Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Ivy Nile On Her New Look, El Grande Americano, Chad Gable, American Made, Insane Workouts

Starting point is 00:00:00 Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Fleet! Greetings and salutations, my friends. Welcome back to another audio adventure here on Insight. It's me, the three numbers in the back of your credit card, CVV, Chris Van Fleet. Thank you for hit and play on this one, and thank you for making Insight the number one wrestling podcast on the planet. slap a dragon sleeper on that follow button, wherever you're listening right now. And could I ask for one small favor?

Starting point is 00:00:47 If you're listening on Apple, could you leave a review on there? Like, it doesn't need to be anything fancy. Could just be a few words or a few emojis, but that would help so much. And if you're on Spotify, could you leave a rating for the show on there? Go to the show's main page,

Starting point is 00:01:02 hit the three little dots, dot, dot, dot, dot. And then you'll see the option to rate show. And then once you click that, the stars will pop up. So I can't thank you enough for the many people who have done that. It's just really helps the show continue to grow. The powerhouse that is Ivy Nile is on the show today. And this is her first full-length podcast interview like this.

Starting point is 00:01:25 And what a great story she has of betting on yourself and dreaming big. It's so great to learn about who the person is behind the character. She's obviously jacked. She's obviously the pit bull. We all know that. But her discipline is next level. Like she told me she doesn't believe in cheat meals. I was like, what?

Starting point is 00:01:45 Like, I like to eat clean, but I don't know what I do without pizza. I had some last night, in fact. But I'm so excited to see what's next for her. She just, you could just see how determined she is when she's in the ring. I love it. Take a screen shot and let us know that you're listening to this episode and tag us. She's at Ivy Nile underscore WWE on Twitter and on Instagram. I'm at Chris Van Vleet.

Starting point is 00:02:15 All right, please enjoy this conversation with Ivy Nile. And my hair debut went viral, by the way. Clearly. The new hair looks great. Thank you. Yeah. Are the sides still real short? Yep.

Starting point is 00:02:32 Is that going to continue? I've had that shaved sides for like 10 years. So what was the idea behind branding? hair for Ivy Nile. You know, I, you always want to, like, debut a new look at a big show or something, but honestly, I don't know what came over me. I've had my hair braided for five years straight. Ever since I debuted in wrestling, it's been just braids. NXT had braids. Ever since I debuted on raw, I've had braids. And, you know, I just, I don't know. It's just like, I just thought of it one day, and I, and I did it. No one told me to do braids, by the way. Like, everyone

Starting point is 00:03:09 thinks everyone's making me do something. Like the braids are my idea and this was my idea. Here's the thing, though, when you had the braids, it made you look like a badass, right? So it's like, yeah, of course that girl could kick my ass. With this, it's like a bit of a softer look, I guess. So it's almost like surprising, like when you have a jacket on or a shirt on, you take off your jacket. It's like, oh. Another element of surprise. Do any of your clothes have sleeves? Because if I had shoulders like that, I wouldn't have sleeves. So when I was in NXT, I was just trying like different gear. And there was one time I wore just like a long sleeve something. Matt Bloom came up to me and said, you did great. But if you ever wear sleeves

Starting point is 00:03:55 again, like, don't ever do that again. I was like, are you serious? I was like, I have to like, so I came here like not even gear. He's like, no. He's like, you always have to show them. So like, I've always took that to heart, I guess. That was like five years ago. But is that just you as a character? Like what about like if I ran into you at the airport? Yeah. Sleeves? Oh yeah. Okay. Oh yeah. No, I cover up. Full on pump cover. I have a pump cover on all the time. Just because like I don't want to like, it opens up. It's like a conversation starter. It's weird because like this like, oh, do you do this? And I'm just like, I don't want to get into it right now. Like I do a lot of things. What do they think you do? So, of course, Of course, say you think, you know, I'm a fighter or something because of the braids and, you know, all that.

Starting point is 00:04:40 So they immediately think UFC are fighting. And then I'm like, no, not really. And then they go to like bodybuilder and all this stuff, which I've never done bodybuilding anything of any sort. It's just always been CrossFit for the most part and just learning how to, you know, become a unit. I think you've been very successful. Thank you. In that journey. You are a unit.

Starting point is 00:05:03 Yeah. You are very wide. I think. And short. The weird combo, yeah. You think you're that short? Yeah, I do. I do.

Starting point is 00:05:13 Five two. Yeah. Well, I guess that's taller than somebody that's five one. Yeah. No, it's true. No, it's true. I take great pride in my physique, to be honest, because I think, you know, going back into like when I first started working out, I was 15, 16.

Starting point is 00:05:31 What drove you at that time to want to start working out? Um, so it started when I was homeschooled my whole life. So from, you know, like my whole life, never went to school at all. And, you know, I wanted to, you know, I did martial arts my whole life, like when I was, I think when I started when I was six or seven. So I started taekwondo when I was super young. And then when I got into my teenage years, you know, I was just, you know, I'm sure I was getting my head knocked off. I was like, how can I get. better at this sport. And, you know, I just learned how to be faster, learn how to be stronger. So I was like, I need to get myself in the gym and learn how to, like, put some muscle on me because at the time I was

Starting point is 00:06:14 tiny. Like, I had muscle, but like, I was, I was tiny. I didn't, I didn't know anything. So, um, I just got myself in the gym. I learned from everywhere from a meathead to a, to a, to, uh, you know, it's a girl that learned how to eat healthy. Like, I learned from all walks of life. And then I, you kind of figured out what was best for me. What do your workouts look like now? Strictly, I mean, it's pretty strictly CrossFit. I follow a program that's Comtrain, and it's functional training, but it's not like, when you imagine CrossFit, you probably imagine some crazy stuff, but it's extremely functional.

Starting point is 00:06:55 It's extremely like, of course, like there's some weeks that are worse than others with wrestling. like if I'm super, you know, beat up or something, like I kind of always scale it back. But, you know, we have a pretty cool set up at home. I have a sauna. I have an ice bath. We have all kinds of recover stuff at home to keep me going. You posted a video recently of you working out with sunglasses on. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:07:19 There's nothing cooler than you doing cleans with sunglasses on and like they're not even moving. You look like the Terminator. Oh, that's cool. That's cool. Yeah. No, I live in Florida. us. So we work out outside. I have a garage gym. We're currently building a gym right now. And so we are, you know, we're outside. We train in the heat. Serious stuff. I watched your interview with

Starting point is 00:07:44 Seamus. And I think what stood out for me the most was you were barely out of breath. And Seamus was dying by the end of this. You know, you know, a fact about that? I had the flu. Oh my gosh. So is that why you didn't have a voice during that? Uh-huh. Oh, man. So I've been wanting to do, it's so crazy. Like, I've been wanting to meet with you for the longest time. I've went me to Seamus for the longest time. And, you know, they were like, you're going to be with Seamus and do his thing. I was like, awesome. And then got sick, lost my voice. I was like, you've got to be kidding me. And so by the time, like, I was working out with him, I was, I was so blown. I was trying to, like, hide it. I clearly did. And I had no voice. And I was drinking

Starting point is 00:08:27 tea. I was trying to like get everything to make it come back. I was like hitting myself. I was like, this, I was like, I wasn't going to say no, because I'm going, I have to do this. Yeah. And that's the idea. Like if you say, I'm, I'm sick right now. Could we do it another time? No. What if that other time doesn't happen? Imagine if I was healthy. He would, you would have died. He would have died. How could it have been any more intense? He would have died. No, I held back so. He has no idea. The poor guy. He has no idea.

Starting point is 00:08:54 That was an intense workout. It was okay. No, I told him. I was like that was a workout that I do like before TV. So what would have been like if you were on your best day? Oh, he's coming to my, he's coming to my gym in Florida next. No, that was, that was. In the heat of summer.

Starting point is 00:09:16 That was easy. No, he's coming to my gym in Florida next. Everybody thought that that was your real voice. Okay, wait, because I never talk. That's funny. There's all these comments that are like, she looks like such a beast and she has this soft little voice. Of course that happened to me.

Starting point is 00:09:33 Of course, like of all times for me to like talk and stuff, my voice was gone. I'm so embarrassed. But it is what it is. Like I can't do anything about it. I was like, of course people need my world voice because I've never talked or done anything. While they're finding out now.

Starting point is 00:09:46 This is what I sound like. I'm a normal day. This is your real voice. This is what you actually sound like. Oh, my gosh. goodness. Did you have a Tennessee accent when you were growing up? I did. Yeah, so I was born on the Panhandle, Florida, but I was super young when we moved. And then I lived in East Tennessee for, gosh, you know, I don't even know the math 20 years or something like that. What city or what town?

Starting point is 00:10:08 A little bit in Johnson City. And then the rest of it was in Knoxville. I only know Johnson City because of the Darius Rocker song. Oh, yeah, Wagon Wheel. city, Tangeras. I know how land dance. I know how I do all that. See, I came out a little bit just then.

Starting point is 00:10:22 Line dance. A land dance. It comes out in words. Especially if I go home, I turn southern. It's crazy. Yeah. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:10:27 So when you're growing up in a town like that, there's oftentimes the small town mentality. Yes. Right? Of like, well, just stay here. Everything's good. Why would you want to leave?

Starting point is 00:10:36 The idea like the crab's in a bucket idea. Have you heard that? No. And if one crab tries to escape, the other crabs go, what are you doing? And they pull the crab down. That's true.

Starting point is 00:10:46 Yeah. It is like that. And that's kind of what happens in a small town. Yeah. What was it that made you decide you wanted to leave that? Hmm. Oh, boy. So that's, well, you kind of, that's a great analogy because I feel like people get very comfortable.

Starting point is 00:11:05 And in that town where I was from, it's very, like, when I go back and visit, the same people are doing the same stuff, look the same, if not worse. But no, it's a great town. Of course, it's, you know, made me who I am. But at the same time, I knew how to get out of there in order to grow and to do what I want to do. So back when I was learning how to work out and learning how to build and become who I am, you know, I was like, I really wanted to, like, I knew that there was something there. And like, I was the first one to see it, like myself. You know, I didn't have many people around me, many role models or, you know, didn't have, you know, much to look up to because when I was, you know, when I was being raised and homeschooling, there wasn't a lot of, I wasn't really, you know, didn't have a lot to look

Starting point is 00:11:59 up to. I wasn't, what's the word? I wasn't, you weren't inspired. Yeah. Yeah, you know, and I, and I didn't know what I wanted to do. And, you know, that's, that's for most people, like, if you don't have a goal, you just don't know what you want to do, so you just become stagnant. Yeah, and it's kind of the idea of like, you're driving around a car without a, directions. Yeah, and it sucks. Just driving. And then you're in a town that doesn't really help, you know, but I knew, I knew deep down, I was like, I think I'm good at this workout stuff. Like, I think I'm pretty good at it. And, you know, it took a lot of, you know, faith in myself to really, like, you know, when people struggle with motivation, like, I don't know what, like, it was just

Starting point is 00:12:36 in me all along that I knew that I was meant for something. And there for a little bit after I got out of taekwondo and I started doing, I got involved in jihitsu and I fell in love with it. It's, it's awesome like to fight these big dudes because if anything, if anyone's ever going to attack me, it's going to be a big dude, not like a small, whatever. So I loved rolling around with like bigger guys, got into MMA for a little bit, boxing, all that stuff. I got my hands on everything because I just wanted to be someone who was real rounded. So when I was, I did my first. I did my first. I did my first MMA fight and I lost. And, you know, at the time I was a massage therapist. And I was like, this is, this is like a crazy life because I was like massaging during the day, MMA at night.

Starting point is 00:13:29 And it was two totally different world. I'd show up to my massage job with like busted lips and people thought I got like, you know, lip injections or something. I was like, no, I got punched in the face. This is nuts. Anyways. So, so. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So.. So. So. So after that first MMA fight, I was kind of, I was kind of, you know, it was, it was rough. Fight camps are rough. Cutting weight is rough. It was just a rough time. So shortly after that, I was watching, I think it was like Jimmy Fallon or something.

Starting point is 00:14:00 And my sister and I were watching it. And The Rock was on there talking about his new competitive show, the Titan Games. That was like six, seven years ago. That's crazy to think. It was that long ago. And my sister's like, you should, you should try to, like, try out for it. I was like, what do you mean? I was like, like a job, like just, like fell out of form or whatever.

Starting point is 00:14:23 She's like, yeah, do it. I was like, no, that's ridiculous. Like, that's absolutely ridiculous. And so at the time, I filled out the form online and then I just put it down. I didn't finish it. Well, this is, this is never going to happen. This is silly. So, like, a couple days later, you know, she asked me, like,

Starting point is 00:14:42 Did you fill it out? It's like, no, it's like, this is crazy. Like, this is all raid. Like, they already are picking people or whatever. And so a couple days later, finished filling out the form. And not even a day later, L.A. called me. And they, you know, I, like, half fast. I, like, sent in pictures and videos.

Starting point is 00:15:01 I already had on my phone. Like, it wasn't anything crazy. And they called me and said they love my story. They loved, you know, the stuff that I sent. And I thought it was a prank. Like, I really thought. someone just got my number from the website and they were just pranking me. Like, this is mean, whatever, whatever.

Starting point is 00:15:16 And they said, let's set up a Skype call. So I went to my gym. I did a Skype call and I still thought it was a prank. I was like, whoever this is, this is so mean, but I'm going with it. No, I really, I'm a very intricate prank too. I'm telling you, this is a prank. So, and then like the interview was weird because the lady was outside. It looked like she was on a roof or something.

Starting point is 00:15:36 I was like, this is a prank. Like, this is silly. Next thing you know, like I was getting legit emails from. from the Titan games. And I was like, oh, this is actually, this is actually, like, someone of living in a tiny town in Tennessee, like me, like, you're going to pick me. Like, this is, this crazy. So they had like a big combine thing, sent me out to California, never been to California.

Starting point is 00:15:59 I was like a Beverly Hillbilly walking up to California. And I was like, at cool. Like, no one knows my story. No one knows me. No one knows I've, like, barely been on a plane, barely been to California. I don't think I've ever been to California. at this point. And I was there, like, competing on a show with Dwayne Johnson. I was like, what is happening right now? I went out there. There was like over 100 people and I made it

Starting point is 00:16:24 through to the actual show. And then once I was on the show, I did really well. I didn't win the whole thing. But I was crowned one of like Dwayne Johnson's Titans, like first Titans or whatever, when on the show. And it was the best life-changing experience I ever done. Like I was so, like, I think people just forget to be grateful about opportunities. Because there's a lot of people there that were just like, oh, it's just another thing I'm doing. And I was like, someone who's come from nothing to California for the first time and competing on a show with The Rock, it's like, wake up. It's like, this is, this is like a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

Starting point is 00:17:09 I was just so, I was so like over the moon happy about it. Even though I didn't win, I didn't care. Like it was just such a powerful, Danny Garcia, who's the lady that ran the show and stuff. Yes, the Rock's producing. Yes, yes. She changed my life. Every time I see her, I tell her, you changed my life because she, you know, pick the people and, you know, who she won on the show and stuff. And I remember, like, how kind she was to me.

Starting point is 00:17:36 And, you know, I tell her every time, like, she changed my life. because it led me to here, and I'll not get to that in a second. But, but yeah, like The Rock and Danny Garcia absolutely, like, changed my life. If anything, I want them to know that forever because, you know, they changed my life. So when I did the show, it was all great. I came back to Tennessee with, like, the biggest head. I thought I was, you know, I thought it, you know. And, you know, I couldn't tell anybody because, like, we filmed it,

Starting point is 00:18:09 but it didn't air for like another six months or something, and we couldn't say anything about it. And so I had like this big attitude. I was like, I was like, I'm finally getting out of here. You all suck. And, but nothing happened. Duh, because the show didn't air. So I had like this weird attitude about like, almost like, you know, I regret all those attitudes because like it didn't really help me at all.

Starting point is 00:18:34 Then when I came back, I didn't have my job. So I didn't have my massage job because I had to leave for so much. many months, didn't come back. Yeah. And this is the cool part. So having that attitude, you know, I still needed a job. I couldn't just do nothing. You know, it's not how you pay your bills.

Starting point is 00:18:53 So the only job I had at the time was cleaning offices, cleaning toilets, cleaning toilets, mopping the floors, cleaning up after people at night, like all hours of the night. Wow. And so I remember this is crazy. This is crazy. I was cleaning like the cafeteria area. Like mopping up the floor is all the way. How did I get to it?

Starting point is 00:19:19 I was just a big shot in California shooting this show. Now I'm here mopping the floor or whatever. Then I realized what night it was. Like one of the episodes aired up on, up in the TV. And turned it on. I was watching myself on TV. I thought was mopping the floor. The juxtaposition of that is just, it's fascinating, right?

Starting point is 00:19:43 I was, I was, it was, it was, it was, it was, it was a, it was a humble check. It was like, I think anybody else would have been upset crying, like, pitching a fit. Right. But to me, I'm like, like that, you know, it's, it's a lot, it's, it's almost like remember where you came from type thing. It's just like, it's not like, like, you're not above anybody. That was a cool opportunity, but what are you going to do with that opportunity? I think that was probably the best thing to happen to me because it was something that

Starting point is 00:20:19 kept me leveled and I was like, I'm not done, like that I'm just getting started. It was weird. I was like, of course I'm not done. There's so much more for me out there. So once I had that mindset, that's when WWE reached out to me for a tryout. Because they saw you on the Titan games. Yep. Wow. Yep. Got noticed on the Titan Games. And because the other blessing was I was the first athlete, first, like, Dwayne Johnson, big show, blah, blah, blah. You know, my name popped up there as the first. So I think that helped me a lot, debut episode that I was the first one. I think that, of course, more eyes on the show. So I got, I think I got more noticed for that. So, yeah, at WWE, reached out to me for a trial and, and, uh, you know, I, being homeschooled growing up,

Starting point is 00:21:14 didn't really, um, there's a word I'm looking for that I can't find it. I'm not like, what's the word? Like, um, trying to find it. Like, I'm not acclimated. What's the word? Anyways, whatever it is. Um, lost my train of thought because I can't think of that word. Well, WW, we reached out. Yeah, WW, W, W, W, W, W, W, he reached out. Yeah, WWWE reached out to me. And I just, you know, never thought about wrestling before. And then I realized I was like, taquando ju-jitsu, some bodybuilding, some CrossFit, like all this stuff in a ring. I was like, hmm, that does sound interesting.

Starting point is 00:21:56 So flew down to Florida, another state I don't know much about. And went to Florida. And I'm telling you, like, I was just at the tryouts yesterday, watching and observing. And every time I'm out of trial, I can't, like, my tryout was the best days ever. I loved my tryout because, like, being homeschooled and not, like, being, you know, involved in a lot of things, I just love camaraderie. I love teams. I love being around people.

Starting point is 00:22:27 Like, it's something that I crave a lot because I didn't have that growing up. So, like, whenever there's teams or bonding and whatever, I get really, really, really excited. So on my tryout, you know, that was back when the PC was the PC. So we were talking like six years ago. And, you know, for a warmup, we ran around the PC, like outside as a warm up. And then we ran inside and did a bunch of rolls and bumping and stuff. And it was, I was like, I am not leaving this tryout without a job. Like I made sure, I made damn sure that they knew that. And did they say like one person from this trial? We'll get a. hired or did they have a number? So like back then, I feel like it's a little different back

Starting point is 00:23:12 then because I feel like there was only six people in my class. Oh, wow. I remember right, like six people that got hired from that class and there's like 40, 50 people. So. The trial. Wow. Yeah, like 40, 50 people at the trial and then six of us made it. And a lot of the tryout is them just trying to blow you up, right? Like them just trying to like see what your cardio's like. It's, it's a thousand percent if you're coachable. So if you start off kind of rough, you're nervous or whatever, like as long as you're coachable and you are continuously getting better, that's what they're looking for. So at the trial, you know, there was certain things. There was a drill where you had to like hit the ropes, burpee, jump over this thing, burpee, hit the ropes, like down and back as many times as you can in a minute.

Starting point is 00:23:59 And I'm pretty sure I blacked out on it because, like, I was going to win. I was going to make them notice me. And I remember like Matt Bloom and like Robbie Brookside and Norman Smiley was all there. And they were like, you know, like you will not make me puke. Like I'm leaving here with this job. You know, I was like I couldn't make it more clear to them. Like this, I'm not leaving until you give me this job. Like I was, I wanted to change my life.

Starting point is 00:24:25 I had to get out of Tennessee. I knew that like there was something meant for me. I just, I knew it. You know, I didn't know that all roads led to WWE. I did not know that. But, you know, it clearly did. I basically, you know, about eight months later, I came to NXT. Shopping for a car should be exciting, not exhausting.

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Starting point is 00:26:46 Results vary based on studies of topical and oral monoxide and fanasteride. Prescription product require an online consultation with a health care provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information. When you were on the Titan games, did you actually get to interact with the Rock? A little bit. Actually, yeah.

Starting point is 00:27:08 He was, it was crazy because, you know, like I'm trying to draw a picture of how timid I was. I, you know, like I said, never been to California, barely, like, have done anything, you know, in my life. And so I was about to do my first event. It was like a tug of war with like a pole with the girl on the other side, but you can't see the other, the girl on the other side. And as soon as, like, we were ready for the three, two, one go and the rock comes out. And then comes over, shakes my hand and says, good luck. And I'm like, ha, ha, ha. I was like, of course he did it right now.

Starting point is 00:27:45 I'm like, I meant to pee myself. But yeah, it was just, it was, it was nuts. And he was so nice. Like he, after I lost in the semifinals, he made sure that he talked to me. And I think, I don't know, like he had so many words of wisdom for me because he, He just let me know that just because you lost doesn't mean like this is like this is just the beginning for you. I think he also like since that I was on to bigger, better things, I'm not really sure.

Starting point is 00:28:12 But he just made sure, made sure to tell me that, you know, just because it didn't work out for you in the show. Like there's a lot more meant for you. It sounds like you've just had this idea in your head that you're meant for something more since you were just a kid. Yeah. Where'd that come from? Oh, gosh. You know, I'm from a family of four. I have two brothers and a sister. And, you know, it's we all have. Where are you at in that?

Starting point is 00:28:42 I have a younger brother and their sister and brother older. So you're number three? I'm number three. Number three. Yeah. So we're all, we're all so individually, like, it's so crazy. Like, I'm the only muscle bound girl, like, family member. It's so funny because, like, I don't look like I fit in because I'm just the only job. one and it's like, you're very jacked. Awkward. Seamus said your 99% hair, 1% 99% muscle, 1% hair. Did he say that? What was it?

Starting point is 00:29:12 99% muscle, 1% hair. He said that. He said that in your workout video. Yeah, I clearly wasn't well. I was not doing well. You should make a T-shirt that said that. Oh my gosh, I don't remember that at all. Oh, no.

Starting point is 00:29:26 I mean, is that not true? Yeah, I guess that is true. Well, now it's like half and half now. 99% muscle, 1% hair. I'm going to have to talk to them. I have to change that. That's a T-shirt. That's a T-shirt.

Starting point is 00:29:38 I don't know. Like I said, like, I said, you know, people ask me all the time, what motivates you, blah, blah, blah, blah. I feel like people look too much for, like, what drives you, what motivates you. I think people just like, it doesn't naturally come to them and I get it. And never, like, for me, it's always been there. I think it's because, I don't know, some people are just honestly born with, that drive because I've never not for one day like me and my husband talked about this because he's just as a workout freak as I am like we've probably never gone more than oh like you know

Starting point is 00:30:15 whether being sick or clearly I work out with the flu so it doesn't really count but you know we've never we've been so consistent in the past 15 years of working out that we've with if we weren't sick like we've never missed a day so like it's it's just it's just us. You know, it's not something that you can teach. You know, I can, I can try to encourage you, but like it's once you learn that it's all up to you and all up to your choices, you know, there's role models, but like I've always looked up to myself because that role model is not going to get me out of bed. The role model is not going to set my alarm for me. You know, like, there's people I look up to and admire, but other than that, like, it's all up to you

Starting point is 00:30:57 and the choices that you make. And it comes down to discipline. Yeah. Right. And it's like the decisions that you make today create the person that you're going to be tomorrow. Yep. So like, yeah, you can say yes to that piece of cake today or whatever, but it's like, well, what's that going to mean tomorrow? Yep. You don't do cheat meals ever? No, I don't believe in cheap meals.

Starting point is 00:31:17 What do you mean? I don't believe in them. Pizza's fantastic. Is it? Okay. No, so, I mean, I see the benefit and I understand. I understand them. So when I, I did the whole bodybuilding thing.

Starting point is 00:31:34 I did the whole, I did that whole diet. And of course, I did the cheat meal stuff. And I always felt like crap out of the cheat meals. Like I, I didn't look forward to them. I actually didn't want to do them because I felt like crap. And then once I realized, like, I dialed in on the weekends. I cut out the cheap meals. If I needed extra calories, I just ate more of the good stuff.

Starting point is 00:31:58 You're a machine. No, it's just annoying because, like, I don't know. I, of course, me and my husband, like, we really, you know, feed off each other really well. Like, we, you know, we'll have, like, I don't know, I'm terrible. Like, I'll have a buy to something and be fine. Like when it's somebody's birthday, when it's your birthday. Yeah. Do you put like a candle in a banana or something?

Starting point is 00:32:22 I can't even remember what, I can't even tell you what I do. What did I even do this last one? I don't even remember. Blowing out a protein shake? Oh, that's embarrassing. Um, no. Actually, I hate protein shakes. They're nasty.

Starting point is 00:32:32 So you don't believe in protein shakes. Not believe in protein. Protein shakes are nasty. It takes a lot for me to like, I don't know. They're just, I like to get a lot of stuff from food itself naturally. All right. So you want like whole foods. So chicken and red meat.

Starting point is 00:32:49 A lot of red meat. What are you typically getting your proteins from? From? Yeah. Like what sources? Oh, definitely red meat. My husband cooks a mean rabbi. Love it for rib.

Starting point is 00:33:00 Size of my face and I'll eat it all. Yeah, I mean, just like, I always believe in like you can get almost everything you need through food. I really do. So is it like, what are you using for carbs then? For carbs? Yeah. Don't tell me you don't believe in carbs. I do believe in carbs.

Starting point is 00:33:19 Honestly, me and my husband talk about this all the time because like we forget to eat sometimes because like we're so running around so busy. No, we're just like, you know, sweet potatoes and rice. Super simple. nothing crazy. And then veggies? I actually hate veggies. Like a five-year-old. We're learning so much about you.

Starting point is 00:33:39 No, I, when I was little, like I would hide broccoli from my mom. My dog wouldn't eat it, smart dog. Where'd you hide it? Under my dad's couch. I know he wouldn't be mad at me. Mom did find it. She's very upset. I'm telling you to this day, I have a really hard time eating veggie.

Starting point is 00:33:58 We have a story. I'm a five-year-old. We have a story. story in my family that we've been telling for decades, my uncle Bruce didn't want to eat Russell sprouts one time. So he Brussels. No, that'd be too big. Limer beans.

Starting point is 00:34:12 Lime of beans. Didn't want to eat lima beans. Don't blame them. So he shoved him up his nose. Wait. How old is he? He would have been like eight at the time. Eight?

Starting point is 00:34:22 But my dad was, my dad told this story for years and years and years. And then we heard the story so many times. And whenever we'd see my uncle Bruce, he'd be like, the lime of beans. Oh, that poor thing. He was desperate not to eat them. He didn't want to eat them. Wow. So you don't eat vegetables.

Starting point is 00:34:38 I do. I just rather not. What is the, like, perfect meal for you? Um, definitely a steak. Cooked. How do you like your steak cooked? Medium rare. On a charcoal grill, usually.

Starting point is 00:35:00 Yep. And then love, I mean, like, does corn count as a vegetable? Of course. What else would have been? I like, I like sweet potatoes. Like, that's like my, I know that I'm going to feel great the next day. Yeah. I always like think ahead.

Starting point is 00:35:15 Like whatever makes me feel good the next day. So what do you do when you're on the road? Because it's tough to you clean on the road. It's very tough. It goes back to decisions and staying disciplined. So like, I know that we, you know, we wrestle late Monday nights. We're getting two, three hours of sleep. and then, you know, get the first flight home.

Starting point is 00:35:34 You know, I just choose, you know, if I don't eat dinner or something, I'll just, like, fast. Do you pack meals? No. I've never done macros. I never counted a macro in my life, never done any. Like, I've done some, like, meal prep before, but most of the time, like, life is hard enough. Training is hard, you know, on the road is hard. It's just, like, making good decisions.

Starting point is 00:35:58 It's really not that hard. You know, just like, just don't lose it and like eat everything. But like that comes over time, you know, that doesn't, if I just tell you to do it, you're not going to do it. So. How did you get paired with the Creed brothers? How did I compare? Get paired with them. Oh, get paired.

Starting point is 00:36:18 I was like, Brutus eats like cheese curds before matching. Cheese curds? Yeah, they eat. Nice. Those boys eat a lot. Yeah. Yeah, been with them for five years, almost five years. Yeah, like basically since you started in WWA.

Starting point is 00:36:35 Mm-hmm. So who said, all right, them and Ivy Nile? Yeah, I think, I think, you know, we, of course, we all, like, get along my brother and sister. If I'm with us for five minutes, then you know, gosh, I love them. Are you traveling with them? Yeah, every week. What a car that must be. It's, it gets really hot and cold sometimes.

Starting point is 00:37:00 No, it's extremely entertaining. But like 5 a.m. in the morning sometimes it's just like we're all zombies. It's just like walking around. But yeah, we, you know, we always like there for a little bit. We like made sure we went and found like a rock climbing place or like see the towns that we're in. Because I think sometimes you're just like come and go from these towns too much. Like there's so many cool stuff in these towns that we visit. So we try to like, you know, kind of do anything that's in the town.

Starting point is 00:37:30 that's interesting or, you know, yeah, it's fun. Yeah, so who originally paired you guys together? Well, in NXT, you know, we first started off as Diamond Mine. You know, I was just starting my career and I think they were starting theirs too. So they're just putting a faction together and they wanted to add a girl to it. And at the time, like in NXT, there wasn't that many girls there at the time. I can't really remember who I was there. But I just fit them old, you know, like it was like a fighting style, wrestling style type faction coming together.

Starting point is 00:38:05 So it made sense. I mean, there was a bunch of other people in that group at the time. But me and the crates have been together ever since. Like people have come and gone like crazy. Yeah. And me and the boys have definitely like have been through a lot in the past couple of years. And, you know, it's a blessing that we got moved up together as well because sometimes that doesn't happen. So very happy that we did.

Starting point is 00:38:27 You did this insane lift with Julius Creed. So he's doing like a shoulder press. Yep. With you on top doing like a handstand. Handstand hold. Yeah. What? So like of all people, of course, I trust Julius with my life.

Starting point is 00:38:42 Like, of course. Like, you know, like the first time we tried it, I was like, there's no way. There's no way. There's no way. Like, give me down. You thought you might get dropped? Well, like, of course, like there's people around me spotting. But like, he's so insanely strong.

Starting point is 00:38:56 He has like that, I don't think he even warmed up for this. I think he just did it. Like he's, he's insane. He's insane. No, that was, gosh, that was a while ago. And like, we've done, like, you know, crazy stuff like that, but that one's probably the craziest. It just the visual of it.

Starting point is 00:39:12 It was wild. Like he's lifting all this weight and a human. Yes. It was, I think it started as a front squat. Yeah. Yeah. The front squat into a shoulder press. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:39:25 I think it was like a strict press. I weigh like 140. Yeah, it was nuts. Nuts. It was nuts. Yeah, he's insanely strong. You've also done some crazy workouts with Jordan Grace. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:39:36 Like there's the one where I don't even know what you'd call it, but you're like, you're both up against the wall. Yeah. I don't know. What do you call this? Oh, I don't know. We just, she came to work out with me one day. Of course, you know, as many people want to.

Starting point is 00:39:50 The list is long, I'm sure. There's a wait list, please. No, she's awesome. You know, she. wanted to come work out with me and next thing you know we were we did a workout and then we just started doing a bunch of strong women stuff it's just it's just nuts you know we we did everything you know she's she's insanely strong yeah she's doing a plank on a wall yep and i'm on top of her i think i did a push up on top yeah but like climbing up the wall

Starting point is 00:40:15 easy stuff yeah of course no big deal easy stuff yeah yeah there's a lot of comparisons between you and jordan grace yeah like you guys very similar uh body framed. Mm-hmm. And then there's this moment in the Royal Rumble. Yeah. Where you both do a vertical suplex at the same time. Yep.

Starting point is 00:40:35 That was pretty cool. Gosh, yeah. It was really cool because it was, I don't know, it was like meeting my match type thing with, like, you know, when it comes to muscle because, you know, I mean, like there's beautiful, beautiful women that I work with that have tons of muscle. But I feel like Jordan and I definitely have a little bit more relation when it comes to that. So that was a cool moment to have with her, for sure. I think there was, maybe it was Jordan that posted it. Do you guys flexing at the Rumble, like backstage? That was actually this past year.

Starting point is 00:41:06 Yeah, this past year we did like a flex off. People went nuts. Oh, this is funny. People are so funny. I mean, it's a lot of muscle there. Yeah, it is. Yeah, you guys are both jacked. Yeah, very jacked.

Starting point is 00:41:19 So when do we see Ivy Nile versus Jordan Grace? Well, um, That's a good question. Down for whatever. That feels like a big match. Yeah. Oh, big fight feel. Big fight feel.

Starting point is 00:41:33 That has to be one of the matches that when people talk to you, it's like those are the- Oh, yeah. She comes up a lot. Yes, of course. And it's like you said, it's almost like looking in a mirror. It's like it's meeting your body type of match. Definitely like it's cool because she's had a probably total opposite background than me because she's bodybuilding world and, you know, that was powerlifting first for her.

Starting point is 00:42:00 Yeah. Like the transformation she's had over the last five, eight years is crazy. It's, it's, that's dedication. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. She looks like a completely different person now. So that's a match we need to see at some point in time.

Starting point is 00:42:13 Yep. Yeah. Mm-hmm. So you're paired with the Creed brothers. Then how does Chad Gable get worked into this? Um, so, of course, like, you know, the boys, you know, have. huge, huge wrestling skills. And I think, of course, that aligns with Chad. I don't know. I think some things just organically happen, you know, and that's something that just made sense.

Starting point is 00:42:37 What have you learned from working with Chad? You know, Chad has been in this business for so, so long. And he's had, you know, like when I first, when I first started with the company, I kind of started unlike anyone else. I started like three months before coached. would hit. And then I was in the COVID era as, you know, one of those people in the audience behind the hockey windows or whatever. So, like, I was one of those, one of the people always there cheering and whatever. And at the time, you know, he was, he was shortaging at the time. And it was, it was crazy to see his growth from there because, like, I've always admired him since then. Because he's, has, like, it's, it's crazy how, like, no matter what you give him, he kills it.

Starting point is 00:43:24 And that's so like you once I think you once you get to that level of whatever they throw at you, they know that you can kill it and run with it. It's such like an amazing skill to have that, of course, I aspire to be that. What an athlete he is. Incredible. And I'm so excited to see the next gear that he goes into when it comes back from this injury. Yeah. Because he's just been, I mean, there's never a good time to get injured, obviously, but he was

Starting point is 00:43:52 on such a tear. Yeah, I know. And I feel like he's got to just be so anxious and ready to come back. I can't imagine. I'd be going crazy. This episode is brought to you by Rocket Money. A lot of people aren't aware of how much money they spend each month. Like, do you know how many subscriptions that you pay for?

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Starting point is 00:45:07 Go to RocketMoney.com slash CVV today. That's rocketmoney.com slash CVV. RocketMoney.com slash CVV. The United States Soccer Federation present the U.S. Soccer Podcast. My name is David Goss, and I'm joined by my co-host, Megan Klinemberg. And now we're giving people an inside look at the World Cup. Time's ticking.

Starting point is 00:45:33 I think you can feel the intensity. All the guys are wanting to really stick their claimant, and they want to be on that World Cup roster. There's no doubt about it. Hosting the World Cup on the home soil comes with its pressures, but we're just really excited just as the people are. The U.S. Soccer Podcast, presented by Henco.

Starting point is 00:45:48 Follow and listen on your favorite platform. I don't know if you've heard the rumors or not, but people think that you might be Al Grande. Americano. Who said that? I saw it on the internet. That person wasn't jacked. They weren't this jacked.

Starting point is 00:46:05 It's interesting. Do you have any idea who it might be? From this past week? Or what do you mean? The guy that showed up last week? Well, that's not all Grande-A Americano? Oh, I don't know. I don't know.

Starting point is 00:46:17 You said it might be Ludwig Kaiser, but... Oh, I did. I did say that. Yeah. Yeah. Does that mean that it's Ludwig Kaiser? Possibly. Could be.

Starting point is 00:46:26 Have you seen them in the same room? That's a good point. We have seen you in the same room as El Grande Americano. So maybe it can't be you. No. Huh. Not as Jacked. We, not as Jack.

Starting point is 00:46:42 We haven't seen Omas in the same room. Oh, that is interesting. I know. That is very, it's a good point. I know. There's a lot of similarities there. Yeah. We haven't seen Omas on TV in a long time.

Starting point is 00:46:57 But we've seen Al Gras de Americano. You know, his name has been brought up more than anyone. What an unveil that would be. You know who else it could be? Hornswoggle. Oh, yeah. It could be. I guess we're going to have to wait.

Starting point is 00:47:21 I don't know for what, but. You might know better than me. I don't know. There's got to be some. There's got to be some big payoff here. Yeah, I agree. No, I agree. Got some, you know.

Starting point is 00:47:36 I'll get that tea for you. Yeah, you'll figure it out. I'll figure it out for you. Get to the bottom of this for me. I'll get that tea for you. Don't worry. I feel like he keeps getting taller and then shorter and then. He's going through a lot of phases.

Starting point is 00:47:48 More jacked. He's growing up. Less jacked. He's going through a phase. I don't know how that's possible, but. Yeah, it is interesting. The history of Algrane Americano just goes deep. It's amazing.

Starting point is 00:48:02 He's wrestled all over the world and somehow gets taller and shorter somehow. It's crazy. Must be the boots. A little lift in the boots. I thought you just cut people off when they talk about it. And we're not here to talk about that. I'm not here to talk about that. You can't talk about me.

Starting point is 00:48:20 What's next for you? You know, like I said, I had a really. kind of a rough start with NXT started like three months in everything shut down the world shut down basically how to like start over it because we couldn't really train as much because we kept getting shut down or whatever whatever and so it was hard to kind of get my feet running because like I couldn't consistently train at the time it was a horrible time to start it's just a strange time for wrestling yeah it was very strange and ironically too like it's a I um went on a date with my husband.

Starting point is 00:49:00 The first, like, I blew him off for, like, three or four months. Said no for months. Like, I didn't hear, I didn't come here to meet a man. I came ready to change my life. Of course, you love that. You did both. Yeah, I was like, I was like, new. And then, of course, I said yes.

Starting point is 00:49:17 And then the night, it was like, it was a Thursday night. He took me out on my first, on our first date. And that night, I got messages from work saying, like, no live events this weekend. And we don't know what's going on. Like the world started shutting down that night. We all remember that weekend. And I was like, it was like mid-March 22nd.

Starting point is 00:49:34 Yes. And I don't know. I was like, is this a good sign or a bad sign? First date in the world churning down. I was like, I don't know about this. Of course, we're married.

Starting point is 00:49:43 Like, it's fine. But yeah, so it was, you know, like I couldn't get consistent training. It was a really, really hard time to start. But, you know, once I started in NXT, got my feet running and, you know, went with the Creed brother. all this. And then we got moved up. When my first matches on Raw was RIA, and that was,

Starting point is 00:50:02 that was something that, you know, because like sometimes when you get to main roster, it's like, who are you? Like, can you hang? Are you able to, like, it's, it's a whole different playing field. Like, it's, it's, the crowds are bigger. The, the stars are bigger. So, like, on main roster, it's almost like, can you, can you hang? Like, I kind of felt like I was, like, treading water a little bit. But once I got that RIA match, like, I was like, I was like, I deserve to be here. Did you feel like you could hang? Yeah.

Starting point is 00:50:30 I did. Yeah. So where does it go from here? You know, from here, like I, the best thing about being on main roster is all the opportunities. Like we have SummerSlan this weekend, WrestleMania, we have elimination chamber. Like, we have so many things we can be a part of. So that's something that I'm so, like, hopeful and just ready to be a part of. That's all I want to be, just to be a part of it.

Starting point is 00:50:54 you know, I'm just dying to kind of break loose and, you know, hopefully get a chance to be a part of something amazing because that's all we want to do is just be a part of something. You know, that's, that's where you fight for a whole career. It's not, you know, I don't really, you know, like, of course, a course I want a title. Of course I want something to be, you know, so proud of and like something to work towards. But like being a part of something amazing, like being a part of a Survivor Series match or elimination chamber, like being a part of a, like being a part of a, of a Survivor Series match or elimination chamber, like being a part of. part of something that's, you know, with a team with, with girls, like people that you, like, fight with, like, we fight against each other, but we're always fighting with each other. And I feel like it's just, this is, this is something that I've been a part of that's, like, really, like, gets me excited and gets me, like, you know, I just always want to be a part of something and this is that something. Yeah. So I'm just, I'm just really, really dying to be a part of it.

Starting point is 00:51:49 Yeah. Who have you not worked one-on-one with yet? other than Jordan Grace that you won't have a match with. Of course. So I had a four-way a couple weeks ago and Oscar was in it and gosh, she is, oh, I think she's amazing. One-on-one. Well, that could be one of them. Oh, like one-on-one.

Starting point is 00:52:09 Absolutely, Oscar. She's incredible. Haven't had Bianca one-on-one, Tennessee girl. Both are Knoxville. Yeah. Yeah, I've had Rhea. I love Liv was amazing. I love Liv.

Starting point is 00:52:23 I would love to have a singles with her. Stephanie was amazing. Loved working with Stephanie. Trying to think outside the box here. Flash Legend and I have had amazing matches in NXT. She's one of my favorite people to work with ever. So Lash is definitely one of my. I would love to work with her on Main.

Starting point is 00:52:48 What's the match that you're just so, proud of in your career? Mako Sanamora is definitely up there because I had her at NXT, UK. And that was one of my, like, true big matches that I've had. And honestly, I didn't think that I could hang. Like, I, like, this is, this lady is in one, the most amazing, like, it's hard to, like, it was, it was, it was just, I was like, I thought I didn't deserve it. Like, I don't deserve this match.

Starting point is 00:53:18 It's like, this is crazy. And once I remember when I finished that match, I was overwhelmed with like how proud I was on myself. I was like, I just did that. I went toe to toe with Mako. Like this is like I have so much more to like to give and to show. And, you know, that was definitely a defining moment for me for sure. Your nickname the pit bull might be one of the most appropriate nicknames for someone that's built like you. Oh, thank you.

Starting point is 00:53:46 It's true. I got it. Yeah. How did you get it? I was, did jih Tutsu forever. I still do it occasionally. And I was, I was rolling around with, it was a seminar at the time and this big black bell came to town and he was doing a seminar.

Starting point is 00:54:04 And at the time, I was a rolling around with his son. And I, you know, his, got his son in his submission. And he went out and he, like, had a mini seizure. and like it was really it was like on top of me too and I was like oh my god I was like is okay I like I yeah it was bad but like he was fine of course it's all it's it's all in jih Tzu fun you know it was fun so like I you know choked him out and you know it's it's like a collar choke that I did all the time in jiu jitzu and there's a pit bull on the sleeve so like every time I get that choke like you're going out like unless you tap like you're not going to go

Starting point is 00:54:46 out. But like, that was like, if I got that choke, it was over. So like, that's, that's how I got it. And is this why your finisher now is some sort of a sleep or some sort of a submission? Yep. Makes sense. Yeah. It does make sense. The Germans you do are. Thank you, Chad Gable. Oh, yeah? Yeah. Did Chad Gable teach you how to do these Germans? Not teach, but just inspire me to get better at them and like look as good as his. I mean, I don't know if that would ever happen. But no, but thank you. Yeah. It's definitely one of my moves for sure.

Starting point is 00:55:18 Like the high angle. Yeah. Like it's wild how you pull that off. Yeah. It's on the hips. It's all on the hips. That's it? Yep.

Starting point is 00:55:27 And I guess when you have the kind of strength that you have, like you just make it look so easy. Thank you. Do it to anyone. Anyone? Anyone. Omas? Yes. If I break him down.

Starting point is 00:55:41 Otis? Otis. He's a very low. center of gravity. Oh, that might be hard. It might be a little, little German, just like, it might be it. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's funny.

Starting point is 00:55:54 Yeah. That's a noisy mix. That's good. I'm sure you can do a much better Otis impression. Spent a lot of, you spent a lot of time with Otis. Yes. He's awesome. That guy's hilarious.

Starting point is 00:56:07 He's awesome. So funny. Yeah, Chad Gable just has this ability to, like, I feel like he can hit a German from anywhere. He's incredible. Yeah. It really is. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:56:18 Well, you've got a lot of that, you know, in the way that you wrestle as well. Yeah. Like, you wrestle like a pit bull. Yeah, I do. You know, it's, I feel like the wrestling style I have, the wrestling style I have right now is definitely, definitely like I found my groove. It's, it's like, I don't know. I don't think people expect it from someone of your size, you know, like. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:56:42 And I mean that in a great way. it's almost like it's deceiving. Yeah. And then you have this incredible strength and tenacity and you don't get blown up ever. No, I mean, of course I do. But so that came from the mentality of, so like, you know, like I said, when I started working out when I was younger, there were some instances that happened to me that like I was, you know, I was trying to be like, you know, there's like some, I don't want to really get into it.

Starting point is 00:57:14 just like a darker, like, instances that happened to me and I was younger. And, like, I was trying to put two and two together. I was like, why am I so, like, vulnerable and weak looking? Because, like, I was, I was small. I was nice to, like, a fault kind of. And so, like, that kind of led to people, you know, kind of taking advantage of being how nice I was. And so.

Starting point is 00:57:40 They saw your niceness as weakness? Yes. And of course, like, you know, many people pray off that. You know, people with very bad intentions. So I was like, why, why me? Like, why is it because I'm nice? Is it because I'm small and people think, you know, whatever? And so I knew that, like, what's, like, I wanted to be, like, the opposite. Like, I want to be intimidating. Like, don't mess with me, you know. Like, it not to be mean. It's just like, I'm not the one. don't mess with me. So like how, how can I show that? You know, so I was like, going to build muscle and I'm going to do an RBF. We're going to work on it. So, you know, it's just like not being an easy target, I think is, you know, most of it. And that mentality of like, I'm not the one move on. Did you work on your RBF? I did. It comes pretty naturally. But I mean, like, resting bitch face is what we're talking about here. Like, I'm not the one move on.

Starting point is 00:58:42 You know, it's like I, you know, like there's, like I said, there's been instances like growing up before and like, you know, you know, everyone has times in their life where like you get mistreated and all this. And I feel like once you work on yourself, once you like, you know, when I really started putting muscle on, like it gives you a lot of confidence. Sure. You know, and people don't want to mess with you. Like you see me walking somewhere like, like I'm the last one you're going to mess with. You know what I mean? Yeah. Well, I think what it says when someone walks in with arms like that and no sleeves,

Starting point is 00:59:18 it immediately tells everybody else this person has discipline. Yep. This person has confidence. Yeah. Which are two things that a lot of people lack. So when you're walking in and you're basically boasting that you have that, it's like, all right. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:59:32 Don't answer to there. She knows who she is. Yes. And yeah, we're not going to mess with it. Yeah. It's most people prey on people that, you know, are weaker. of weaker minded or they don't know who they are. So I really feel like if you don't know what you believe and you fall for everything.

Starting point is 00:59:48 So I really feel like if you really know who you are. And that's hard, you know, especially in this job where, you know, you're just, you kind of, there was a time where I didn't lose myself, you know, I kind of, you kind of forget where you're capable of, what you've been through. And you just have to remind yourself, like, how far you come, where I started and, you know, small town in Tennessee, started with nothing, started, you know, from so small. and like how I got here. I have to remind myself with that sometimes

Starting point is 01:00:14 because you can't get lost pretty easy. But it sounds like you're still hungry. Oh, yeah. There's a lot of people, though, that just getting the audition to be on the Titan Games would have been enough. That'd be the story that they'd go back to their small town and tell everyone about it.

Starting point is 01:00:28 Remember that time that I auditioned for the Titan games? I didn't get it, but they flew me to California. Yeah. They paid for my flight. They put me in a hotel. I'd be like, so what? That's, and that's why you're built different. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:00:41 Right. I'm telling you, like, I'm telling you right now, like, I, the proof of my life, like, when I was before, like, the Titan Games even happened. Like, I knew for, like, those 10 years, I'm like 15 to 25, I think I went on, I was 25 when I went the time games. From 15 to 25, I knew. And I knew that nothing, but positivity comes from hard work. You know, if you're, if you're working hard, if you're putting the training in, you can't get it wrong when it comes to training. Ben. It's just you, nothing but positivity comes from training, from working out, from being the better self of you. It's all positive. So like,

Starting point is 01:01:25 whatever you can do for yourself, like you're just becoming a better person. So I just knew, like, I knew that from a testament to myself, and I knew that the 10 years to give me on the Titan Games, check,

Starting point is 01:01:37 that worked. And then from, 10 games to WWE. Like I trained with Tom Pritchard right before I came to WWE for like, gosh, that was a crazy schedule. I did training with upatrones in the morning, all day, massaging during the day, and then wrestling at night. Wow.

Starting point is 01:02:00 I was a machine. You still are. I was a machine. And I knew that it was all going to, like I knew because I was, it was all positive. nothing negative is coming out of it. I'm investing, investing, investing, investing. And then WWE came and then I knew that, you know, like we do this, we do this in Tequo a lot.

Starting point is 01:02:18 It's like when people get their black belt, it's like, all right, I'm done. I accomplished it. I'm a black belt. Yay. I guess I'm a black belt now. But when you get your black belt, the journey is just beginning. So it's almost like when I knew that I got to WWE, I'm just getting started. And now that I'm on main roster, it's like getting another notch on my belt.

Starting point is 01:02:39 I'm just getting started. White belt mentality, right? Yes. That what they talk about? Very good. Very good. I've listened to a podcaster too. No, it's not like, yeah, it's like, you know, when I first started wrestling,

Starting point is 01:02:51 Shana, she was the first, one of the first ones to work with me because she knew I did jit-soo and, like, martial arts and stuff. And she was the first one, like, when you start wrestling, like, there's so many, so much to learn. It's very overwhelming. But she was the first one to get in the ring with me and, like, roll around with me and make me feel comfortable because she knew that, like, just like, get in there. and like roll around like don't like overthink it. She was the first one that kind of taught me how to like not

Starting point is 01:03:14 overthink it. I think if you can have that beginner's mentality, that white belt mentality and you're always looking for the opportunity to learn all the time, then you're always going to advance. Yeah. Because you're always looking for the opportunity to like, all right, what can I learn from the situation? Yeah, absolutely. It sounds like that's what you're doing now in the main roster. Yeah. Taking every match and you're learning from her. Are you rewatching your matches afterwards? I'm very, very hard on myself. Of course, because like when you have that mentality, it's, you always want more. You just want to be a, like I said before, like you just want to be a part of something. And I'm so like, like I said, I've been on main roster for a year in a half.

Starting point is 01:03:57 And I'm just, I'm, I just want to get my hands on everything. I want to be a part of everything. I am ready. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to, you know. Hungry. Well, let's see where you go from here. Let's go. I'm excited to see it. Thank you. Thank you for making this happen.

Starting point is 01:04:16 You have such an incredible story. And I'm motivated by that idea of like always being hungry for what's next. Always looking for the next opportunity, never being satisfied with what you have. I love that. And I can relate. I'm from a town in Canada. And I always had the goal of like, one day I'm going to work in the United States. Now I've been here for 15 years and I'm grateful to be able to call this my home.

Starting point is 01:04:42 Amazing. So I can relate to your story in a lot of ways and I love it. So I'm excited to see what's next for you. Thank you. You mentioned gratitude during this interview and that's something that I love so much. I end every interview with gratitude. What are three things in your life right now that you're grateful for? Oh, there's a lot.

Starting point is 01:05:00 Only three? You couldn't say as many as you'd like, but we'll start with three. I've got to say my husband first, just because, of course, he's been with me through the whole journey. I mean, like, we've only been married for two and a half years, been together for five ever since I started, you know, wrestling, basically. And he's the one that keeps in my mind in check. Because if it wasn't for that, we could just, whoa, whoa, whoa. Like you said, like, you know, I feel like to a fault, I kind of get hard on myself. I'm like, I need to do more.

Starting point is 01:05:32 I'm not like I don't feel fulfilled yet. I don't think I ever will and that's a good thing about it because you're always working towards the next thing. But I feel like that can always leave, not a void, but almost like a, I haven't done enough. I haven't done enough. And that can be like really heavy on me sometimes and he's the one that keeps me grounded. Thank you, honey. I know it's intense sometimes.

Starting point is 01:05:56 I'm so intense sometimes. I've got to calm down. Sometimes though it's good to see how far you've come. Yes. Right? Yes. Of course. Of course.

Starting point is 01:06:04 To be able to just like take half a step back. Yeah. And just look at, oh my gosh, look what I've accomplished. Yeah. It's really important. To still keep looking forward, but to go, wow. Yeah. I've come a long way.

Starting point is 01:06:18 Yeah. For sure. Second thing, I am super grateful for this job. It's the platform and like to travel to all these cities and wrestle. And like the opportunity like, I go back to that first time I went to California is, like, how excited I was and how grateful I was to, like, be a part of something. It's, I have the same mentality now.

Starting point is 01:06:45 Like, I think some people think it's annoying because, like, they think, you know, some people just kind of go about it as another day or whatever. And it's just like, I look at it totally different because I'm so grateful for the chance to, like, I'm a part of WWE. Yeah. You know, it's like really. How many people get to say that? Yeah.

Starting point is 01:07:08 You know, people, you know, there's tons of people that I know that would love to be in my shoes, you know, and I don't take that for granted because, just because my story was different getting here, you know, doesn't mean I deserve it more than anyone else. And I feel like, you know, I will ever take that for granted because that, you know, just going to Raw every Monday and being ringside, you're just like, wow. This like, and then, you know, I do. remember, you know, before I even did Highten games, like where I was and like how where I knew I was worth more and like this was what I was meant to do. So definitely grateful for this job,

Starting point is 01:07:46 for sure, career, job, whatever you want to put it. Third, gosh, very grateful for my health. You know, I feel like I've had an amazing, amazing uprise on my journey, on my fitness journey. I've done accomplished so much more than I ever thought I would. I mean, I'm so, like, our bodies are so amazing. Like, we're, we're meant to move. We're meant to, like, do amazing things with our bodies. Like, not to be dramatic or anything, but, like, when, you know, I'm tired. I, blah. It's like, there's people that lived on the ocean for 30 days and they were fine. It's like, stop being dramatic. You know what I mean? Like, we're meant to survive and move and, like, do so much more. Like,

Starting point is 01:08:31 There's a movie where there's a guy strained it for 30 days and he's survived. We're like, and like I'm dying after six hours and not eating. It's like, I can get over that. So like if we're, if we really like think about like how amazing our bodies are and what we're really capable of, my sister was very, very encouraging to me about like, because she, she went through a whole, whole health thing and, you know, she had bone cancer and she's good now. But we, she really made it a point to me to like, we're capable of so much because she's been through so much, almost lost her leg.

Starting point is 01:09:05 It was a whole, it was a whole thing. But she really, like, reminded me of, like, how amazing health is and what, like, I'm personally capable of. And I'll never forget that. And, like, I shock myself a lot, like, how much I can do. And sometimes when we are healthy and we have healthy, health, we have to remind ourselves. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:09:28 What a great gift that is. Yes. We forget a lot. There's this quote that I love. It's the well man has a thousand problems. The sick man has one. And it's so true, right? Ooh.

Starting point is 01:09:42 It's so true. It's good. You know, when you're healthy, all these other little things are your focus. When you're sick, that is the only thing you're focused on. Have you heard of pep talk? Pep Talk. It's an app. No.

Starting point is 01:09:56 we should look into doing like a motivational. Yeah? Motivational like talk one day. That sounds amazing. So pep talk is I've sometimes like when I work out like music gets kind of mundane and like like music is just like I doesn't do it for me anymore. So like there's an app that it's like motivational speakers like 10 of them. Yeah. Okay.

Starting point is 01:10:21 Put to music. I love that. So it gives you goosebumps as you're working out and you just like went through a wall. And it's just, it's so awesome because you'll have like, I don't know, I can't really think of anyone at the top of my head, but like amazing motivational speakers from all over the world. And like they put it to like this theatrical music and it like starts small and then it gets up and up and up. And so like it's, it's really cool. So like, but we have some pretty cool stuff to say. And that'd be, that'd be pretty cool to talk about.

Starting point is 01:10:46 That sounds great. And I'm going to download this app because I want to work out to that. I had the podcast right now. One of those psychos that. Yeah. No, yeah. to people talking while I'm working out. There's one specific one that I listened to leading up to the Titan games

Starting point is 01:11:00 that got my mind right. It was through pep talk, yeah. I love that. Yeah, it was great. I'm just very driven by great quotes. I love motivational quotes. I love the just words in general. I'm a communication studies major in university.

Starting point is 01:11:17 So I love just like, how can you tell me this story using eight words or something, I'm using 10 words and it can be something that's so profound. I'm really like, that's a huge thing for me. John Cena said three words to me in an interview that I'll never forget. I think about it every single day. Control the controllable. Control the controllable. You can't control what other people say.

Starting point is 01:11:40 You can't control what other people do, but you can control how you react to what other people say and what other people do. And I think about that all the time. Three words. Control and controllable. Impacted you. in such a huge way. You know, it's another interesting thing on that pep talk.

Starting point is 01:11:56 There's like no women. Well, why aren't you on there? Well, I mean, like, so like all these guys, like have been through stuff and, you know, they've been through stuff. Like, I've been through a lot. But I don't know. I feel like I need to accomplish more in order to like have some like, uh, behind it. What are you talking about?

Starting point is 01:12:16 I don't know. I'm crazy. I know I'm crazy. No, I, this never announced. Never enough. But no, like there's, we need more women in that space because I'm going to relate more to a woman. Of course.

Starting point is 01:12:31 I mean, of course, like, guys, I think the world of it's not that. It's just like, we need more women in the space of, of course, it's hard. Like, life is so hard. Like, you know, it's really hard to kind of, I don't know. Like you said, like there's certain words that impact certain people. So if I can say the right words to impact one person, like, Danny Garcia changed my My life, like single, like my life. So like, as long as she knows that, I'm sure that means the world to her.

Starting point is 01:12:57 So if I can change someone's life because of a few words, like, why not? Don't you feel like you already are? I feel like if I had a phrase that I, me and my husband love the, first of all, hard work works. I love that one. That's good. Hard work works. That's a t-shirt.

Starting point is 01:13:15 And what was the other one? It's, um, daggone it. I think it's 99% muscle, 1% hair. I might be that one. No, it was another one. Oh my gosh. He's going to be so mad at me that I can't remember this one. Oh, no, wait.

Starting point is 01:13:31 I'll think of it. I'll give you another one since I just were spewing out quotes at each other. Vague goals get vague results. Right? And specific goals get specific results. I think about that a lot. I want to lose some weight. Well, if you lose one pound, you have lost some weight.

Starting point is 01:13:47 I think it needs to be like, I want to lose 10 pounds behind my birthday. I get that. Or whatever it happens to be. Like, be specific with it. I like that one. But don't you think you're already inspiring people by just who you are in the life that you're living? Yeah, I do. No, I do.

Starting point is 01:14:03 I think this is really the first time I've really shared anything. So I really, that's why I'm really excited to do this. I was so excited to have you on. No, I'm so excited. We've been talking about this for a long time. I know. I'm just so grateful. I'm number four.

Starting point is 01:14:15 I'm grateful for you. Wow. Thank you. No, it's just like I, I feel like. Like, I don't know, I feel like I definitely can be inspired. But I cannot help but feel like I just have so much more to do. I think that when people just see how you're built and they see you come out on Monday Night Raw and you're built like this, that is inspiring.

Starting point is 01:14:38 Yeah, I also too, like, I don't want it to be something where you can't like, because people think you can't attain it or you can't or like they can't relate because like, I don't know, I've always, I've never wanted to discourage. always wanted to encourage because like I never wanted to make people feel like you can never get something like this when I'm all basically self-taught. I mean, I've had amazing coaches along the way, but the get up and go, like that was all me like that. I didn't have, you know, someone calling me for like, what is it? Like when people, you keep people accountable. Like, I'm the one that I count myself accountable. There's friends that like I've worked out with in the

Starting point is 01:15:16 past that like makes you not call me if I'm not there. I'm like, no. You're other going to come or not. I'm not waiting for you. No, it's like, you've got to learn. Like, I'm not waiting for anyone. Like, this is what I'm doing. So, I don't know if I can talk about this, but Lyra, you know, you talked to her recently. She's been one of my best protegees so far. She has worked so incredibly hard. Like, she, she's just as crazy as I am when it comes to, like, zero to 100. Like, she, you know, has been doing a lot of cross-foot with me, too. And she's been doing amazing, but I think she's understanding, like, that crazy side of me. Well, give us one big flex before we wrap this thing.

Starting point is 01:15:56 Oh, man. So. Oh, my gosh. I didn't experiment the other day. So we measured. I was, like, 13 inches. And then by the end of the workout, I was like 13. Oh, okay.

Starting point is 01:16:08 So cold versus warm. It works. Mm. Work works. Work. Works. That is a shirt. Yes.

Starting point is 01:16:15 No, it's true. I live by that. I'm still trying to think of the other one. I really have to tell you before we go because it really is good. Text me later when you remember. I cannot believe it. It's okay. We'll save it for our next interview.

Starting point is 01:16:31 Okay. I'm sorry. How does that sound? I'll keep it together. Yes. This is amazing. I'm so excited to see what's next for you. Thank you.

Starting point is 01:16:38 No. Thank you for making this happen. Thank you. Appreciate it. All right, my friends. I love this in-depth look into who Ivy Nile is and what makes her tick. Talk about discipline, right? And also, a big thank you to Ivy for joining us on this episode.

Starting point is 01:17:01 I'm excited to see what's next for her. She obviously has this new look. What comes along with this? Maybe a new attitude, maybe a whole new angle. Maybe we see an El Grande Americano that looks similar to her. I still feel like she knows who El Grande Americano is. And she's just not telling us. Snap a screenshot.

Starting point is 01:17:22 And tag us. Let us know that you listen to this episode. She's at Ivy Nile underscore WWE. I'm at Chris Van Fleet. Give us a follow if you haven't yet. And we'll wrap this up with a quote from Vincent Van Gogh. Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. Be great and be grateful.

Starting point is 01:17:43 We will see you on the next one for some more insight. We've got Ask CVV number 95 tomorrow, the Lightning McQueen edition. There's a lot to dive into with this. W.WE PLE's moving to ESPN. A whole recap of what happened at SummerSlam. We'll see you tomorrow on Friday to wrap up the week that was. The Hammer Alley podcast, an 80s flashback mockumentary. Back in the 80s, there were a thousand bands trying to make it in the world of rock,

Starting point is 01:18:15 but there was one band that had it all. Hammer Alley. Whatever happened to Hammer Alley? How did they go from top of the rock? I'm looking for a music video. Band from 1987, Hammer Alley. Ever heard of then? To Rock Bottom.

Starting point is 01:18:29 Dude, I was born in 1987. I can't believe he's doing this. Hammer Alley. Follow and listen on your favorite platform.

Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Ivy Nile On Her New Look, El Grande Americano, Chad Gable, American Made, Insane Workouts

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