Wrestling is more than physical competition—it embodies life’s journey, filled with challenges, triumphs, and personal growth. Ross McFarlane brilliantly conveys this idea through his captivating children’s book, Is There a Wrestler in You?. This imaginative tale doesn’t merely entertain; it offers children vital lessons about determination, teamwork, and self-confidence.
The Phoenix Wrestling Club
At the heart of the book is the Phoenix Wrestling Club, featuring a colorful cast of animal characters who tackle relatable struggles. Each member of the club is carefully crafted with distinct personalities, vividly bringing to life scenarios that children aged 5 to 10 instantly recognise and connect with. McFarlane weaves together the whimsical fun of beloved children’s classics with heartfelt lessons reminiscent of inspiring sports stories.
This isn’t just a passive read. Instead, it engages young readers in dynamic, interactive experiences. Kids are encouraged to participate actively through physical movements and imaginative play, enhancing their motor skills and coordination. This hands-on approach not only adds excitement but deeply reinforces key themes like perseverance, resilience, and the joy of continuous improvement.
Insights from a Wrestling Coach
Ross McFarlane, who coaches at the Glasgow Wrestling Club and coordinates pathways for the Scottish Junior Wrestling Squad, brings his extensive expertise to this story. However, his teaching method is gentle and approachable. Rather than instructing directly, he invites children to explore and discover important life skills organically, empowering them to build resilience and courage naturally.
McFarlane understands the parallels between wrestling and life beyond the mat. His narrative carefully illustrates essential emotional and social skills such as empathy, teamwork, discipline, and mindfulness. By presenting these elements seamlessly within engaging storylines, he ensures children absorb these invaluable lessons effortlessly, fostering growth without even realising it.
Building Self-Belief Through Participation
One of the standout strengths of the book is how effectively it builds confidence. Through relatable challenges faced by the characters, young readers learn that mistakes and setbacks are natural parts of growing stronger. McFarlane cleverly encourages children to reflect and participate actively in scenarios that mirror their own real-life experiences. This approach nurtures optimism, helping children view challenges as valuable opportunities for growth and self-improvement.
The book’s interactive style naturally prompts children to question whether they, too, possess the potential to join the Phoenix Wrestling Club. By its conclusion, they are guided to confidently recognise that the wrestler within them is indeed present and ready to shine.
Why Families Cherish This Book
Is There a Wrestler in You? stands out for its exceptional ability to blend expert insight with children’s natural curiosity and creativity. Parents appreciate McFarlane’s thoughtful integration of wrestling’s core values with the everyday challenges children face. His playful yet meaningful storytelling approach ensures that kids learn significant lessons in an enjoyable, non-intimidating way.
For children, the animal characters become relatable role models who navigate and overcome familiar struggles such as insecurity, fear, and learning to work effectively with others. Through this gentle exploration, young readers comfortably face their own challenges in a supportive and entertaining context.
Parents find immense value in observing their children’s developing resilience and confidence. McFarlane skillfully balances humor, action, and life lessons, transforming the reading experience into an enjoyable journey filled with discovery and personal growth. Rather than explicit teaching, the narrative subtly encourages self-reflection and positive character development.
Celebrating Cultural Roots
Another significant charm of the book is its cultural authenticity, subtly infused with elements of Scotland’s rich wrestling heritage. McFarlane incorporates these nuances naturally into the narrative, offering readers a culturally rich backdrop alongside the empowering life lessons.
In essence, Is There a Wrestler in You? offers more than entertainment. It serves as a powerful educational tool, helping children build resilience, confidence, and teamwork through relatable storytelling and interactive activities. For parents seeking a fun yet meaningful alternative to screen time, this book is an invaluable resource.
Copies of the book can be purchased on Etsy. It might just help your child discover their inner wrestler—and a wealth of valuable personal strengths along the way.
We had the privilege of interviewing Ross McFarlane. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Hi Ross, It’s great to have you with us today! Please share about yourself with our readers.
Hi, I am the wrestling coach of the Glasgow Wrestling Club in Glasgow, Scotland, and I am also the pathway coordinator for the Scottish Junior Wrestling Squad.
Please tell us about your book.
‘Is there a Wrestler in you?‘ blends storytelling, physical activity, and emotional intelligence in a way that gets children aged 5–10 off screens and into activity. This debut title introduces a dynamic team of animal characters, each with relatable strengths and struggles, as they learn the fundamentals of wrestling and life — from discipline and resilience to mindfulness and teamwork. It’s Captain Underpants meets Coach Carter — with a Scottish twist, sweat, and suplexes.
Please tell us about your journey.
The idea for the book has come off the back of my 25 years in the sport of wrestling, where I got to travel the world experiencing different cultures and training hall environments.
In 2014, I was on the biggest stage I would ever grace — the Commonwealth Games in my hometown of Glasgow. I had won British titles in 2013 and 2014, and finished 5th at the Commonwealth Championships in Johannesburg in December 2013. That made me the most qualified member of the wrestling team heading into the Commonwealth Games, where I reached the quarterfinals before being beaten by the eventual bronze medalist.
Over the next 10 years, I started a family and moved in and out of the wrestling scene, trying to make both the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and the 2022 Games in Birmingham. Although I wasn’t successful in those endeavors, I shifted my focus to coaching and faced the challenges of getting a wrestling club off the ground.
I created the animal characters as a pathway for children to progress through the sport — something that had never been done before. That idea grew into a board game and a children’s book to bring those characters to life. Nearly 12 months on, the kids program in the club is flourishing, and the children’s book is hot off the press, ready for young readers.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Just determination to succeed, a will to win, and do the best I can. I think that’s what wrestling has taught me.
Any message for our readers
The book is to be enjoyed by all; you don’t have to know or understand wrestling. It’s for your children to learn some important life skills, and that’s how we treat the kids at our club too. We want them to do the best in life, not just on the mat.
Thank you so much, Ross, for taking the time to speak with us. We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
1 thought on “Ross McFarlane’s Is There a Wrestler in You? Teaches Kids Perseverance with Laughter and Love”
Comments are closed.