London, England.

Let's begin on the night before. August 9th, 2012. Less than 24 hours before I was scheduled to compete in the Olympics. My stomach was full and I was rehydrated after making weight. I was feeling confident and for good reason. I trained like a madman. I cut my weight the right way, and I had beaten almost every guy before in the weight class. This was my Gold medal, and nothing was going to stand in my way. As I lay in bed, before I closed my eyes, I jumped on Twitter and Facebook and was overwhelmed by the positive response. So many of my fans, family and friends posted good lucks an it was helpful. All this love from my fans added reassurance.

See, realistically there is a ton of pressure in being the favorite. I was a World Champion in 2011 and I was still undefeated on the international circuit. People expected me to win, I expected me to win. Not to mention my Twitter name was Alliseeisgold! I had practically promised a Gold for my country, and I wasn't going to let anyone down! Plus if I had lost, I would have had to change my Twitter name. That support and belief from everyone motivated me. I aspire to inspire. This was a platform for me to motivate individuals on a higher level than ever before. Athletes are motivated by one of two things. Either the fear of failure, or the opportunity for success. "What bigger opportunity than the Olympics?"

August 10th, 2012. It's here. The nervousness starts to sink in. I began thinking, "Is this really happening? Is it really my destiny to win an Olympic Gold medal?" Maybe it's not my time yet." That's when I got the most important message leading up to the event. My Dad sent me a message that morning telling me that regardless of whether I won or lost, it was still going to be the best day of his life. Those words made me feel at peace, and at that moment I realized that there was no failure in not becoming an Olympic Champion. Many have tried and failed. At the end of the day, just making it to the games was an accomplishment in itself. This was an opportunity to showcase my skills and hard work on the biggest stage in the world. God had put me in this place at this exact time, to make my country proud. I hopped out of bed, and packed my wrestling bag, it was time to go get my Gold medal.

I grabbed a fresh pair of Asics socks, my Dan Gable Ultraflex wrestling shoes, and 4 singlets. Let me explain why I brought so many singlets. There is a Russian named Denis Tsargush, who at last years World Championships ripped a huge hole in my singlet during our match, and is known for this dirty tactic. So I packed 2 singlets of each color just in case we met and he had any ideas of doing the same thing. The last thing I packed, and the most important item, was my podium outfit for the medal ceremony. As I packed this outfit that Nike provided for us, I thought, "I'm wearing this thing tonight!" I grabbed my iPod and headphones and headed to the venue.

When I arrived at the venue, I could feel the buzz from excitement as the fans swirled around the Excel Center in London. As I laced up my shoes and strolled out to the warmup area, I could feel the eyes from every country fixed on me. I had a mystique surrounding me. The Russians and Iranians stared closely as I warmed up. They were just as nervous as I was, and it showed. I realized that they were all wondering, "Has he improved from last year? Can he do it again." In a couple hours, they would have their answer.

Match 1. Puerto Rico. As I walked out I could here the crowd buzzing in excitement to see me wrestle. I was the biggest name in the tournament, and fans were interested to see if I was worth all the hype. I actually wrestled this guy a week before the games at a training camp in Belarus. I knew I would be able to execute from my feet and get my offense going. This would be a good match for me to get the day going because things got tough from here.

Match 2. Canada. There was only 15 minutes between match 1 and 2. I was still sweating as I walked out for this match. I've been at numerous training camps and tournaments with Gentry but we've never wrestled each other until then. I knew this would be a tough match. Gentry was actually a NCAA champ for Stanford while I was in high school. He is a stud. I was able to score 2 takedowns in the first period, but he had me well scouted. In the second he was able to score the first takedown, but I was able to counter with a takedown of my own to take the lead and hold off a deep shot from Matt late in the 2nd period. The funniest part about wrestling him is that, you know how my slogan is "Alliseisgold" right? His family and friends made shirts for the Olympics that said AllieeisGentry. I wonder if they have thrown them in the trash yet?

Match 3. Russia. This was the match everyone was waiting for. I was nervous! I knew Tsargush was tough, and our match last year was no cake walk. One thing my high school coach always told me was, "In order to be the best, you have to beat the best," and Tsargush was a 2x world champ! The first period was tight, but I was able to score a flurry late to take the lead and win the period 3-1. He dominated me in the second, 2-0. "Had he finally figured me out? Did he have my number now?" I thought. As I walked to the corner with thoughts swirling in my head, and the crowd going nuts, I refocused and prepared to take the 3rd. Boom! Double leg late in the 3rd, followed by a push out with 10 seconds left. I knew the match was over. Inside I was overjoyed, I'm going to the Gold medal final.

Break! I need a nap! I was overwhelmed. Those 1st three matches were like an emotional roller coaster. Luckily some of the USA wrestlers had a hotel room connected to the venue. As I headed back to my room, I was swarmed by fans congratulating me, but I still knew I had one more match. For the next 3 hours all I could think was "One more match." I went back to the room showered, napped and refocused, it was my time.

Match 4. Finals. Iran. This was the 3rd time in the last year that I was wrestling this guy. I had beaten him twice before, so I was feeling extremely confident going into the finals, but still had some doubts. He was killing guys on his way to the finals! I had 2 close matches, and he was dominating. "Was this his destiny and not mine?" Those thoughts were quickly erased when I walked into the arena. Anyone who attended the Olympics knew that when that "Barbara Streishand" song came on, it was time to scrap! As the camera followed me on my way to the mat, I knew the whole world was watching. Everyone that had ever known me, friends, family, old teachers, everyone. In my head I thought, "let's give them something to cheer about." After I won the first period, I remember Zeke Jones and Mark Manning saying to me, "this is your match, you're halfway there champ, go get it." These words of confidence led me to victory. As those final seconds ran off the clock, I was overcome with joy. Anyone that has ever watched me wrestle, knows that I don't get very emotional after wins, but there is something about representing your country, on the biggest stage that is overwhelming. I got to fly my colors.

Immediately afterwards was a whirlwind. I was swarmed with interviews, drug testing, press conferences and autographs. I wrestled at about 8 pm. I didn't finish up all my duties till about midnight. Crazy. But this is what it was all about. This is the life I trained hard and sacrificed for. I dreamed of this day. Literally everyday. As I would get tired during lifts and sprints I would picture myself on top of the podium. When I didn't feel like practicing, I would practice how I would answer interview questions after I won the gold. If i was hungry from cutting weight, I would dream of all the dinners I would be invited to as an Olympic Gold Medalist. I finally had done it. I felt relieved. There was no more pressure. Regardless if I had ever put on a pair of wrestling shoes again, I had solidified myself amongst the greats. I think it was the great Dan Gable who said, "you don't deserve anything, the only thing you deserve is what you earn." Well that day in London, and years before that night, I earned my Gold Medal.

P.S. People ask me what do you do now? You've won everything there is to win. I say, "You're right, I am an Olympic Champ, but now it's time to go put, 2x next to it."

-Jordan