Lorne Peterson is a retired Marine/AirNational Guard veteran with 33 years of service, including five tours in the Middle East. While serving in the National Guard, he also dedicated 18 years to law enforcement, including five years as a K-9 officer. He is a member of the Wilmington Police Department’s Advanced Crisis Intervention Unit, the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and the Veteran Response Team.
Lorne’s advocacy for mental health is deeply personal. He is a suicide survivor following the loss of his son, Sayer Rhys Evans, a Wilmington Police officer who died by suicide on November 19, 2022. In his honor, Lorne created the Sayer Rhys Evans Resiliency Award, now in its third year, recognizing individuals who demonstrate exceptional strength and perseverance.
He has served on the board of the Delaware Wrestling Alliance for 15 years and is in his third year as Tournament Director for the prestigiousBeast of the East Wrestling Tournament, one of the nation’s top high school wrestling events.
As a familial domestic violence survivor, Lorne brings lived experience, compassion, and a deep commitment to supporting others through trauma, healing, and resilience. His journey includes surviving the tragic loss of his father, who was shot and killed by his mother—an experience that shaped his understanding of crisis, grief, and the urgent need for mental health support.
Wrestling teaches toughness — but it also demands compassion, awareness, and balance. This webinar is a chance for coaches, athletes, and parents to talk openly about the challenges that often go unseen in our sport.
Join MatBoss and Lorne Peterson for an honest, impactful discussion about mental health and resilience — and walk away with practical tools to strengthen yourself, your athletes, and your program both on and off the mat.
In this powerful MatBoss webinar, guest Lorne Peterson shares his deeply personal story of loss, healing, and advocacy — and why addressing mental health in wrestling is one of the sport’s strongest fights yet.
A veteran of both the military and law enforcement, Lorne brings decades of leadership, compassion, and perspective to an urgent conversation about breaking the stigma around mental health in wrestling. He and the MatBoss team discuss how coaches can recognize warning signs, support athletes in crisis, and build a team culture centered on care, trust, and resilience.
Recognize the Signs — Learn how to spot red flags like withdrawal, sleep deprivation, and behavior changes before they escalate.
Integrate Wellness — Discover how to make mental health part of your team culture, just like conditioning or technique.
Talk About It — Understand why open, honest conversations save lives — and how to approach them with your athletes.
Lead with Empathy — Coaching goes beyond wins and losses. Learn how to help athletes become stronger humans as well as stronger wrestlers.
💡 Watch the Replay — Hear firsthand stories, tools, and inspiration to help you support your athletes and strengthen your team from the inside out.
