Olympic wrestling: Rocky journey lands Coleman Scott in Olympics

And after 365 days of exhausting work, the dream they continually strive for is often yanked away in a few brief moments, whether it be an extended six-minute match or an immediate pin.

For the past three years, that's how it has been for former Oklahoma State wrestler Coleman Scott.

After a successful college career, Scott set his sights on a spot with the U.S. national team. And to achieve that dream, he spent the majority of his 20s in the training room.

For the most part, it translated to the mat. But each of the previous three years, his dream was cut short near the pinnacle, losing when he had a shot to make the team.

“I've had a lot of struggles,” Scott said. “The first couple of years out of college, I couldn't buy a win, it seemed like. I was just losing to guys that I didn't think I should have.”

But those rough times have hardened Scott, providing constant motivation during the never-ending workout sessions.

“I think I had to go through that to get where I am now,” Scott said. “It was tough being third the last three years, knowing you just came up a little bit short. It's another year that you can just go to the World Championships and watch. I actually didn't go last year because I was tired of going to the first two. I just said: ‘I'm tired of going. I'm tired of being a training partner. I'm going to go make the team.'”

And for Scott, the fourth year was the most important. London 2012 gave him a shot at the Olympics.