Unshackled Stefano Conetta Determined To Beat The Odds
Website or Main Profile Link
https://www.instagram.com/stefanoconetta/
What is your primary sport?
Mixed Martial Arts
How would you describe your strengths as an athlete? What makes you different and unique from your competitors?
I would say that one of my strengths as an athlete is definitely my work ethic. I’m always the first person in the gym and the last one to leave. I work my behind off everyday. There hasn’t been a single day I haven’t trained it doesn’t matter where I am. I started doing martial arts basically since I was born. I had my first encounter to this world at the age of 2 when I started karate lessons.
Then I moved on to tae kwon do and progressed as I learned from all of the disciplines. I also believe that my background in contact sports play a huge influence into why I differ from my competitors. I have a gigantic background in the world of rugby.
As I was mentored by Brian Worthington, a New Zealand coach who worked alongside the ‘all blacks’; this really set the startup for my wrestling experience. I truly believe that I have to be the hardest working person in every room I step in.
Tell us about a specific time you encountered a major obstacle and thoroughly describe how you overcame it.
In 2017 I broke my ankle training. This let me to undergo surgery being as a result from the injury. Because of this I wasn’t able to train for a year, until my ankle was fully recovered. I gained a lot of weight since for most of the time I was sitting on a couch watching tv or eating.
After the year passed I thought I wasn’t going to be back at my 100% but I thought wrong. With the help of my coaches and friends I was able to improve even more, my determination and work ethics beat the odds and I surpassed expectations, this motivated me even more and influenced the athlete I currently am.
Explain in detail, your definition of success?
I believe that success is a sense of direction, confidence and joy. It is when you achieve a position in life when you’ve gained stability. You’ve gained mental stability by transforming your dreams into a reality, whilst being able to look after your family by living your dream life at full happiness.
How would you respond to this statement: “Leaders are born NOT built”
I somewhat agree. I believe that all leaders have something in common. Their factor of greatness. Nevertheless, I also believe that every single one of us is born with that superpower. It’s up to yourself as an individual to exercise that power on a daily basis. This is what makes leaders. A combination of greatness installed at birth upon every single one of us, and a hard working individual.
If you gave advice to a young athlete, what is the GREATEST lesson you would share from your sports experience?
I would give them two pieces of advice. The first one being: Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and what you can’t do. If your dream is realistic enough for you, as long as you give it your all, it is accomplishable. The second advice would be, work hard. Hard work beats talent any day of the week. You have to make sure that you are the hardest worker in the room.
What is your favoriate sports movie or show?
My favorite sports show is Kingdom. I like it because it really captures the essence of the life of an MMA fighter.
Who is the person you admire the most and model your work ethic after?
My Father, he is the hardest working person I’ve ever met. I take pride in saying that I’m his son. He was also a fighter, which is were I get my roots from, and the best mentor one could ask for.
List your accomplishments, awards, records, certifications, etc…
I’m highly decorated martial artist in disciplines such as:
- Karate
- Tae kwon do
- Jiu Jitsu
- Box
- Kick Box
- MMA with a wrestling background
I’m also a decorated athlete in sports such as:
- Swimming
- Rugby
- Athletics
How would you classify your current status?
Professional athlete (current)
