Fear, Philosophy, and Wrestling: A Conversation with Dr. Mark R. McLaughlin (Neurosurgeon & Trenton Youth Wrestling Co-Founder)

In this episode of CommUnity Corner, Coach Nicolas Cabrera sits down with Dr. Mark R. McLaughlin—neurosurgeon, author of Cognitive Dominance, and co-founder of Trenton Youth Wrestling—to explore how wrestling becomes a laboratory for courage, how philosophy sharpens performance under pressure, and why service to others is the highest form of mastery.

Dr. McLaughlin shares lessons from the operating room and the wrestling room: dismantling fear, thinking clearly in chaos, and building strong kids through mentorship, structure, and love.

Recorded at UFC Gym North Brunswick (1846 US-1, North Brunswick, NJ).

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Topics & Timestamps

00:00 Intro & purpose of the show

02:52 The path to neurosurgery (from college wrestling to medicine)

05:51 Philosophy + medicine: learning how to think

08:56 Cognitive Dominance: decision-making under pressure

11:49 Fear vs. performance (and how to dismantle it)

17:58 Lessons from the OR you can use on the mat

20:55 What remains after fear? Love, clarity, service

28:24 Wrestling as a “fear laboratory” for youth

35:08 Coaching as a two-way street

39:32 Building Trenton Youth Wrestling & community impact

43:53 Service mindset and veteran advocacy

47:57 Redefining “success” in wrestling

50:46 Call to action: support Trenton Youth Wrestling

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Guest

Dr. Mark R. McLaughlin, MD — Neurosurgeon, author of Cognitive Dominance, and co-founder of Trenton Youth Wrestling.

Learn/Support

• Trenton Youth Wrestling – search online for the official site and ways to volunteer or donate

• Book: Cognitive Dominance by Mark R. McLaughlin

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About CommUnity Corner

Hosted by Nicolas Cabrera (Diesel Athletics Academy). We highlight leaders who build stronger communities through athletics, education, and service.

Subscribe & Connect

If this conversation helped you, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share with a coach, parent, or athlete who needs it.

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Key Quotes

• “The wrestling mat is a fear laboratory.”

• “When you dismantle fear, what shows up isn’t just courage—it’s love.”

• “Success is leaving the mat a more positive force in the world.”

The CommUnity Corner | Episode 4 | Big Mike Bertram

In this episode, we welcome Big Mike Bertram — a spoken word poet, educator, and community builder with more than 30 years of experience in the classroom.

From legendary poetry slams and Def Jam performances to organizing free open mics in New Jersey, Big Mike has dedicated his life to making poetry accessible for everyone. He reflects on his journey as a late-blooming poet, the evolution of spoken word, and how performance poetry creates a platform for self-expression.

We also dive into:

How poetry builds literacy, confidence, and community in the classroom

The tension between poetry as an art form and the competition of slam culture

Big Mike’s philosophy of teaching — “relate, then educate”

The impact of technology and AI on education today

His newest book Said the Pen to the Paper, co-written with one of his 8-year-old students

This is a powerful conversation about mentorship, creativity, and the future of education and poetry.

📖 Learn more about Big Mike’s work: www.mrbpoetry.com

📺 Watch now and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to The CommUnity Corner.

CommUnity Corner | Episode 3: Brendan Buckley

In this episode, I sit down with Brendan Buckley, former Executive Director of Beat the Streets NYC and longtime Division I wrestler and coach. Brendan reflects on his journey — from wrestling and coaching at the highest levels, including leading programs at Cal Poly and Columbia University, to nearly a decade of building Beat the Streets into a powerhouse for youth development.

During his tenure, Beat the Streets achieved its highest fundraising milestones — $1.3 million in both 2019 and 2023 — while impacting thousands of student-athletes across New York City. Brendan shares candid thoughts on leadership, sacrifice, and his personal philosophy of leaving the world better than we found it.

Now stepping into a new chapter, Brendan discusses his role as the next Executive Director of Trenton Youth Wrestling and his work consulting nonprofits to grow their impact.

This conversation is about more than wrestling — it’s about community, legacy, and the power of sport to change lives.

In this episode of The CommUnity Corner Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Wilbur Pan — an oncologist, researcher, East Brunswick Board of Education member, musician, and woodworker. Dr. Pan shares how his professional work as Oncology Clinical Director at Merck intersects with his passion for education and community service here in East Brunswick.

We talk about his vision for the future of our schools, including challenges with facilities, the importance of arts education, and what he’s learned since joining the Board of Education. Beyond his service, Dr. Pan opens up about his life as a musician who supports the high school theater department, and as a nationally recognized woodworking hobbyist who presents at events like Woodworking in America.

This conversation highlights the many dimensions of a neighbor who gives back in countless ways — from the lab, to the classroom, to the stage, and even the workshop. Tune in to hear Dr. Pan’s story, his vision for our township, and why he continues to invest so deeply in the East Brunswick community.

🎙️ CommUnity Corner | Episode 1

For our very first episode, I’m honored to sit down with Dr. Christopher J. Manente, PhD, BCBA — U.S. Army Combat Veteran, Founding Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS), and Associate Professor of Clinical Practice at the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).

Dr. Manente has dedicated his life to advancing opportunities for older learners with autism, working to expand community-based educational, vocational, and residential services. He has authored peer-reviewed articles, co-authored book chapters, and presented at national conferences on creating authentic inclusion for autistic adults.

From his time in the Army to his decades in education and advocacy, Dr. Manente embodies service and leadership. In this conversation, we’ll discuss his journey, the groundbreaking neuro-inclusive housing projects happening here in New Jersey, and why building communities where everyone belongs is critical for our future.

Tune in to hear how vision, persistence, and compassion are transforming lives.

#CommUnityCorner #AutismAcceptance #Leadership #Rutgers #VeteranVoices #BuildingCommunity