Aaron Anspach learned the value of a nickel at a young age.
So when the stockpile of empty soda cans and water bottles in his Michigan home reached its peak, Anspach took it as a chance to teach his 6-year-old daughter the same lesson. For every empty can collected, she got two nickels all to herself – the perfect token for a hard day's work.
"My daughter has made over five hundred dollars this summer – and that may speak to how much soda I drink," Anspach laughed. "I'm trying to instill in her the power of hard work and earnings."
Long before his claim to fame as a Penn State wrestler, a young Anspach once mowed 15 yards a week to acquire his own savings. He attributes his work ethic and passion for wrestling to his father, who urged him to start working as young as 12 years old.
Little did he know that he'd soon become a seasoned Penn State wrestler holding All-American status as a runner-up at heavyweight in 2007. Despite a career plagued with injuries that forced him to miss nearly two seasons, Anspach's senior year went down as one of the most successful heavyweight campaigns in Penn State history.
"I just told myself that I am going to earn what I deserve to earn. I envisioned myself winning a national title and it really became the only thing that mattered to me," the former heavyweight said. "I wanted that in a way that despite injuries and all the adversity I went through – I wasn't willing to be stopped."
Soon after graduation, the Penn State alumnus joined head coach Cael Sanderson's elite crew of Nittany Lion coaches. Anspach, who served as an assistant coach, director of operations and club coach with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, became a well-known face for Penn State's thriving program. But with a degree in Crime, Law and Justice, he knew there was more success beyond Rec Hall.
"I knew that coaching and being a part of Cael's program was one of the best experiences of my life and an amazing opportunity," Anspach said, "but I also knew it wasn't my lifelong dream to coach the rest of my life."
So Anspach and his wife Jessica, a former Penn State volleyball player, packed up their life in State College and moved to the Midwest to pursue a completely different career path. Anspach landed a job with First Trust Portfolios through his wide array of networking connections.
Even miles away, Anspach's Penn State legacy persists, as he discovered the recruiting manager was interested in hiring athletes – specifically, wrestlers.
"I think for wrestlers and college athletes in general there's a huge level of commitment there. I just think a lot of employers like wrestlers not just because they're dedicated to their sport, but also a dedication to all that goes into it like nutrition, weight-cutting, and diet commitment," Anspach said. "They're willing to run through a wall to reach their goals."
But the transition from wrestling to the business world wasn't always so smooth.
"When I was coaching at Penn State, wrestling was the biggest thing on campus thanks to Cael and his staff. We were all viewed as elite and put on a pedestal," the former Nittany Lion said. "But when I came to the business world, I realized that I'm just a number until I have the chance to prove myself."
Not to mention, he was new to the finance industry. Upon hiring, he had to take a four-month non-pay role in order to complete the exams needed for his qualifications.
"The things that motivate me today aren't about the money. It's about being the absolute best at my role," Anspach said. "I'm not No. 1 in sales for my firm, but I'm pretty high up there. I attribute that to those lessons I learned from wrestling."
Despite the adversity he faced during the transition, Anspach says his experience at Penn State helped shape him into the businessman and father he is today.
"I owe everything to Penn State and I'm so grateful for the relationships I've made," Anspach said. "I appreciate everything I've been given, and I hope to give back to other Penn Staters in the future."
So while he has finally achieved many of his athletic, academic and career goals, Anspach still doesn't think he'll ever take for granted the value of a nickel.
