Andrew Weiss

Dear Terry Davis,

"You think I'm just another muscle-bound, sex-crazed, fuzzy-brained, futureless jock. But you're wrong. I dream big. I love hard. I think far. I act fast. I live humbly. I want to win. And, yeah, I'm a jock. My vision. My quest. My life." This overview to Vision Ouest hooked me into picking it up. I read it at the same time that wrestling became a part of my life.

One of the main reasons that I connected to this story is because I have faced a few of the same wrestling challenges that the main character has also faced. Cutting weight was Louden's main concern. I know exactly how that feels. It's really hard, and you have to be very self-disciplined to do so. When I'm cutting weight for a certain tournament or meet, I have to be constantly reminding myself to eat properly no matter how much I want to eat what I please. Concentration is always on my mind as well. If I concentrate on the thing I'm working towards, it becomes a little easier to achieve that goal.
Being self-disciplined also plays a key role in other aspects of my life. School, sticking to a certain workout routine, and being a good citizen, are just a few of the things that I need to stay on top of. Sometimes that I am self-disciplined are at practice and school or any other time that I am with a group of people doing things that may be fun, but not the best choice. I have to tell myself that even though it could be fun, I need to be the best person I can be and do what's right.

Another connection that I made, was that in the story Louden has a huge rival named Gary Shute. He's mainly the only reason Louden's cutting weight. I have had a big rival too. For a while in the story it seems as if Louden's whole life was based around this one person. I can relate to that as well, but not as intense as Louden can. As for my rival, our first match was at the districts for state a state tournament. We had a good match though he beat me bye two points to win the tournament. Still though, the feeling of our next upcoming match gives me the power and fuel that I need to keep pushing myself that little extra bit to do a few more reps in the weight room, run that extra mile, or stay and do a few more sit outs after practice when everyone else has already left. I know the feeling of training just for one individual match.
 
At the very end of the book Louden says that when the whistle blows, through him flows the power to blast Grand Coulee Dam to smithereens. I feel that same emotion deep within me. On our bus rides to the meets I get really nervous. Before my matches when I'm waiting to wrestle, I also get nervous, same as Louden. The nervous adrenaline powers me. I listen to music before my match and don't like to be disturbed. I sit by myself so nobody will bother me, and I can think about what I'm going to do in my match.

Being self-disciplined is one of the few ways that helps me to accomplish my goals in life. If I stay focused and do what I'm supposed to do then anything that I put to mind is possible. This book really taught me the kind of hard work that it takes to succeed in life, and I'm grateful for that.
 
Sincerely,
Andrew Weiss