to attack for back points. This leads to the 1st 'thing' you need to improve. You have to change your mindset when you secure a takedown. It is my opinion that your primary objective is to earn the 1pt. riding time. That is a defeatist attitude. You have to want to 'kill' your opponent when you are on top. I always envisioned myself as a sort of vampire and once his back was to me, he didn't know which side of his neck I was going to bite. Vampires need blood to survive. National Champions need to kill their opponents on top. that is how they earn back points. Once you have secured a takedown, go in for the kill. Your eyes must get bigger and your mind must be to make your opponent submit to the pain you will give him. Nothing says pain more than a hard cross face with your thumb bone across his nose. Also, when you go for wrist control, you need to break the bones in his wrist. You run a good 'claw ride' but you use it to stall. You need to run it with the intention to turn. I love how you have a deep waist with opposite hand when you run that claw but that deep waist hand must quickly go to the back of his knee for a turk and run that mutha #$1* thru the mat. I love throwing the boots but will never do it when they are on their base. Once I break my dude down, those boots are going in and their sole intention is to cause massive pain. I want to tork their body like a twist off bottle cap. They are so worried about the pain I am causing with my boots, that they don't notice the mayhem I'm causing with my half or cross face. If applied correctly, these mice will practically turn themselves over to their backs. I've been rambling here, but I know you have to goal to be a national champion. Send me a shout out in your next video if you want to hook up. We can make it happen. :)

You did well. You've done well. Thank you for sharing your personal and wrestling journeys so far. They"ve been informative and beautiful stories. They should be archived for the future for the wrestling community and general public alike. Congrats. You're a champion and a nice person as well. Forward and onward. Good luck.

Great season man!

Let’s go right after wrestling practice I’ve been waiting for this one

Congratulations on your season. You and your team accomplished a lot. You are a member of a conference championship team and a NCAA Division II National Qualifier. Keep your head up and keep training hard.

You inspired me as a wrestler my guy. Overall I loved the sport even more because of you. I was a Senior this year and pushed to Districts when only me and one other guy made it. Now I'm signing up for out of season tournaments just for fun and hopefully going for first, thank you Cayden

Good job man #2 is still better than most people will ever get close too

Love you're video can't wait to see what you do next season

Winners sometimes lose. But losers quit. We learn more from our losses. And build character when we come back. You know what to do this off season. Excited to see your comeback. Attending any camps this summer?

Videos are great. Love them. Put some time riding in offseason...must get better on top if you want to win next year. Good luck.

YOOOOOOOOOO. You posted!! I’ve been trying to constantly refresh your channel but came back from wrestling practice and it said 4 hours ago😂

Congrats on 200k subscribers ❤

Hopefully you'll be on the stand next year awsome year I love your videos

You had an amazing season, Cayden! We're all so proud of you! No doubt all of this is just going to make you better in the future! ♥️

My son is ten and has wrestled 3 of the last 5 years. He is now training and wrestling 4 days a week because your videos made wrestling fun for him again. He loves your sense of humor . You show you can smile and laugh and still be a tough hard nosed successful wrestler. Thanks for showing you can enjoy the journey ❤

Man u still did phenomenal!!! congrats on it all

You just got to let it fly when your at the NCAA tournament! Take it all in but let it go and have no regrets. You had in an incredible season. Put the work in now and improve on the areas that need work. Congratulations brother on a great season. 🤝

W, incredible achievement to even make it there, regardless of outcome, learn from it and go win it next year good luck.

Let’s go Cayden ❤ my fav wrestler

You’ll come back it’s gonna good can’t to see the videos great season love the videos

I know what it feels like to lose but the comeback is always the best part. I just recently had my state tournament going in as the 13th kid in the state losing to the 16th and then the 20th kid in the state in very close matches and I felt like I wasn't doing enough but your videos always tell me it's not over yet and I still have time to make it right. I'm proud of you from going 0-2 last year to qualify to making it to the national tournament its a big improvement and it's only greater things from here your hard work inspires others to work hard. Keep it up cayden your a true inspiration

As an old retired HS coach I've really enjoyed your videos. Good luck next season and take your emotional skills with you through life.

Cayden u are such a big inspiration u have motivated me in so many ways and push me to wanna be great thank u so much for what u do.

Like one of my old coaches said, “if you let them get to your hips it’s hard to get them off, if you sprawl you win.” Good luck next season young man. Keep going ✊🏽

I am a D3 wrestler at Bridgewater State and found your channel this year and can't stop watching your videos are great and you have some awesome advice. Thank you I have learned some good things from watching you.

Had legit the same draw as you at state this year, it’s my sophomore year and I won regionals and was on top of the world. Then got to state seeded second and just didn’t show up won one lost two same as you did and did not place . Know you are going to grow from it and I sure hope I do. Youve inspired me for a long time and I’ve loved following your journey.

You have the best freaking attitude. Good Luck!!

That was crazy takes a real man to do that and stay up and through the hared times and easy time good job for coming a. Long way

Thanks for the great season Cayden! Your a great humble man! Your talking in this video and in the past has helped me a lot. Next year I know you can be #1 seed and win the championship. I got states at IUP this weekend too. Great job and thank you!!❤

You’re a stud, bro. I’m a former wrestler myself, only through high school though. But I respect you tremendously for this video man. It takes a real man to navigate those feelings and to turn them around, and that’s fucking bad ass! Haha Love you man stoked to continue to watch you wrastle and grow!

I have Ben following your channel since high school and I have to say that it is amazing to se how far you have come and you really should be proud of your performance

I just messed up my arm so bad today, and it makes me happy to see at least you are doing something good

Awesome message. Looking forward to following the revenge tour.

Already know the ending sadly😢. You’ll get em next year champ

Hi cayden I’m a wrestler in the 105 weight class and my first tournament is coming up any tips

Huge progress from last year, and there will be more before next year. Love watching your journey, and wish you the very best🤙🏻

Great season and such an improvement from last year. Thank you for sharing your journey. Here is to better things next year.

Respect to you. I couldn’t agree more on wrestling not to lose. Rather than to win. I know how that is happened to me every year at state. Keep you head up your obviously a bad ass man.

Great season Cayden

I was watching Live man and I could tell then you just had a off day you and gantz shame he was a senior you got 2 more years to make up for it can’t wait to continue watching your journey

Great season man keep it up cant wait for next year man put in the work during the off-season

You have come so far from last year. Looking forward to next season!

You keep getting better and I enjoy watching your journey.

Downfalls are part life tough people take them up be better let’s gooo you one of them

I’ve been waiting so long for this vid

Watching you at the arena was the best. Best of luck for the future and your wrestling

You have a beautiful way of looking at the sport

I might of been in the same room as you! And you had a amazing year you beat a lot of good people proud of you

Great season, Cayden. Really enjoyed the videos and am looking forward to next season!

Your going places your an inspiration

Great Job Cayden! Keep working hard! Great things are in store for you!!

Great and inspiring season Cayden! Thanks so much for sharing and helping promote the awesome sport of wrestling!

Watched it live😢. Champ next year tho💪

You had such a good szn this year, you’re so inspiring and such a great wrestler Cayden. Let’s get back to nattys next year

Inspired me to start wrestling and go on the grind. its only up from here 💪

you have made huge strides this year your humility in defeat as a very high seed is admirable congratulations fantastic on a fantastic season

Hats off too ya bud! It is hard to lose and then talk about it right away. Keep grinding and you will get there in. Oh, and in your second match at 10:55 you had a pretty obvious hands to the face, I only bring it up so you are careful in the future. So many matches come down to just one point and you never wanna give your opponent free points. Best of luck in the future!

It was one heck of a ride this season Cayden. Looking forward to more videos and awesomeness.

You should be proud of yourself. Good luck going forward.

Definitely won’t be surprised if you get it done and end on top of the podium in the next two years

Looked flat today bud,thats going to happen.Not bashing you at all,great year! Work on the ride& turn,you can alot of matches by not allowing people to get up,impossible for them to get to the attack! Study some Spencer tilts,I know he's on a different level,but you can p/u things from him.My senior year i wrestled a guy who was un defeated,I had one loss,I p/u that his throw defense was sloppy,at sectionals I thru him to his back for the pin.Ended up meeting again in state semis,and he won by major decision. To this day I think if I'd saved that throw for state,things might have been different.He knew my game.Thats what you were talking about.You been there now,didnt go you're way,but you got one more year,next year you will getter done.Save the one new move for next year tournament. Thanks for taking us with.Were all coming back with ya!

starting wrestling in a few days and ur a huge motivation, thanks for that man.

Great season buddy! Hold your head up high. I’m super proud of you and honored that you allowed us into your everyday life. Life is beautiful enjoy and laugh as often as you can.

You are where so many people would love to be, never forget that.

It's always about the journey!

That's too bad! I followed you all season. You had a great year! Let's get ready for next year!

Dude I love you and your channel. I am a freshman in highschool and I wanted to try wrestling and this season has been hard but your videos helped me so much. You are an awesome dude and I hope you keep making these videos because I hear the message your trying to send and I wanted to thank you for it. Please keep making videos. GOOD JOB CAYDEN! GO PARKSIDE!

Do y’all remember what happened this man’s junior year in high school? Same thing he got beat in matches he should’ve won and then next year came out firing on all cylinders. Confirmed Cayden national champ next year

Way to leave it on the mat Cayden. Some major competition there and like you said seeds mean nothing! I have no doubt in my mind you'll get that natty in the next 2 years. Thanks for sharing your world man. This year was a major success you improved like crazy from last year and you just gained a lot of experience.

Nice run. Bounce back stronger next year.

There always next year buddy keep going

I def looked a little off ur game. But still a great season my boy! We're all proud of u!

Been waiting for this 😤😤

Debo!!!! Watched him win a juco natty title! Dudes a beast!!!

4:12 For the culture

Your goal was to win nationals, this year you got so much closer than last year. Next year, imagine where you’ll be.

My son watches you every day and say you would release merch so we can buy and he say your a amazing wrestler ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤

Tough break man.. good season though

So proud better luck next year!!

Legend

Congrats on your teammates for performing! Stay hungry brother 141lbs weight class is yours

Best feeling is that comeback!??? An it’s about the work, not the accomplishments

I knew you were thinking too much.. you got it next year bro

Cayden looked baked @5:45 😂😂