Overcoming injury and addiction: Brandon Bollinger's grapple with life and wrestling

To say that Brandon Bollinger has a second chance at life almost doesn’t seem right.

He’s currently a sophomore in college and is a two-time All-American wrestler.

But if you were to tell Bollinger a year ago that he would be a state championship wrestler, on the verge of attending Ottawa University, in Kansas, on a full-ride scholarship, he’d think you're crazy.

Exactly a year ago, Bollinger’s life was on a downward spiral, to the point he was hospitalized on Dec. 8, 2022.

“So, I didn’t sleep for four days straight, and I remember being on Instagram and Snapchat and thinking I was famous because I blew up as a rapper,” Bollinger said. “I don’t even know how to rap.”

Bollinger was in Idaho, some 1,300 miles away from home, recovering from surgery following an ACL injury. He graduated from Sultana in 2020 and continued wrestling at North Idaho College.

As a freshman, Bollinger became an All-American wrestler after placing sixth at the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships in the 157-pound division.

His torn ACL required surgery the following season.

Bollinger spiraled as he battled addiction, which included Kratom — a legal herbal supplement used to treat pain, anxiety and opiate withdrawals. Bollinger’s addiction included more than Kratom, as he recalls even drinking NyQuil for no apparent reason.

“I just felt hopeless without wrestling. I felt like I was nothing without wrestling,” Bollinger said. “I hit rock bottom and ended up going crazy.”

Without hesitation, his father, Frankie Bollinger, made the trip to Idaho to pick up Brandon from the hospital within three days from being admitted on Dec. 8, 2022.

"If not, I was pretty much going to be admitted to the asylum," Brandon Bollinger said.

Frankie Bollinger was a former King of the Cage champion before being diagnosed with cancer and putting his MMA career on hold in 2005.

He returned to action at the age of 49 and defeated his opponent via rear-naked choke at 1:15 in the first round for the Gladiator Challenge’s 170-pound belt. Brandon Bollinger’s older brother Cody also won the 160-pound title that same night.

Frankie Bollinger died in May, five months after picking up his son. He was 56.

“He was always there for me,” Brandon Bollinger said. “I knew my dad was passing away with cancer, so I just hung out with my dad every day after that. I started going to therapy and got back with God. Those were the biggest steps. And once my dad passed away, I just knew I had to make him proud.”

It’s been a tough journey for Brandon Bollinger since then, but he credits his family, coaches and most importantly, the children in the wrestling class he teaches at Cobra Kai Martial Arts, in Victorville.

“The Way. That’s the name of the wrestling club,” Brandon Bollinger said. “It represents whatever you believe in. There's a way whenever you’re in line.”

Sitting in the back of the class is a sign that reads “addicted to the mat” — addiction is something that Brandon Bollinger refuses to shy away from.

“Coaching the kids is what has helped keep me going,” Brandon Bollinger said. “It’s a struggle. I had to admit that I had a real addiction. I had to realize that I was addicted to anything. It was that bad. So, I want to be that positive role model for these kids.

“There's so much stuff online that can distract you. It can happen to anyone. That's what happened to me. Kratom is starting to be a big thing. It’s something that kids can easily grab because it’s something that is legal. It's basically like an opioid.”

But his time as a wrestling coach at Cobra Kai has come to an end as Brandon Bollinger moved to Kansas on Dec. 29 for his next wrestling adventure.

After leaving Idaho and thinking he would never wrestle again, a phone call to Rocky Humphrey — his high school wrestling coach at Sultana — changed the course of his life. Humphrey wasn’t coaching at Sultana anymore, but instead at Victor Valley College.

A fresh start

Humphrey was happy to have him back.

And so came a memorable sophomore season with a story-book ending at Victor Valley College.

Brandon Bollinger helped the Rams to a Southern California Wrestling Association Southeastern Conference title.

Then came his memorable run at the regional and state level.

At the CCCAA SoCal Regional Championship tournament, held at Palomar College, Brandon Bollinger made a run to the 149-pound title match after picking up two pinfalls and a technical fall in the semifinals.

Brandon Bollinger found himself in the title match against a familiar foe in a former teammate.

Mario De La Torre, of Cerritos College, and Brandon Bollinger were teammates as freshmen at North Idaho College. Brandon Bollinger wrestled at 157 pounds that season, while De La Torre at 149 pounds.

Earlier this season the former teammates met at the Santa Ana Invitational and De La Torre pulled off a pinfall victory in the first period.

In the 149-title match at the regionals, De La Torre again pulled off a 10-7 decision victory.

“I was just closing the gap and I just knew that I could beat him if we faced each other again,” Brandon Bollinger said.

Brandon Bollinger began the state championship tournament the following week at Cuesta College by pinning Sierra College's Joseph Insalaco at the 6:02 mark and followed that up with a 9-3 decision over Ammar Khan, of Sacramento City College, to reach the semifinals, where he pinned Anthony Nunes, of Modesto College, at the 2:32 mark.

That victory set up a rematch with De La Torre for the state championship.

The road back to victory

“I just knew I needed a great first period and to start off right,” Brandon Bollinger said. “I knew I would win if I just wrestled my match, and not wrestle his match. I had to change my mentality and not get excited. I prepared myself to not get too excited when I am winning the match.”

Sure enough, Brandon Bollinger got off to a quick start against his former teammate and pulled off a 10-3 decision victory for the crown.

But he wasn’t alone on the mat — he felt the presence of his father with him. His arm was raised in victory and all he could think of was Frankie Bollinger.

The state championship victory on Dec. 9 was one year after Frankie Bollinger picked up his son from the hospital in Idaho.

“It was overwhelming,” Brandon Bollinger said. “It’s a blessing. I worked all my life for this kind of thing.”

It was a special moment he shared with Humphrey and VVC assistant coach Adam Valdez as he thought of his father and anyone that helped him along the way of his special journey.

“That moment was everything about Brandon,” Humphrey said. “I was just so happy for him because he set a goal, and went out and achieved it. And it wasn’t just for him, though, but the entire Bollinger family.”

Humphrey has been a family friend since 2005 as he’s coached Cody, Sarah, Dylan and Brandon Bollinger at Sultana.

“So just knowing the family and knowing how much those parents loved their children made the moment special,” Humphrey said. “Then with the circumstances of Frankie passing away. Brandon coming back home to be with him for the last little bit was inspiring. All the credit goes to Brandon because he did the work. He proved that anything is possible.

“No matter what adversity you go through in your life, you can change things around. Brandon is a fighter. That’s the biggest thing about him. He doesn't give up, doesn't quit. He understands if he just keeps moving forward and doing the right things, good things can happen.”

Like Humphrey, Joe “Daddy” Stevenson has known the Bollinger family for a long time. So much so that Stevenson’s first-born son is named Frankie, after Bollinger’s father.

Brandon Bollinger said that Stevenson has also been someone who’s been there every step of the way on his road back.

“That's how long I've known the family and how much I love them," Stevenson said.

Stevenson, a two-time King of the Cage champion, Ring of Fire champion, Rage in the Cage champion and a UFC title contender, remembers growing up in the High Desert idolizing Dan Henderson, who is also from Victorville.

Stevenson has inspired many in the High Desert in his own right. At the age of 41, he has that same admiration for Brandon Bollinger that he had for Henderson growing up, despite being half his age.

“Brandon really is my hero,” Stevenson said. “Not just mine, but for all the kids he came across coaching. I know they give him that strength, and he gives them something to aspire for. And I mean, how many six- and seven-year-olds do you know that are in the wrestling room at 6 a.m.?

"... because he's pushing them and he's showing he's not only pushing them, he's leading them.”

Stevenson further commended Brandon Bollinger.

“It's so awesome to watch him work through so much adversity this year and be able to persevere and understand that. We are watching God’s hand at work and it’s so beautiful.”

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Overcoming injury and addiction: Brandon Bollinger's grapple with life