Floridian Brady Simmer on a mission to prove wrestling is for everyone

“Brady was different from day one,” explains his mother, Lisa. “He’s been a fighter, a warrior. We realized we needed to raise him without that fear and by encouraging him to be anything he wanted to be.” 

Brady’s father, Jeff, has also been totally supportive of Brady’s wrestling career.

“I think wrestling has really given Brady a purpose and a sense of being.  Besides making him super tough and disciplined, wrestling is somewhere he can fit in and compete.”  

On the recommendation of his dorm supervisor at the Florida School for the Deaf & Blind (FSDB), Brady tried out for the school’s wrestling team. 

“Brady was the hardest worker I’ve ever had,” explains head coach Dayton Newman of FSDB. “He quickly became our motivator; a guy that never stopped trying and always motivated everybody else to try. I wish I could put his grit into every single wrestler that I coach.”

Brady doesn’t like to sugar coat the difficulties he’s had in wrestling, stating, “My first year was rough, as any wrestler’s first year is bound to be. I had a 2-7 losing record. But I fell in love with the sport. Every time I enter the room, I know I’m working towards something.

“It challenges me mentally and physically. When you wrestle, you have to fight the temptation to yield to your opponent.” 

As a prep, Brady placed second in the nation competing for FSDB.

As a visually impaired person, Brady has a unique perspective on the value of wrestling, saying, “I feel that I often have to rely on others in my everyday life.  But with wrestling, I don’t have to rely on anyone but myself to reap enjoyment from the sport. Once I make contact with my partner, it’s all up to me to make things happen.”  

Adds Brady’s father Jeff, “Wrestling has helped him with his confidence and made him even more fearless when out traveling from one place to another.”

During school breaks, Brady trains with two clubs near his hometown: the Hollywood Hooligans and Mocco Wrestling Academy.

“Brady has been a great addition to our club,” said coach Steve Mocco. “He’s so happy to be on the mat practicing. A lot of people talk about having gratitude for the opportunity to train and compete, but with Brady, you really notice it. He advocates and makes things happen for himself, which is a great example for every one of his teammates.”

“Brady has an awesome work ethic. That is the headline,” said coach Keith Gillis of Hollywood Hooligans. “But he also wants to slow down and break down his areas of weaknesses and try to solve them. He has an emotional connection to the sport. He really cares about wrestling, his teammates, and he loves to hear wrestling stories.”

Brady just finished his freshman year at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he is planning to major in psychology. He was a member of the school’s wrestling club.

“The club team has been extremely accepting of me. Wrestling on the club team has been a real grind. It is an entirely different level here, which I maybe underestimated.” 

Like many athletes who have transitioned to a higher level of competition, Brady has dealt with bouts of doubt and lack of motivation.

“Part of me fell out of love with the sport a little bit during this season, but I reminded myself that wrestling isn’t all about the victories. It’s what you gain from the sport. I have the opportunity to show others by competing with my visual impairment that everyone can wrestle, no matter their ability or disability.”

Favorite wrestling shoe: Rudis
Favorite music: Classical composers Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Bach
Go-to conditioning exercise: Live wrestling
Favorite school subject: Writing
Favorite wrestling tournament: US Open or NCAAs
Favorite meal: Chicken, sweet potatoes & broccoli
If I’m not wrestling, I’m… Reading or playing the piano
Favorite wrestler: Brent Metcalf