Dan Gable: Learning from the many wins and the painful losses as an Olympic champion
- Greg Inglin
- Aug 1
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 12

Dan Gable's story transcends sports; it's a narrative of personal tragedy and triumph. Regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers in history, Gable achieved remarkable success with three High School State Championships, two NCAA Championships, and an Olympic Gold Medal. As a college coach, he led the University of Iowa to 15 National Titles during his 21-year tenure.
Yet, he is also known for his experiences with loss: He lost the final match of his college career, ending a 181-match winning streak. His most profound loss occurred in high school when his older sister was tragically murdered.
Gable discusses these experiences on the Pay Your Dues podcast, continuing to share his story to inspire others.