Have you ever wondered about the athletes who reach the height of their sport? For most of them, it can be both exciting and overwhelming. For Gable Steveson, attaining Olympic gold was an extraordinary achievement, but it tagged along with unforeseen challenges. He claimed his dominance in the 125-kilogram freestyle heavyweight division at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by winning a solid gold. But soon after that, Steveson faced a very harsh reality, and the path in sight was as bumpy as it could be.

Gable’s journey was mixed with mental and physical hurdles, and believe it, it was quite demanding in every aspect. It was a test of his skills, willpower, perseverance, dedication, and resilience. Despite these struggles, Steveson went on and rediscovered his passion. He’s prepared for a brand-new season with renewed self.

Gable Steveson went from rebuilding to “made it”

Gable Steveson’s Olympic gold medal should have marked the pinnacle of his career, and it did. Nevertheless, for this multi-title athlete who has won 2x NCAA champion, 2x Hodge Trophy winner, Big Ten champion, and many more, who thought returning to training after such a monumental victory would be a hurdle. “Yeah, I mean, after I got done with the Olympics, I went through a lot of mental battles, you know. It was hard to come back and get my body back to where I needed it to be. I had to put in a lot of work, and it was really tough,” Steveson confessed during his appearance on The Bader Show.

Talking about his Olympic feat, Gable acknowledged it as the highlight of his journey but also as the beginning of an unexpected battleground. Steveson opened up about the drive and energy he once possessed; for him, it seemed to vanish after the win. “It was a struggle,” he admitted. “I mean, I was trying to get back into the gym, and it was just… it was hard. I didn’t have that same energy, the same drive, but I knew I had to push through it.”

The hardest part for Steveson was the feeling of starting from zero. His body wasn’t where it needed to be, and mentally, he had to dig deep to rediscover the mindset of a champion. “I remember feeling that I was just out of shape when I first started training again,” Steveson recalled. This was a far cry from the peak condition he had maintained during his Olympic and NCAA training. But Steveson wasn’t one to give up. “I worked hard and gradually got back into it. It wasn’t easy. It took a lot of time and effort, but I was determined to make it back,” he said.

Everything aside, Steveson’s return wasn’t just about physical and mental challenges—it also involved significant life decisions. After the incredible feat in the Olympics, a one-year contract worth $795,000 was offered to Gable to join the ranks of the Buffalo Bills. Though tempting it might sound, it wasn’t the only factor influencing his decision. Despite having no experience in football, Gable signed with them in May 2024. Unfortunately, even before the start of the regular NFL season, he was waived off by the Bills as he couldn’t make it to their final roster. That’s when Steveson decided to return and focus on his passion for wrestling; he wanted to start over. “My heart was still in the sport I loved, and I knew I had more to give,” he expressed.

Gable Steveson is making a comeback; you see, it’s all about the efforts

The path to make the comeback was long and grueling. Steveson had to rebuild his body, all while pushing through the mental exhaustion of hurdles in life and tough training sessions. He understood that his comeback wouldn’t be quick; amidst the hate and challenges, he continued and refused to let one rough patch define him. “I knew I had to push through the grind. I didn’t want to let one rough patch define my journey,” he said.

Steveson’s focus only increased with each passing second; he was determined to rebuild, and both his body and mind grew sharper. In spite of setbacks, he had his darts set and his goals? shining brightly. When the new season approached, Steveson knew the challenges would not fade. And his past victories weren’t enough to make him complacent. There was an unending hunger, and Gable wanted more. By the time the 2024-2025 season began, Steveson had reshaped his body and mindset, ready to prove once again that he was among the nation’s top collegiate wrestlers.

Steveson made a highly anticipated announcement in November 2024: that he would return to the University of Minnesota’s wrestling program for the 2024-2025 season. With an astounding winning streak of 52 matches, Gable dreams of staying undefeated and ready to own his proven legacy of success. The world of collegiate wrestling awaited him; he heard his calling. Gable’s epic tale of return to the Golden Gophers got everyone on their toes. The old chapter is reopening with the new him, ever stronger.