“I was injured nearly 90% of the time I was wrestling. But I always found a way to work around the injuries, which gave me a “noquit” mentality.”
Kurt Angle’s journey is one of unparalleled resilience and triumph over adversity. As a celebrated wrestler, he not only secured an Olympic gold medal in 1996 but did so while overcoming a devastating neck injury—a testament to his indomitable spirit. In this interview, Angle opens up about the mental toughness and dedication required to excel at the highest levels of sport. He credits much of his resilience to his late father, whose influence shaped Kurt’s drive and commitment, fueling his journey from a small-town wrestler to a world champion. Despite facing immense challenges, including a battle with addiction, Angle’s story is a powerful narrative of redemption and purpose, especially as he now works to support future athletes and inspire others through his experiences.
Beyond wrestling, Angle’s life continues to inspire through new endeavors. He’s currently involved in producing a movie about his life, collaborating with directors Ian and Eshom Nelms to tell his Olympic journey on the big screen. The film envisioned as a two-part series, will chronicle his rise to Olympic glory and, if successful, follow up with his pro wrestling career and battles with fame and addiction. His commitment extends to philanthropy, raising funds for USA Wrestling athletes to enable full-time training and reduce financial barriers—a mission close to his heart as he supports both male and female wrestlers, particularly in the rapidly growing field of women’s wrestling.
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
Table of Contents
What mental strategies did you develop to win an Olympic gold medal even with a broken neck? And how do you keep that same discipline today?
Kurt Angle: I was injured nearly 90% of the time I was wrestling. But I always found a way to work around the injuries, which gave me a “no-quit” mentality. Despite my injuries, I won 98% of my matches, proving that even under challenging circumstances, success is possible. That’s how I look at life now—anything that comes my way, I’ll push through and keep moving forward.
Who or what motivated that resilience in you? Most people, when they’re injured, think, “I’ll wait until I’m fully recovered,” but you just kept going. What drove you to push through?
Kurt Angle: I’d have to say it comes from my dad. He passed away when I was a freshman in high school after a construction accident. Sports were very important to him and our family; he played football for the Army. All six of us kids played sports to make him proud. He never missed any of our events, no matter what. After he passed, I dedicated my athletic career to him and became more focused and determined, setting bigger goals for myself. By my senior year, I was succeeding in football and wrestling, got scholarships, and decided to keep going. My dad is my main inspiration.
Why did you choose wrestling over football or other sports?
Kurt Angle: I didn’t have much choice. I was the youngest of six, and my brothers all wrestled and were very good. When I started, I wasn’t good at all. I struggled at first, and my family doubted if I’d ever improve. But when my dad passed, the light bulb went on, and I started focusing, and training seriously. I won a state championship in high school, two national titles in college, the world championship in 1995, and the Olympic gold in 1996.
Incredible! Where did you go to high school and college?
Kurt Angle: I went to Mount Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, and then Clarion University. It’s a small college with a strong wrestling program, and they’re Division I in wrestling even though they’re Division II in other sports and competed in the same league as Penn State, Pitt, and West Virginia. Back then, it was called the EWL. So, I chose this smaller school. I didn’t get heavily recruited because I was only a one-time state champion. I wanted to stay close to home so my family could attend my matches. For schools like Iowa or Oklahoma State, you need to be a three or four-time champion. I was a late bloomer, and it was at Clarion that I started to find real success.
You’ve also faced personal challenges, like addiction. Can you talk about how you rebuilt your life and what you’ve learned about resilience and redemption?
Kurt Angle: My addiction was an incredibly tough period. The first time I took a painkiller, I loved the feeling—it gave me euphoria and masked my pain after I broke my neck for a second time. So I was supposed to take one every four to six hours for pain. But after a while, my body built up a tolerance, and one pill wasn’t enough anymore. Then I had to take two, then two became four, and four became eight.
Before I knew it, I was taking 65 extra-strength Vicodin a day—it was enough to kill a horse. It got that bad, and there was no turning back. I also started drinking alcohol, which made everything worse. I ended up getting four DUIs in five years. I made some terrible choices. I remember calling my wife from jail after the fourth DUI, and she told me, ‘Listen, I can’t do this anymore. Either go to rehab, or I’m taking the kids and leaving.’ I didn’t want to lose my wife and kids, so I went to rehab. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. My attachment to the addiction, to the painkillers, nearly rivaled my love for my family. But in the end, my wife and kids won—I chose them over the drugs. I’ve been clean and sober for about 14 years now, and once I got clean, I never looked back.
Stepping back into wrestling, is there a particular title or championship that stands out as the most memorable?
Kurt Angle: That’s tough because every level has its own significance. Winning the Olympic gold in 1996 is what defines me, though. I beat the Iranian favorite, who was dominating the competition. He wasn’t supposed to lose, but I kept the match close, got him tired, and my game plan worked. Winning for my country, my family, and myself—that’s what I’m most proud of.
Wrestling is such a tough, solitary sport, and it sounds like you handled it with real grace. What was it like competing in the Olympics?
Kurt Angle: I won the gold medal in 1996, and I was fortunate that the Olympics were held in Atlanta. Competing on home soil meant I didn’t have to adjust to a new time zone or environment, which made things a bit easier. It was an incredible feeling to win gold in front of a home crowd.
What’s the biggest difference you see between the support U.S. wrestlers get compared to other countries?
Kurt Angle: Countries like Russia and China have a significant advantage because their governments fund their athletes to train full-time, so they don’t have to work. Here in the U.S., our athletes often need to take jobs, which cuts into their training time. Olympic athletes should be training 10-12 hours a day, not working around a job schedule. I’m here to raise funds for USA Wrestling so our men’s and women’s teams can train full-time without financial concerns.
My primary focus is on supporting the women’s team, as my daughter wrestles, and women’s wrestling has really surged in popularity. Our women dominated at the last Olympics, earning four medals, which was incredible. I’m committed to raising funds for these athletes. With the 2024 Olympics just concluded, they’re already training for the 2028 Games, and the new athletes preparing for their first Olympics in 2028 have also begun training. That’s why I’m getting involved now—so they won’t have to juggle jobs over the next few years. They can focus fully on training and competition, and that’s my goal.
Do you have a fundraising goal?
Kurt Angle: Yes, we’re aiming for a million dollars. It’s not much when you consider each athlete’s needs, but it’s a start.
You’re also involved with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. What inspired you to support first responders and veterans?
Kurt Angle: My dad was in the Army, so I know the sacrifices these families make. Tunnel to Towers pays off mortgages for families of fallen heroes, and I wish they’d been around when my dad passed, as it would have really helped us. It’s an incredible organization, and I’m honored to work with them.
How do you see the landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights evolving for college wrestlers, both male and female? Are wrestlers getting any real opportunities in the NIL space, and are there more chances for female wrestlers?
Kurt Angle: It really depends on the program. Top schools like Iowa, Penn State, and Oklahoma State may offer better NIL opportunities for wrestlers, but at smaller colleges, it’s less common. The support is mostly limited to those high-profile programs.
For female wrestlers, I actually see a lot of opportunity. The sport keeps growing, with more women’s wrestling programs being added at high schools and colleges every year. I believe that within the next 20 years, we’ll see as many women’s programs as men’s. These women are passionate about wrestling and love the competition. Helen Maroulis, one of my favorite female wrestlers, has had tremendous success and continues to be an incredible role model for young women in the sport.
Let’s dive into the movie project you’re working on—it sounds incredible and clearly means a lot to you. Can you tell us more about it?
Kurt Angle: This movie follows my journey, starting as a kid from the streets of Pittsburgh, overcoming countless obstacles, including breaking my neck right before the Olympics, and eventually winning the gold medal. It’ll have a Rocky-like feel with elements of The Fighter and The Iron Claw. I’m especially excited because, for the first time, I’ll be behind the camera, helping shape this project to make it the best it can be.
The directors, Ian and Eshom Nelms, are talented. They’ve directed films like Fatman with Mel Gibson and Red Right Hand with Orlando Bloom. The film will focus solely on my Olympic story and end there. The directors see it as a two-part series. The first film, Angle One, will cover my Olympic career, and if it’s successful, Angle Two will go into my pro wrestling career and the battles with addiction that followed.
So, Angle One will highlight your triumphs and challenges leading to Olympic gold, while Angle Two will cover the darker struggles you faced afterward?
Kurt Angle: Exactly. Angle One will be about my rise and the obstacles I overcame to win gold, and Angle Two will explore the battles with addiction and the new challenges fame brought.
How close are you to starting production?
Kurt Angle: We’re aiming to release it right before the next Olympics, so we have some time. The script is nearly finished, and we’re securing investors, which is going well. We’ll begin casting in the next few months, with filming set to start in mid-2025 or early 2026, aiming for a theatrical release in 2027.
What’s your wellness routine like today?
Kurt Angle: I focus on maintenance more than heavy lifting. I’ve had knee replacements, back surgery, five neck surgeries, and I’ll need shoulder replacements soon. I do a lot of stretching, yoga, anti-gravity traction, and lower back exercises. Keeping my body active is key—if I stop, I’d become immobile.
With your history of severe injuries and past reliance on painkillers, how do you manage pain now?
Kurt Angle: I do a lot of neck stretching and traction therapy, which helps. I also do a movement called “rooster neck,” where I move my head forward and back to break up scar tissue around each vertebra. It helps keep my neck mobile. I used to swim competitively, and the breaststroke motion really wore out the discs in my neck. The constant movement left me with the neck of an 80-year-old, according to my doctors.
Is there anyone you admire in the wellness field?
Kurt Angle: I have a good friend who I think would make an incredible interview for you. His name is Mark Calloway—better known as The Undertaker in pro wrestling. He’s a fascinating individual, incredibly athletic and intelligent. He’s spent his entire career deeply committed to his character, but he’s far from your typical pro wrestler; he brings a unique depth and versatility to everything he does. I’d really love to see his story shared.
Support USA Wrestling Athletes
To help support the athletes of USA Wrestling and contribute to their training and development, you can make a donation at KurtAngle.org. Every contribution goes directly to helping athletes focus on their Olympic dreams without financial concerns.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Kurt Angle for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Kurt Angle or his company, you can do it through his – Instagram
Rockstar Profile
Kurt Angle: The Unyielding Olympian Turned Wrestling Icon
Kurt Angle is a name synonymous with resilience, achievement, and versatility. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Angle’s journey from a determined young athlete to an Olympic hero, and later, a wrestling legend, is a story marked by tenacity, talent, and triumph over adversity. With a decorated career spanning Olympic gold medals, world championship wrestling titles, and now film and video game roles, Angle continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
The Olympic Dream
In 1996, Kurt Angle made history by winning an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the Atlanta Summer Games. His victory was not just a display of his wrestling prowess but a testament to his incredible mental and physical fortitude.
Leading up to the Olympics, Angle sustained a fractured neck injury severe enough to end most athletic careers. Yet, through sheer willpower, rigorous training, and relentless determination, he persevered. Competing with a broken vertebra, Angle overcame unimaginable pain and emerged victorious, earning him the nickname, “The Wrestling Machine.”
This remarkable feat solidified Angle’s place in sports history as the first American to win a gold medal in the 220 lb freestyle wrestling category. His triumph remains a source of inspiration, illustrating that unwavering dedication can defy the odds.
Transition to Professional Wrestling: A New Chapter
Following his Olympic success, Angle initially distanced himself from professional wrestling, considering it a spectacle that detracted from the purity of amateur wrestling. However, after experimenting with other ventures, including a brief stint as a sports commentator, Angle reconsidered.
His perspective changed when he joined Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1998, finding new respect for the sport and its athletes. Angle’s technical skills, showmanship, and charisma quickly propelled him to stardom.
Throughout his career, Angle accumulated numerous accolades. He became the first professional wrestler to hold both the WWF and WCW World Championships in the same calendar year, and he secured the title of TNA Triple Crown Champion twice.
Notably, in 2003, Angle defeated Lesnar in a thrilling WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, becoming the first wrestler to make Lesnar submit. Kurt’s courage was also evident in his quick return to the ring following spinal surgery in April 2003, despite an initial prognosis of 12-14 months of recovery.
Expansion Beyond Wrestling
Angle’s career has expanded well beyond the wrestling ring. He has appeared in several TV shows, including WWE SmackDown!, WWE Raw, and Emergency: LA, showcasing his diverse talents. His 2023 documentary Kurt Angle offered a closer look into his life and career, capturing the highs and lows of his extraordinary journey.
Kurt Angle’s influence continues to extend into new territories. Fans can look forward to his return to the virtual wrestling world with his role in the highly anticipated WWE 2K24 video game, solidifying his ongoing legacy as an influential figure in professional wrestling.
A New Era: Kurt Angle in Film
Angle’s foray into acting has brought him roles that resonate with his larger-than-life persona. He will soon grace the silver screen as a military general in The Epidemic, a 2024 military action film expected to captivate audiences with intense drama and high-stakes storytelling. This role marks another milestone in his diverse career, proving that Kurt’s talent transcends athletic achievements.
However, it is his upcoming movie about his Olympic career that promises to be a heartfelt homage to his legacy. Directed by the acclaimed Ian and Eshom Nelms, this film chronicles Angle’s journey from his Pittsburgh roots to his historic Olympic victory.
The narrative is inspired by classic sports dramas such as Rocky, The Fighter, and The Iron Claw, promising an emotionally charged retelling of Kurt’s unmatched resilience and determination. The movie aims to capture the essence of his grueling training, relentless spirit, and the physical and emotional challenges that nearly cost him his dream.
Expansion Beyond Wrestling
Angle’s career has expanded well beyond the wrestling ring. He has appeared in several TV shows, including WWE SmackDown!, WWE Raw, and Emergency: LA, showcasing his diverse talents. His 2023 documentary Kurt Angle offered a closer look into his life and career, capturing the highs and lows of his extraordinary journey.
Kurt Angle’s influence continues to extend into new territories. Fans can look forward to his return to the virtual wrestling world with his role in the highly anticipated WWE 2K24 video game, solidifying his ongoing legacy as an influential figure in professional wrestling.
Beyond the Gold Medals and Championships
Kurt Angle’s career has been defined not only by his remarkable achievements but by his indomitable spirit. He was the first person inducted into both the WWE Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, underlining his unique impact on both professional and amateur wrestling.
His legacy also features awe-inspiring moments, such as beating The Big Show in a street fight on WWE SmackDown! and pinning Brock Lesnar to reclaim the WWE Championship at Vengeance in 2003, shortly after his neck surgery.
Despite the accolades, Angle’s journey was not without its struggles. From facing career-threatening injuries to reconciling his initial disdain for professional wrestling, he has remained a figure defined by reinvention and resilience. His story continues to inspire countless fans and athletes, demonstrating that true champions are those who refuse to back down in the face of adversity.
The Legacy Lives On
Kurt Angle’s story is one of constant transformation. From his Olympic gold to his rise as a WWE icon, and now stepping into new endeavors, his journey showcases an unwavering drive and adaptability.
It’s a tale of embracing change and overcoming challenges, with each chapter building on his remarkable legacy.
Disclaimer: The WellnessVoice Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
