‘Is There a Wrestler in You?’ By Ross McFarlane Is One Of The Most Uplifting Kids Book of the Year

Discovering the Wrestler Within

Wrestling is more than a test of physical strength or the quest for victory. It’s a metaphor for life’s challenges, an exploration of personal limits, and an opportunity for young people to discover courage and resilience. Ross McFarlane captures this beautifully in his children’s book, Is There a Wrestler in You?, offering kids not just an entertaining story but a meaningful experience filled with practical lessons.

Join the Phoenix Wrestling Club

McFarlane introduces children to an engaging team known as the Phoenix Wrestling Club, composed of lively animal characters that each possess relatable personalities and familiar struggles. Imagine a delightful mix of playful adventure similar to Captain Underpants combined with the motivational spirit of Coach Carter. Set against a charming Scottish backdrop, these characters instantly captivate young readers aged 5 to 10, drawing them into an exciting and relatable narrative.

This isn’t merely a storybook; it’s an interactive experience. Children actively engage with the characters, participating through movements and imaginative activities that help them physically feel part of the wrestling action. The book cleverly weaves in playful exercises designed to develop balance, agility, and perseverance, reinforcing the core idea that trying hard is more valuable than achieving perfection.

Lessons from an Expert

Ross McFarlane, who coaches at the Glasgow Wrestling Club and serves as the pathway coordinator for the Scottish Junior Wrestling Squad, brings credibility and real-life expertise to every page. Yet, his approach remains gentle and inviting rather than prescriptive. Through subtle guidance, he encourages readers to recognise their potential and develop resilience organically.

McFarlane knows firsthand how wrestling mirrors life’s broader challenges—highlighting emotional intelligence, teamwork, discipline, and mindfulness alongside physical prowess. The book’s charm lies in its subtle ability to impart these essential life skills effortlessly, ensuring children learn valuable lessons without even noticing.

Confidence Building through Interaction

A key strength of the book is its ability to help children overcome self-doubt and cultivate confidence. McFarlane skillfully shows readers that setbacks aren’t failures but stepping stones toward growth and improvement. The book’s interactive prompts encourage young readers to pause, reflect, and actively participate, fostering an optimistic mindset that helps them eagerly embrace life’s challenges.

The story naturally draws children into its world, leading them to wonder if they too could join the Phoenix Wrestling Club. By the book’s conclusion, the narrative gently yet powerfully convinces young readers that the answer is a definite “Yes!”

Why Families Are Embracing This Book

What distinguishes Is There a Wrestler in You? isn’t solely its engaging narrative or interactive elements—it’s the seamless blend of professional insight and understanding of children’s curiosity and imaginative play. Parents appreciate how McFarlane thoughtfully connects children’s everyday challenges with wrestling, making the story both relatable and inspiring.

For children, the animal characters become mirrors, reflecting their own experiences with courage, teamwork, and resilience. The playful scenarios allow kids to explore and overcome real-life fears in a safe, entertaining manner, turning reading into an active and meaningful exercise.

Parents value seeing their children grow in self-confidence and resilience through this storytelling approach. McFarlane expertly balances humor, action, and meaningful lessons, transforming reading into a joyous experience that resonates deeply with kids. Rather than lecturing, the narrative gently encourages personal discovery and character growth.

Cultural Flair and Authenticity

Another charming feature of the book is its authentic Scottish context. McFarlane subtly incorporates Scotland’s rich wrestling heritage, providing readers with an engaging cultural journey alongside the book’s key messages. Children gain an appreciation not only for wrestling as a sport but for its cultural significance.

Ultimately, Is There a Wrestler in You? serves as more than an ordinary children’s book—it is a vibrant tool for nurturing essential qualities such as resilience, courage, and teamwork in young readers. For parents seeking an active alternative to screen time that simultaneously teaches crucial life skills, Ross McFarlane’s book proves an ideal choice.

Parents can find their own copy available on Etsy. Who knows? Your child might just discover not only a wrestler within themselves but also newfound confidence and resilience for life’s broader challenges.

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!