Beyond the Breaking Point

Mike Houck’s gold in 1985 broke the final medal barrier for American Greco-Roman wrestlers and paved the way for me and fellow Olympic medalist Matt Lindland. I couldn’t have done it without Mike!

-Rulon Gardner, 2000 Olympic gold in Greco-Roman Wrestling, 2001 world champion

Mike Houck was my fiercest American opponent. We battled for years. Love his insights in this great book! Wow!

-Steve Fraser, 1984 Olympic champion, USA National Greco-Roman coach

Let’s Go! America’s first Greco-Roman world gold medalist tells his gold medal story in gold medal fashion. I read it in one sitting due to the inspiring writing style and nuggets of wisdom shared-Wild Tiger, Stick and Move, Honor God. Great lessons shared to be successful in life.

-Joe Russell, manager of freestyle programs, USA Wrestling

How do you go 0-7 at the state wrestling championships and become the first Greco-Roman world champion in US history? Mike Houck shares the steps it took to achieve the seemingly impossible and what we can learn from his improbable rise to the top. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a higher level.

-Kyle Klingman, FloWrestling content creator

We have records through the course of history of individuals who have done what others thought impossible. One of those impossible feats was that an American could win a world title in Greco-Roman wrestling. Mike walks us through the steps of his physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual epic saga, with a vulnerability most are too proud to admit. His need for Jesus Christ and a reliance on those God placed in his life to help him rise above the internal and external obstacles to do the impossible and become America’s first Greco-Roman world champion.

-Jim Gruenwald, Olympian, head wrestling/strength coach, Wheaton College

Beyond the Breaking Point tells the story of Mike Houck’s quest for Olympic glory and a world championship in Greco-Roman wrestling. It is written in a compelling and captivating fashion. Greco-Roman wrestling was one of the original and foundational sports in the Olympic Games and remains fiercely competitive throughout the world. Mike’s is a David-versus-Goliath story; he and his band of brothers at the Minnesota Wrestling Club set out to challenge an Eastern European juggernaut. Mike was ultimately successful, becoming the first American to win a world championship in the sport, defeating a two-time and defending world champion from the Soviet Union in the process. Throughout, Mike allows the reader onto the mat with him to experience the preparation, pain, and exhilaration of world class competition. While the book is a sports story well told, it is much more. Mike pours a lifetime of experience as an athlete, teacher, coach, and parent into the telling. His book is an honest, inspirational and instructive guide to becoming a champion in both athletics and life. I was struck by what an incredible job Mike has done with his book. Even at my advanced age, I found so many pearls for living a satisfying and productive life. I would rank it on par with classics like Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success or Percy Cerutty’s How to Become a Champion.

-Shaun Koos, coauthor of Eyewitness: My Journey to the Hague

Mike Houck is a world champion Greco-Roman wrestler, coach, educator, and storyteller from Minnesota. In 1985, he became the first American to win a Greco-Roman world championship gold medal during the height of the Cold War, breaking through a decades-long Soviet stronghold in the sport. Through Beyond the Breaking Point, Mike shares a powerful story of perseverance, faith, disappointment, and the discovery of purpose beyond achievement.

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