But Slay is a rare breed of athlete that is able to put other things in front of his training, or his sport. For Slay, that one thing is his faith.
It is that faith that helped Slay to found Greater Gold, a message and philosophy teaching people to always strive to reach their full potential -– to go for gold in life.
"We should go for the gold in art, music, sports, business, education, leadership, and beyond. However, the gold's of the world will never fulfill us and should never define us. There is a greater treasure, a greater reward, and a Greater Gold that can only be found through integrity, love for others, genuine community, and a personal relationship with The Savior, Jesus," Slay said.
"Hedonism, intellectualism, materialism, and the successes of the world will always leave you empty. Our Creator, Heavenly Father, and Savior is the only One meant to fulfill us on earth and in Heaven," he added.
Slay's faith in God is strong, and he is proud to tell others about it. Without that faith, Slay does not feel that he would have captured that Olympic gold in 2000.
"It's crucial before, during, and after your career," Slay said. "Physical and mental strength will only get you so far, but the addition of spiritual strength produces complete athletes. Faith gives you the freedom to do your best and let Got take care of the rest. Faith empowers you to do the natural and allows God to do the Supernatural."
While Slay's faith remains the same, the sport of wrestling has changed so much around him. He has dipped his hands into many different jars, keeping him busy throughout the year.
Slay works full-time for Stream Realty Partners, a commercial real estate firm in downtown Dallas, while also running Greater Gold Wrestling Clubs in Texas, Washington and Kansas.
On top of all that, Slay helps with the Dallas Dynamite Wrestling Club every Thursday night at Highland Park High School and he is still a favorite wrestling clinician across the country, giving him the opportunity to spread his message of success and Greater Gold even more.
"Now that I am working full-time, my free time has been minimized. But, I'll always pour a section of my life into the sport which makes me who I am today," Slay said.
Three years ago, Slay thought about making another run at Olympic gold. He moved out to the U.S. Olympic Training Center for a brief period to test his skills against some of the best in the U.S.
Already, many changes had occurred in the sport. Slay's Olympic weight class of 167.5 lbs. no longer existed. He either needed to get smaller, a tough option for a wrestler with his short, stocky build, or he needed to get bigger.
After a short stint at the USOTC, Slay decided to finally retire.
"Once you accomplish a life long dream, your intensity to do it again is not the same. I believe your desire determines your destiny, and my desire wasn't strong enough to reach wrestling's apex once again," he said. "When it was time to run sprints while pushing to catch the guy in front of you or climb 25 foot ropes until I couldn't feel my forearms anymore, I started thinking about lunch instead of pushing myself harder."
Brandon Slay"The OTC in 2003 was much different. The environment for training was different, the coaches were different, and the training partners were different. All these things led to my retirement."
Slay also gets frustrated by all the rules changes that seem to be ongoing within international wrestling. While he is still sure of the success he would have under the new rules, he does not feel the sport can continue at its current pace of rules changes.
"If an Olympic champion shows up at a tournament and a 10 year-old has to explain some the new rules to him, there is a problem. Yes, other mainstream sports have rule changes, but if Emmitt Smith walked away from the game for a few years, on his return, he wouldn't miss a beat. Wrestling is ever changing and ever confusing to your average fan," Slay said. "Personally, with unlimited gut wrenches, I would have been even more dangerous as long as my takedown skills continued to increase."
Nonetheless, Slay would love to continue his role with Real Pro Wrestling when Season Two gets underway later this year.
In Season One, he coached the Texas Shooters alongside another Olympic champion Kenny Monday, who along with Slay has helped build the state of Texas into a competitive state nationally at the youth and high school levels.
In that nearly six years away from wrestling, a lot has changed for Slay, but in some ways, a lot as stayed the same.
"My mentality to compete, win and be the best in the working world is still alive. Though, I have learned that earthly success will never fulfill you," Slay said.
And that maturity would be considered normal.
Favorite Country Singer:
George Strait's old stuff and Travis Tritt's love songs.
Favorite Rock Song:
"Tomorrow" by Silverchair
Favorite song to sing:
She Talks to Angels: by The Black Crows
Advice for any young athlete thinking of wrestling:
If you want to win tons of matches, it's going to take time and a lot of commitment. Work extra hard, believe in yourself, make good decisions, and use the gifts God has given you. My personal mode of operation is this: Plan for the future yet live in the moment while choosing right.
The strength of your message without winning an Olympic gold:
The message would not have been as powerful. The gold medal sets the stage for the Greater Gold message. Without the experience of accomplishing the gold's of the world, it's hard to encourage others that there is something ultimately greater.
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