This is your reminder that you’re not back in high school wrestling practice. You’re not in college practice either. You’re not training with people the same age, same size, same condition as you.

Now, you share the mats with people 20 years older or 20 years younger, 20 pounds lighter or 20 pounds heavier. You can’t treat everyone like they’re you. Different weight classes, different ages, different bodies. Your game has to adjust.

When you train, your first priority should be your partner’s safety. Second is your own.

Without training partners, you won’t get better. If you’re hurt, you won’t get better. If you’re reckless and get asked to leave, you won’t get better.

And even if you only care about yourself, the logic doesn’t change. Looking out for your partners is in your own best interest, because it keeps them healthy, keeps you on the mats, and makes the room stronger. You may not see that payoff right away, but it always comes back around.

So if you’re a selfish person, that’s fine. Look ahead and see that protecting your partners means you get to stay selfish.