My advice to young wrestlers is that your surroundings really

When Dan Gable declared, “My advice to young wrestlers is that your surroundings really make a difference. You want to put yourself in good, positive surroundings,” he was not merely giving counsel for the sport of wrestling—he was giving a philosophy for life itself. For the soil in which a seed is planted will determine whether it flourishes or withers. Even the strongest oak cannot grow in poisoned ground. Likewise, even the most gifted athlete, the most talented mind, or the most ambitious heart will falter if trapped in surroundings filled with negativity, distraction, or despair.

The ancients knew this truth well. Plato warned that the soul becomes like the company it keeps, and Confucius declared that a man who walks with good companions will grow righteous, but one who walks with the corrupt will stumble. Gable’s wisdom echoes theirs, forged not in classrooms but in the crucible of the wrestling mat, where discipline, sacrifice, and resilience are demanded daily. To place oneself in positive surroundings is to build a fortress of strength around the spirit, one that protects against weakness and nurtures excellence.

History gives us clear testimony of this principle. Consider Alexander the Great, who surrounded himself not only with warriors but also with philosophers and strategists. He sought the counsel of Aristotle, who opened his mind to the wisdom of the ancients. Because his surroundings sharpened both his body and his mind, Alexander conquered not only with force but with vision. His greatness was not merely his own—it was shaped by the circle he chose to keep.

So too, in the story of Dan Gable himself, we find the embodiment of this truth. Known as one of the greatest wrestlers and coaches in history, Gable did not rise to glory alone. He forged himself in training rooms filled with discipline, teammates who demanded his best, and coaches who expected nothing less than total commitment. These positive surroundings became the forge in which his indomitable will was tempered, allowing him to achieve what others thought impossible.

At the heart of his teaching lies a powerful call: be vigilant about where you place yourself. The world is filled with voices—some inspire courage, others sow doubt. Some drive you to greatness, others tempt you to mediocrity. To live with wisdom is to choose carefully the people, places, and energies that surround you. For as surely as a wrestler is shaped by his training partners, so too is every person shaped by their daily environment.

The lesson is clear: if you desire greatness, then dwell among those who pursue greatness. If you desire virtue, then surround yourself with the virtuous. If you seek peace, then walk with those who cultivate peace. And if you wish to rise, then leave behind the surroundings that drag you into the dust. For no one ascends alone; we are all lifted or pulled down by the company we keep.

In practice, this means examining your life with honesty. Who are the voices around you—do they build or do they destroy? What environments do you place yourself in—do they nurture your best or feed your worst? Seek out mentors, companions, and communities that ignite your spirit. Guard your heart against those who poison your energy. Build your daily life so that even the air you breathe strengthens your will.

Thus let us take to heart the wisdom of Dan Gable: your surroundings make all the difference. Place yourself in good, positive surroundings, and you will rise. In the end, it is not only the strength of your body or the brilliance of your mind that will carry you forward, but the field in which you plant your soul. Choose the fertile ground, and your life will bear fruit worthy of remembrance.