Key Takeaways: 

  • Marcal Paper’s Blayne Beale volunteers as a wrestling instructor, using the sport to teach self-defense, confidence, and de-escalation skills to people of all experience levels.
  • Beale believes wrestling develops mental toughness and problem-solving abilities that help participants navigate challenges both on the mat and in everyday life.
  • Through coaching, Beale finds fulfillment in helping others discover hidden strengths, overcome obstacles, and grow personally through the discipline of wrestling.

 

Blayne Beale might be a mammoth of man, but his heart is tender. 

The Chicago-based Regional Sales Manager for Marcal Paper is an instructor who teaches wrestling skills to people from all walks of life. 

“I teach wrestling as a means of self-defense,” says Beale. “I give people the skills that help them avoid fighting and to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. I consider myself a big de-escalator.” 

Some people will take Beale’s classes to become better wrestlers in high school and college sports. Others participate to apply the skills they learn to mixed martial arts or in daily life. Some have no experience, which is more than welcome. Even Beale started from scratch 20 years ago. 

“I started in high school because I had a buddy who wrestled,” he reflects. “He was much smaller than me, and was 40 pounds lighter, yet he made me feel like a baby. At 6-foot-6-inches and 250 pounds, I wrestled as a heavyweight.” 

Although wrestling is a team sport, Beale was able to find himself during the individual moments. When he went out on the mat, he knew the match was up to him, and him alone. This allowed Beale to discover new things about himself and figure out who he was as a young adult. 

Today, Beale teaches wrestling classes of six to 15 people, twice a week, at a gym in the Chicago neighborhood of Andersonville, Illinois. 

“I donate my time because I love the sport,” says Beale. “I also love doing it at this gym because the owner is a good guy who is very skilled in martial arts.” 

The people who take Beale’s classes are investing in themselves. Beale says wrestling is one of the hardest sports to master. Not only does it require physical aptitude, it also demands strong mental health. 

“The mental fortitude you gain while learning wrestling applies to real life,” he explains. “You test yourself at maximum capacity. Having it translate into real-life situations makes it easier to confront big challenges.”  

Helping people overcome challenges is important to Beale. He finds joy in seeing people successfully navigate obstacles and learn new things about themselves along the way. 

“I really like watching somebody find their hidden talent or trait or watching them solve a puzzle right in front of you,” he says. “The way you solve a puzzle in this sport can be applied to at least 10 other puzzles in your life.” 

Beale is approaching middle age, but he doesn’t plan on leaving the wrestling life anytime soon. 

“I’m 36 years old and I can still wrestle like I’m much younger. I will wrestle for as long as I can, and hope that I never stop,” he says. “Whether I’m wrestling for a workout or just helping someone be comfortable with their body mechanics, it serves both a physical and mental purpose for me.”  

For those who are thinking about making the leap into wrestling, Beale has some advice. 

“Be patient with yourself, with the journey, and with everything.” 

Gretchen Roufs, a 25-year janitorial supply industry veteran, owns a marketing and public relations company in San Antonio. To suggest someone you think should be featured in “Freetime,” contact her at Gretchen@GretchenRoufs.com. 




POSTED ON: 8/10/2026