John Hanrahan – From Wrestling Mats to Global Fashion. From Near Death to Celebrity Trainer—and World Champion.

John Hanrahan was born in Washington, D.C., raised in a large family with a U.S. Naval Commander father and a mom who suggested he try wrestling when he told her in second grade that he was going to try boxing. It was good advice, as wrestling forged him at an early age in the fire of competition. A multiple-time Virginia state wrestling champion, he represented Team USA as a teenage freestyle wrestler in Poland and East Germany—where the Cold War tension was real, and every bout felt like a battlefield.

He went on to earn two-time NCAA All-American honors at Penn State, finishing his collegiate career with 113 Division I wins, two Eastern Wrestling League titles, and four NCAA Championship appearances. In 1987, he was inducted into the Eastern Wrestling League Hall of Fame, honoring a legacy of toughness and consistency built through relentless grind.

But even as he chased national titles and Olympic dreams, life had something unexpected in store.

During a brutal Penn State practice, John took a deep finger gouge directly to his eye socket—blood pouring, vision clouded, and a growing fear that the damage might be permanent. The eye was patched at the ER, and for two days, he sat with uncertainty—not knowing if he’d be cleared to compete again, let alone see clearly.

Then came the green light. Cleared just hours before the event, he stepped onto the mat with the patch freshly removed and his eye still throbbing. Under the lights of a nationally televised match, he dominated his opponent—his intensity undimmed, his presence undeniable.

Somewhere in Manhattan, a fashion agent watching the broadcast saw more than just a gritty athlete—he saw raw magnetism. Days later, John was driving from campus to New York City for a shoot with L’Uomo Vogue. Long before today’s common NIL cash-ins for athletes, he was walking the runway at the Waldorf, appearing in GQ, Esquire, and Menswear magazine, and working with top photographers like Francesco Scavullo, Rico Puhlmann, and Bruce Weber. In 1985, he became the face of the iconic Versace campaign—solidifying his place on the global fashion stage.

Not bad for a guy with a broken nose and seven facial gashes held together by stitches—battle scars from going toe-to-toe with some of the world’s toughest opponents.

He straddled two worlds—still training and competing for the New York Athletic Club while building a powerful book of work across fashion’s elite markets: Milan, Paris, Zurich, and Tokyo. On the Olympic style wrestling circuit, he became a two-time NYAC International Champion, earned a Canada Cup Bronze Medal, and represented the U.S. in a historic meet against the USSR in 1983. But when Olympic champion Dave Schultz claimed the Olympic team spot, John went all-in on fashion—bringing the discipline of the mat to the high-pressure sets of the industry’s top campaigns.

Behind the spotlight, though, John faced a life-altering collapse—an experience that nearly ended everything. The harrowing and ultimately enlightening journey that followed is told in his deeply personal memoir, Wrestling with Angels—a story of pain, surrender, and the long road back to grace.

Along the way, on a Vogue Italia shoot, John met his future wife, Kirsten, a stunning model with an equally grounded spirit. They married in Sag Harbor, in a ceremony photographed by Bruce Weber, and have now been married 35 years. Together, they raised two sons, Colin and Luke.

In time, John returned to his athletic roots, finishing as East Region runner-up at the 1996 Olympic Trials. A new chapter followed in the fitness world. As one of Los Angeles’ most acclaimed trainers, he was featured in GQ, Men’s Journal, Glamour, Self, and InStyle, working with Hollywood elites, studio heads, and creatives who valued his intensity, loyalty, and authenticity.

In 2016, John stepped back onto the mat—and captured the UWW Veteran World Championship in Walbrzych, Poland, defeating a ten-time world champion in the finals. A victory that was far more personal than public.

Today, John Hanrahan owns and operates Private Training Lab in Alpharetta, Georgia—a high-performance center blending elite fitness, recovery technologies, and personal transformation.

From Cold War duals to Versace billboards.

From near death to a world title.

From the accolades of the crowd to the quiet work of strengthening and healing.

About the author

John Hanrahan is a nationally acclaimed strength & conditioning coach/ celebrity trainer and a UWW World Champion veteran wrestler. Discovered while competing as an NCAA All American wrestler, Hanrahan has transcended the world of sports to become a prominent figure in health, wellness, and the fashion industry. His remarkable journey from athlete to author and entrepreneur showcases his versatility and dedication to helping others achieve their best selves.

Born with a natural talent for wrestling, John Hanrahan's athletic prowess earned him the status of NCAA All American wrestler. His competitive spirit and dedication to the sport led him to international success as a UWW Veteran World Champion. Beyond the wrestling mat, Hanrahan's charisma and athletic physique caught the attention of the fashion world, leading to appearances on the covers of fashion magazines and in worldwide ads and designer campaigns.

John Hanrahan is the founder and owner of PrivateTraining lab, a premier platform that offers personalized health and wellness solutions to corporations, athletes, and individuals. His expertise and innovative approach to fitness have made him a sought-after trainer and consultant, influencing countless lives through tailored wellness programs.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hanrahan is deeply committed to philanthropy. He founded Recovery Angel an organization dedicated to assisting addicts and their families on the path to recovery. Through this initiative, Hanrahan provides essential support and resources, fostering hope and healing within communities affected by addiction.

John Hanrahan is known for his award-winning book, "Wrestling with Angels." This inspiring work delves into his personal and professional struggles, offering readers a candid look at the challenges he has faced and the triumphs he has achieved. His writing resonates with a wide audience, blending motivational insights with practical advice.

Publications

Wrestling with Angels - An award-winning memoir that chronicles Hanrahan's journey from a champion wrestler to a wellness expert, highlighting the lessons learned and the angels encountered along the way.

Media Appearances and Accolades

John Hanrahan's expertise and inspirational story have made him a frequent guest on television and radio programs, as well as a speaker at conferences and seminars. His contributions to health and wellness have been recognized through many national publications cementing his status as a leader in the industry.

John Hanrahan continues to inspire and empower others through his multifaceted career as a trainer, author, and life coach. His dedication to promoting health, wellness, and recovery underscores his commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

John Hanrahan Feature in Rolling Stone photo by Brruce Weber

more story Info

John Hanrahan is a United World Wrestling (UWW) Veteran World Champion. He defeated 10x Champion, Willem Putter (RSA) to win the 2016 World Gold medal at 85KG in Walbrych, Poland.

He competed at Penn State University where he was a 2-time NCAA All American, 2-time Conference Champion and 4-time place-winner. Other international medals include Canada Cup bronze and NYAC International 2-time gold. In high school Hanrahan was the USWF Jr. National Championship runner-up, AAU National Championship runner-up and 2-time Virginia State Champion and 3-time place-winner. John finished his Penn State career as the first in the school’s history to surpass the 100 Win mark (racking up 113 NCAA D1 Wins) and has since been inducted into the Eastern Wrestling League Hall of Fame.

Notable Reviews

Media Interviews

Notable
Reviews
of my story

Notable Reviews

Laura Morton, 20x NY Times Best Selling Author

"The book Wrestling with Angels tugs at your heart strings, touching on difficult issues so many families are dealing with every day. The author, John Hanrahan expresses his experiences beautifully, allowing himself to be raw, real and full of grace."

Emily Giffin, Highly Acclaimed Novelist, 7x NY Times Best Selling Author

"Riveting! This book Wrestling with Angels is so good. Powerful memoir. Great Father's Day present."

Brian Kilmeade, FNC Fox & Friends Host, Best Selling Author
"If you want a great book for you or your special someone that will motivate and educate, pick up John Hanrahan's masterpiece - Wrestling with Angels.

Mike Chapman, WIN Magazine, Founder & Sr Editor
"The book Wrestling with Angels grabbed me by the throat and hung on, pulling me in deeper and deeper, page after page, I couldn't put it down. An All American wrestler at Penn State, John Hanrahan won a lot and felt on top of the world. When his college career ended, his good looks took him to a world he could have never imagined, he became one of the most popular male models in the world. And then he died... I can't even try to explain any of it here. Read it for yourself. He returned to life and became a Trainer to some of the best-known celebrities in the world -- from John F. Kennedy, Jr., to Julia Roberts."

Steven L. Jaffe MD, Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine
"I was inspired by his vivid description of his own death, which was then followed by his receiving the gift of returning to life. Wrestling with Angels is a highly entertaining read and in this time of an opioid epidemic it is extremely relevant."

Lee Kemp, Olympian & 3x World Champion Wrestler
"John Hanrahan's book Wrestling with Angels is a candid look inside the life of one of wrestling's true Renaissance men. It's not easy to open up and honestly reveal to the world some of your most challenging and difficult life's experiences, but John does so beautifully with grace and dignity."

Jonathan Clarke, M.Ed., LCAS, Love Wins Counseling
"The most powerful message of recovery from one person to another, is often described as the sharing of one's own personal story of experience, strength and hope. John Hanrahan in Wrestling with Angels delivers that and more. His transparency and vulnerability are astounding, yet necessary to bring about the healing phenomenon in others. This book will be a mainstay in my efforts to help others."

Bruce Weber, Iconic American Fashion Photographer & Filmmaker

Congratulations to John Hanrahan for a great book about sports and for sharing your personal struggles with addiction and your path to loving yourself again. I knew you when you were a young wrestler at Penn State and the New York Athletic Club. Around that time you came along with me to Las Vegas for a photoshoot where you met your beautiful wife, Kirsten. In Vegas, the night that you both met, I had you doing pictures with a Marilyn Monroe look-a-like and Kirsten with an Elvis Presley look-a-like. After taking some crazy pictures in the nightclub at Caesar's Palace you two never stopped loving each other and today are the proud parents of two great young men. I'm so proud of you for writing Wrestling with Angels, a very thoughtful and entertaining book--you've always been a champ to us.

Mark Schultz, Olympic & World Champion, Best Selling Author of Foxcatcher

"John opens up completely to share the raw and sometimes uncomfortable truth. It's not pretty which is ironic since John was a male model who lived a jet-set lifestyle until it was almost completely destroyed. There are many lessons to glean on how to win in life. Relating to the pain, sacrifice and suffering of world class wrestling can be difficult for many to grasp. I recommend this book to everyone, it could change your life".

Samantha Dunn, Editor of Coast Magazine, Best Selling Author

"Wow, great job of weaving together the world of the story with its celebrity interactions and elite athletics. A very human story not only of his own journey but that of his family. The story Wrestling with Angels is extremely powerful and relevant and moving."

Bob Buckhorn, Mayor of Tampa, FL
"Wrestling with Angels is a book that you will want to read. It is the unvarnished story of redemption, struggle, pain, triumph and perseverance. Most of all, it is a story about the strength of one person who in his darkest moments found the courage to persevere and rebuild his life, his relationships and his future."

Dr Charles Prebish, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Penn State University

"John Hanrahan's Wrestling With Angels is a magnificent read... His unabashed prose strikes right to one's heart and inspires great compassion. I simply cannot remember the last time I cried as I read the concluding chapter of a book. This is one utterly tremendous story!"

Dr Jose Betancourt , 3x Olympian Puerto Rico, UWW World Wrestling Champion
"John Hanrahan's book Wrestling with Angels, is an extraordinary story. It is well written and captivating, you do not want to stop reading. The story has a powerful message for any audience or age. It makes you think and reflect about connecting to your higher power. I highly recommend it."

Dr Michael Silverman, PHD

Are you listening Hollywood, this should be made into a movie.
John Hanrahan's "Wrestling with Angles" is a heartfelt story of personal struggle. It is a quick and enjoyable read.

I generally avoid celebrity memoirs. As a neuroscientist and psychologist in NYC who has worked with household named professional athletes, models, and actors, I am intimately familiar with their turmoils, their fears of mediocrity, and the facades they continuously work to build. I have enough experience to know when someone's expressed plights are authentic and when they are not. More so, I am not in the least part interested in someone manipulatively seeking pity. This is what makes Hanrahan's autobiography so refreshing. It is raw, honest, and deeply personal. It kept my attention throughout - which is not an easy task. Everyone has a story, but few people are willing to share them in the way Hanrahan does. The story made me laugh out loud and brought me to the edge of tears on a few occasions. Hanrahan comes across as someone so easy to connect to, yet ironically we learn of a guy who is desperate for connection while doing everything he could to self-sabotage them. Why?

Professional athletes are masters of control, and the sport of wrestling adds a physical dimension of power/domination. Hanrahan was objectively one of the best. Ironically, the one place where he could feel in complete control, he also ultimately sabotages - spectacularly. It is possibly even more ironic and arguably the foundation of the overall story - that he looked amazing while doing it - gracing the covers of magazines, leading international fashion campaigns, and partying with New York's upper elite. Maintaining such a facade was an effort that could be described as nothing short of heroic.

And then he died. Literally.