Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Charlotte Flair | Beyond The Ring: Ashley Fliehr Opens Up On Family, Fertility & Finding Herself!

Episode Date: August 5, 2025

#864. WWE legend Charlotte Flair (aka Ashley Fliehr) joins me for a rare and raw conversation about everything beyond the ring — from the pressure of living up to Ric Flair’s legacy, to becoming the first woman to win two Royal Rumbles, to carrying the weight of being a generational talent while building a name of her own.She opens up about how her late brother’s passing led her into wrestling, the emotional reality behind her egg-freezing journey, and why it’s taken her nearly a decade to finally ask herself: “What does Ashley want?”We get into body image, aging in the spotlight, dating, and how she’s learning to soften — even when the world expects her to be a villain.Enjoy my conversation with Ashley!!If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Dime Beauty: Go to DIMEBeautyCO.com today and get 25% off your order with code VINE.Figs: If you’re in healthcare—or shopping for someone who is—you can get 15% off your first order at wearfigs.com with the code FIGSRX. Progressive: Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance.Lady World: Come Join me for a fun weekend! Get your tickets now at LadyWorld.COEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (4:06) Breaking free from Ric Flair’s shadow — becoming a legend in her own right(9:29) How the loss of her brother led her to wrestling(18:40) The challenge of separating Ashley from Charlotte in the public eye(28:55) Opening up about her  divorce, & and her egg freezing journey(37:10) Is Ashley ready to date again? A hopeless romantic speaks her truth!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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or you wouldn't be hearing this can you hit the subscribe or follow button on whatever platform you're on please that one simple thing helps more than you even realize it allows me to keep growing on this podcast and making these episodes the best they can possibly be obviously for you that's the only favorite i'm going to ever ask okay it truly means the world to me thank you now let's get into it hey everybody welcome to off the vine i'm your host caitland bristow and today we have the queen of a wwe in the studio she is 14-time champion one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, and the daughter of the iconic Rick Flair. If you say Rick Flair and you don't say woo after, do you even know who Rick Flair is? And today I get a chance to talk to the woman

behind the robe, behind the glitter, behind the peacock feathers. Her name is Ashley. She is not Charlotte. And I think it's really important the conversation we had today because she's kind of breaking down barriers and showing a more vulnerable side to, I think, what people think, is a one dimensional character that is Charlotte Flair. So I really appreciate her vulnerability today. We talk about, you know, the pressure of turning 40 and being divorced and going through IVF and how much pressure she feels on herself and on her own body. And I just think a lot of people will relate to today's conversation. I met you so briefly. So when I came off Bachelorette, I was engaged to this guy, Sean. And we got invited to WrestleMania in Orlando.

in 2018. Wait, we got engaged in 2015. So it was 2018 that we came in April. Maybe 2017. It was 2017. It was my second WrestleMania, WrestleMania 33, Orlando Camping Ground. So I debuted 15, 16 mania. Yeah, so 2017. Okay. So 2017. And we were in, it was the night before WrestleMania. We got to come to like this gala almost. I don't remember. Our Hall of Fame. Oh, yes. Okay. You don't have more than me. carpet. And I remember being like so fan girlie over Rick Flair. And then they were like, the ladies love him. The men love him. The grandparents love him. He's just a legend. He's a freaking legend. And I was like, oh my God, Rick Fler. And then they're like, do you want to meet his

daughter? And I was like, yes. Do you have more siblings? I do have an older sister and older brother. Are they in wrestling? No. Why did you have to do that? My older brother wrestled when I was in middle school so 97, 98, 99. Yes, my sister never wrestled, but her husband is very into wrestling. Okay. Has a few different wrestling. How do I say this? He will interview the legends who've been active and tell their story through different podcasts. Got it. Okay. That's cool. I just, I'm trying to remember because I know I met you, but it was so brief and we just like shook hands and I was But I'm sure they were there. I'm sure they were there. Because it was my second WrestleMania. Yeah, because I was, I met a few of your family members. So it's probably

my dad, his wife, 2017, who was he married? No, I don't mean that. Like, I just, but yes, there's usually an entourage. Yes. But it was so funny because when we were talking about having you on the podcast, I was like, yes, I've actually met her before. Yeah. It was literally two seconds. And then the next morning at the hotel, I was at the buffet. And your dad was just walking through like a normal human being. And people were coming up to him like crazy. And it was so fresh off Bachelorette that I was in such a different world where usually people were coming up to us to get photos. And it was so fun because I was like, I actually want a photo with him.

And I went up to him and I was like, do you take photos? Like, is that okay? I was like, I know it's a lot. And you're just trying to enjoy breakfast. And he was like, ooh. Yeah. He loves it. Trust me.

Okay, good. Because I was like, oh, God. But I was doing all my research. And I was like, you have done what very few people, like, male or female, have done in wrestling. Like, you are, you are a, you your own person without your dad. You're a legend too. Thank you. Because you're a 14-time champion.

You've headlined WrestleMania. Which one did you headline? WrestleMania 35, MetLife. So that was 2019? 2019. Okay. And then you're also the first woman to ever win the Royal Rumble twice. That's cool.

Yes. Like, because you probably had to work your ass off to not just be Rick Flair's daughter in the world, in that world. Do you feel like that? Or did you have to prove yourself or were you like, no, this is a shoe in? Oh, it's definitely a double edge sword. Yeah. And it's 100% not a shoe in. Because typically, I think you have to over deliver when you're someone's kid or a generational talent. Yeah. Because I do think it is easier to have the connections to get in. But just because you get in the door doesn't mean... Yeah, because then the pressure is really on. And on top of that, my dad, you know, arguably is one of the greatest... I think he's the greatest of all time. Yes. But then also being a female in the industry, it's a lot.

Would you say it's a male-dominated space? It's male-dominated, but I'd say as of today, I don't think, I mean, any given day, women and men are considered equal now because we have main evented WrestleMania. We have main event at other PLEs. We have main evented raw smackdown. We have all the same opportunities, same amount of titles. Oh, that's cool. Do you feel like you were kind of part of proving that the women deserve to be there as much as the men? Oh, 100%. Yeah. 100%. I want to know how. What did you

do to prove yourself in that world? I definitely didn't do it alone. Yeah. It takes more than just one female to make that happen. But I think when people go back and look at the legacy of my character, Charlotte, when I first hit the scene, it wasn't that I was just good for a female. I wasn't just good

as a woman. I was just good like, you know, you could compare my male talent, like my, the male talent to me. I wasn't known for my looks. I wasn't known. Yeah, I was Rick Flair's kid, but they were like, oh, and she's a superstar. Yeah. Yeah. Like, holy cow. She can tell a

story in the ring and we forget that that's a woman wrestling or that's a female wrestling. So how I always wonder that because it's so many skills into one that people don't realize. Like you are such an athlete. You're also a performer. You're also an entertainer. You also have to have like skills of staying in character while being an athlete. Like it's a lot. It's a lot. I'm like, oh, I'm losing an eyelash, but I need to look pretty, but I need to look rough. I'm just kidding. How do you come up with it? Like, why Charlotte?

Okay. So, because your name's Ashley? My real name's Ashley. And you prefer Ashley, but when you're in character, you're Charlotte. Even in my day-to-day, most people call me Charlotte. Just because my Instagram, Charlotte, Twitter, Charlotte. No, but my family calls me Ashley. My close friends called me Ashley.

Charlotte, when I started, I gave them a list of names to the company that I liked. One was Elizabeth Reed because I loved. Queen Elizabeth and my little brother's name was Reed. And I believe I gave them Charlotte due to sex in the city and Charlotte being my favorite character, but I didn't think they would go with it. And they ended up going with it. But it was because I think my dad is billed from Charlotte, North Carolina. So I don't think in a million years, did they think Charlotte from Charlotte, North

Carolina was going to be the most decorated woman of all time. But here we are. It all worked out. So crazy. I always wondered that because I'm like, like, um, Nikki and Bree Bell of it, but that's their real name. That's their real name. Yeah.

And then, but a lot of people have different, like, show names. Different show names. Yeah. And then that's, I'm like, I want an alter ego. Do you find it hard, like, in the public eye, how people associate you as Charlotte and then you're such a different person in real life? Because, like, you have this queen energy and then you're also a queen in real life. But, like, yeah, no, yes.

What is that dynamic like? Well, it's taken 10 years to kind of figure that out. because I think when I first started, I just never turned off. Felt like I was, what I mean by turning off is I needed the experiences in my real life other than just constantly work, work, work, work. Like, you need that downtime to digest as a human. Yeah. And I felt like as much as it did, it did a lot for my career.

I think now that I'm here 10 years later, I'm like, well, what does Ashley like? Yeah. Because it's been so Charlotte focused, so Charlotte-centered. And now I'm trying to figure that out together. Yeah, because your life probably consisted, even if you weren't, you know, doing what you do now in middle school, your life still was probably consumed by that world. No, not really. My dad, it just happened to be that he was, oh, he was a wrestler. But no, I was very much involved in middle school sports, high school sports.

We traveled to my dad's shows. but it was like, oh, that's my favorite wrestler. It wasn't, we weren't really around it like that. So when did you decide that you wanted to get into it? 2012, four horseman Hall of Fame induction. My dad was a part of this group, one of the most famous factions in the 80s. And my little brother at the time, this was his dream. He wanted to be just like my dad.

He wanted to be a professional wrestler, but he was battling a drug addiction. And I had graduated college, was only personal training. at the time and I was very lost in my life too like I went to school got a degree I played volleyball the first two years quit but then found myself like super lost after college and I probably wasn't in the best place emotionally mentally and just my surroundings the people I was with yeah so when we were at the Hall of Fame one of the lead producers and my dad kept talking to read like dude you got to get on the right track. You need to do A, B, C, D, E, to get into WWE.

And I think my dad and the producer were kind of like egging read on. So they looked at me. The producer did him was like, why aren't you doing this? And I was like, huh? Like, I saw myself athletically being able to do it. Yeah. But, like, I did not see myself as a Trish Stratis or a Michelle McCool or Kelly Kelly. I mean, there's a list of women.

I'm just named like, I could not see myself as a diva. Yeah. like the makeup, the glam, the hair, like this took 10 years to become polished. And what I mean by that is like figuring out my feminine side. Yeah, yeah. Because like I loved playing sports, but that was, I did not even know what hair extensions were when I started wrestling. So Reed and I talked about it all weekend. Reed's path put me on this path because I thought, hey, if I start, if I do this, even though I don't know what I'm doing, I never had a passion for it. This isn't something I saw myself doing.

Maybe if I got in, Reed and I could do it together, and I could help him figure out his life and get sober. But at the same time, I was also running from the life that I was living because I was so lost. So I reported to FCW, which is now NXT, our third brand, I reported to WW three months later, but then re-died eight months later. Oh, my God. I'm so sorry.

Oh, no, it's okay. Oh, I'm not going to cry this one. I was hoping, okay. His ability to know what he wanted to do and have this dream and passion for professional wrestling ultimately ended up saving my life and turned my life around when really he was the one that needed it. Yeah. Wow. Yeah, it's really how I started. There's no other. Wow, that's powerful. Yeah.

that's I mean that's special too because you're like never saw me Russell but but he does no he does but I'm saying like I know what you mean but you're like almost carrying out his legacy and then found your own passion through it and now 10 years later I think what's hard for me to even to this day because it has been 10 years since I debuted this month wow wow yeah um I don't know how I got here like it It went by so fast and it was a struggle every day, like, especially when Reed first died. Like, I put his death in a drawer and closed it. And I was like, all right, I'm going to wrestle. And then I met this incredibly talented group of women who were like, oh, we're going to change the game. We're going to main event mania. We're going to do all these things that women had never done before. And I just happened to be a part of it.

And at the same time was excelling at it, even though internally I was like, oh, I'm scared of my own shadow. Yeah. So then I built this character who was able to take the criticism, whether it was being Rick's daughter or my looks, you know, not being diva enough or how many times I've been divorced. Like those fans are passionate about you guys. Oh, they're passionate. Yeah.

Yeah. So I can only imagine. Yeah. They're the heartbeat of what we do. Yeah. So for as, you know, as many haters, I can honestly say like, I'm so grateful. The fans, and I'm sure the ones that love you just probably adore you. They do.

And the haters you need in that world, too. They're part of the passion. If no one's talking, you've got a problem. And they get into it. Yeah. So I love everyone. Good, bad. I love my haters.

I really love my fans are like, I really say that the WWE fandom is the most passionate group of people from sports to entertainment to they really love us. That was the first thing I noticed when I went to the WrestleMania in 2017. as I was like, these, you, I always thought Bachelor Nation was, like, if you put Bachelor Nation in a room like that and had like two of us fighting, I feel like they'd be just as passionate, but I'm like, these fans are so committed to the bid, they're loyal, they are like, they know what gear, what day, what robe, this makeup, I had this for lunch, or I was listening to that music on my workout. Whoa. They're, yeah, they're very loyal.

They care. But that's, yeah, that's a lot that goes into it and a lot. that you've been through in your own life that's going to like, you know, like I can only imagine the, I like to compartmentalize things with emotions and put things in a drawer and then be able to, like even right now yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. And today I'm like, okay, today we focus on this and we put that in a drawer. And but it's, it's a good thing and a bad thing because it kind of like I do a lot of therapy. So it's good because I open that drawer then and bring it all out. But when you're trying, yeah, me too. When you're trying to discover like, you know, the trauma that you've been through into who you are as a person.

I really do feel like that also comes with age and experience. And, you know, like, I hope you're not hard on yourself for doing it that way because I feel like most people do. Well, wrestling was the best outlet. Like, I was able to take the emotions and the anger or the guilt or the frustration or the sadness and use that in certain moments throughout my career or certain storylines or, like, feeling how to get there emotionally in. matches. But I think I needed more of an, like, I just couldn't put that all into Charlotte and I

did instead of, you know, owning, okay, digesting it, deal with it. But it all, like you said, as we get older, you know, but yeah, I wish I knew now. I wish I knew when I was 30 what I know now. But me too. Here we are. Same. Yeah, I just, I'm such a believer in like every phase of your life is for a reason. And like this, it's just so. like you wouldn't have you wouldn't be where you were at without all of it and I know you that I know you know that I am disappointed in myself but I know you know no one can be me and that's my superpower yes and I have to own that and be okay with it we're not perfect and we only get one life yeah it's not we all go somewhere at you know what I'm like yeah I can go deep into that if you want to but it's it's I totally understand and believe like I could go and be disappointed with certain things that I've done in my life too, but then I'm like, but I wouldn't even be sitting here right now if I didn't. And I know that's so cliche and all of that, but it's so true. But it's really that basic. But I want to go back and shake that, Caitlin, and say that to her. We do. You know, like,

Ashley. Yeah. Get together. I know. I know. That's, I mean, it's just part of, you, I was talking earlier about, like, the separation of, like, you know, you figuring out who you are as Ashley and, like, having your character and everything, but you, what was the piece you wrote in, what is it, the Players Tribune? Yeah, yeah. About how the public also struggles to separate Charlotte from Ashley. Like, do you find that online? Is it like the online people or like?

Online and maybe sometimes myself too, because Charlotte Flair, if how I'm built, I'm Charlotte Flair. I'm the daughter of Rick Flair. He's the 16 time. I'm the 14 time. And knowing even that element. and bringing that to TV, they automatically think

that everything is already Charlotte. Because of my last name, it's really just that simple. I don't know if it's even deeper than that. It's just because real life situations have played out in storylines, and that's like the beauty of wrestling. We always are, what's the word,

teetering between what's real and what's fake. Yeah. So I've been a bad guy most of my career. Yeah. So arrogant. cocky, think she's better than everyone, has had a lot of opportunities. But in that same breath, they think the opportunities are because my dad's Rick Flair, not because, you know, I changed the game for women.

Or I was the inaugural raw women's champion or main event, Hellenicel, main event, WrestleMania, main event raw. I mean, like, all the accolades that I have been able to achieve throughout the years, I think people don't know how to take the bad guy out of Ashley. Yeah. Because Charlotte has been just such a staple as a bad guy for so long. Yeah. So how do you deal with that?

Like in crowds, in real life, in, like in every way? Crowds and, well, sometimes crowds. Every city is different. Like, one city can boo you, one city can cheer you. It really just depends. But I think it's the online hate. Yeah. So I've never had someone yell something nasty to me.

Like when we pull up in the parking lot or at a signing, no, never. I've had nasty things yelled at me during matches, but I've just used that as fuel to like amp up water. Yeah, like amp up the scenario in the match. But really it's just the online perception and hate that I think sometimes, and I'm getting better, it's like, what does my body have to do with my like body of work? Yeah. Like you've guys seen me grow up.

Yeah. from 28 to 39. Yeah. So I think that's where I struggle mostly as a woman. It's like, well, we're not critiquing how this top guy looks or this suit. Like, why did I just put on a great match, but we're talking about what I look like? It's perpetuated misogyny at its finest. But I only think I struggle, because I don't think I really shouldn't because I'm like, oh, I would never go on someone's page and be like, hey, you look like this today.

Yeah. But I have to, I really, and myself just have to go, why do you, like, why do you care? Well, like, I get it, but no, like, that really is the reality of it. Yeah. Like, someone putting you down on a keyboard. Yeah. It's just like, like, really think about that. No, it's, it's sad.

I have to, like, I think it's just hard as a woman and getting older and feeling what I, what I have gone through privately that I've kept what I think, you know, under control and not letting people see how you know certain things that have have hurt me over the years because you know charlotte's you know untouchable right and ashley but because i made charlotte so untouchable i think she's became unrelatable because i would take all the rick flair's daughter not good enough oh you know she looks like her dad in a wig like i would take all those things and just create this shell of this woman that like I don't know I love my character but I do think I at professionally I would also like to make Charlotte relatable and in doing that I have to

let down the wall of what I've had in my personal life okay and you want to do that and I want to do that yeah and is that something you never really thought about it's not exposing but like opening that door to let I didn't know how to because I felt like oh I have to prove myself every night. But it was like my own chip on my, it was the chip I had on my shoulder. So what do you want people to know? Like what is it? How are we going to? Because I love this. Well, Charlotte's legacy is set. Like totally. Totally set. Yes. That's like, I do still care. Like people ask me, what left is there to do? I'm like, I don't know. We'll see in six years. Like, I love it. Like, I love the business. I really do love it. And do you think the business can change of it where you are able to let?

a guard down and let the fans see in? That's on me. That's totally on me. But the whole industry wouldn't like be like, no, don't do that. Like you're allowed to change your character. Well, no, you're in certain storylines. Yeah. But I have made like the elaborate robes, the sparkle, the

peacock feathers, the boas, like I have made that all Charlotte. So they've only seen that for so long. So I'm not good would change. So I'm going to have to figure out what that looks like to help Charlotte be seen in a different light other than the 510 athletic blonde who wins everything right because

that's really what i've done for the last 10 years right well i'm like well podcasting is a good start no but i just started doing like it's been great opening up but it's still like you find it hard to open up i have been in the last like year and then that piece the players tribune piece yeah that definitely was like hey guys i'm human yeah i struggle this is hard for me i do bleed what was the feedback from that. I think the ageism part in it and a lot of women reached out to me privately and we're like, you have such a platform for us. Thank you for saying that. Yeah. Because I'm not a controversial person. I don't like to blur the lines. And even though I've done a lot of incredible things and it takes women who do stand up for themselves, stand up for what they believe. But I've been

able to do all that in the squared circle. So even if like what I go through person, helps anyone, even a little bit, whether it's divorce or, you know, I'm not going to say, but the body shaming has really affected me over the years. Yeah. I hope someone, even men, take just a little piece of that. And they did. Like, men and women both have reached out to me and just like, oh, like, that was so vulnerable. And they don't see Charlotte or me vulnerable.

Right. And I think it's so, I think people see, you know, they look for what they want. want to take out of people and they look for what they hate in themselves and other people. And that's where online becomes so dangerous is because it can be such a beautiful, vulnerable place for people to share. And then it also can be this awful place where they don't know how to navigate their own feelings. So they take it out on you. Wait, so going back to how people separate Charlotte and Ashley. Yeah. Because my career has kind of been paralleled with my dad in terms of the flamboyancy and the character,

but also like he's been divorced a lot of times. So when I've had trouble in my relationships, it's been lumped into his and I'm like, whoa, my dad and I are two completely different people. Like, we might be, you know, as performers, great bad guys, or like we like expensive things or the boats, the jets. I'm not like his character at all, and especially not in real life.

Yeah. Like, that's why my dad is Rick Flair. Like, what you see is what you get through and through. Really? Like, he is always, like, Rick Flair on screen, Rick Flair in his personal life. I don't think I'm as, like, as much as I want to be my, that indestructible woman who doesn't care, I do need to get to that in my personal life. I love what you're doing because I do think you have an important, not responsibility, but platform to inspire so many women. And you're already doing that.

But by being vulnerable now and showing enough. other side is very admirable because for women we do feel like a career wise, especially when it depends on your body, your looks, this, it feels like the clock runs out faster. And like you said, like 40-year-old men are just getting started where 40-year-old women feel like they're at their best. They're thriving. thriving. And I, but they should be.

I'm not like this isn't like and they should be. Like I love the business. I love the guys I look up to. I wish I could wrestle with them. Right. Yeah. No, this is not to like hate. It's just like,

this is not to hate. It's just the, but this isn't a wrestling thing. This is a society thing. That's what I was going to ask. This has nothing to do with wrestling. Yeah. It's just the last two years because I am getting older and I've seen it in our industry.

Like you also see this in entertainment. Yeah. Oh. And you've seen women now starting. Okay, well, now I'm a producer, producing movies or they are making roles for women who are in their 40s, 50s. I'm like, well, well that shouldn't even have to be like I think about this all the time why is that even a label I think

about it all the time but that's why it's cool what you're doing because you do have so many people that follow you and look up to you and I know you said that you want to play out your career not age out of it yes which I feel like that hit me deep because I'm like I I think I know in my own body and my mind and my soul that like I can do whatever at whatever age but it's what I've seen on the outside that makes me feel like wait can I yeah no like I can't I yeah no I like Something like, which I hate. I hate that I'm like questioning not, not all the time, but I'm like, wait, should I just be grateful for what I've done and like, thank you so much.

I'm so happy to be here. I know. No. I'm not happy. Like, but why? Because it's this like she's 40. She should be sitting at home. No, I know.

And not like we do have women that are, you know, early 40s. I'm not saying we don't, but I'm just saying the pressure that you feel. The pressure that I feel and what that looks like. And what we've been made to believe. I mean, yes, and what we need to believe. That's why I'm like, keep doing what you're doing because I want to look up to someone like that. Even though I'm a year older than you, I still want to look up to somebody that's doing that and talking about it and proving people wrong, you know, because I'm like, I've never felt stronger. I've never felt better.

I've never felt more me at 40. So we can do that too. No, that's a lot. Yeah, me too. And you're just, it's how many women do we hear say 40s are even better in them 50s? Look at Demi Moore recently. What she's gone. Yes.

Killing it. Killing it. I love her so much. Demi Moore and I love Jennifer Aniston. She talks openly about stuff like that. And I don't know. It's just I feel like. Reese Witherspoon is a badass, even though she's like the sweet little blonde southern

I know. She's also a badass. But I think she has spoken about this too in the industry, correct? Yes. She said something about, was it her that said you're going to notice it now in every movie where they say the women are always like, but what do we do now? And they're always this helpless. Yeah, that's what it was her. Yes. And it's, again, it goes back to playing a character and who you are in your life and you can do both. Reese Witherspoon can speak out like a badass and be

like, no, and she can also be the Southern Bell, sweetheart, and play these roles in the movies. You know what I mean? Yeah. You can do both and you are. And it sounds like you really want to. And I think that can change the whole game too. I do. Yeah. But it's just figuring out how to, I do want kids and what that looks like and how to do that. But I'm not going to put, I spent the entire year worried about it. Because it's for us as women, it's time, time. There's a clock. There's a clock. There's a clock on your career. There's a clock on having kids. There's a clock. I'm like, no, it's going to be on my time. And there's so many opportunities now. Like, if I want to adopt, I'm going to adopt. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm not going to worry about how it's going to happen.

It's just like, I know I want to be a mother. I know I want to raise children. And if I have to do it alone, then so be it like I've done most of this alone I'm with you I froze my eggs when I was 32 and I've often thought like if I'm going to have to do it alone I'm going to do it alone like I know what I want I feel like the world is slowly but surely changing into like see I'm so that's what I will say I wish I knew that was a thing yeah I'm very I didn't I'm lucky because one of my girlfriends was a fertility nurse and she educated me and and she she basically was like you're doing this and at the time I was so scared I don't know why I was scared but now I look back and I'm really glad I did it but at the same time because you're going through IVF are you doing

it now or you did it no no no I went through just the egg freezing process okay but I was going to do embryos IVF yes I was going but the stress from I just toward my knee and then halfway through it I was like oh this relationship that this is I mean I have fought for this marriage for so long so then as I filed for divorce I kept going okay I'll still get I'll still have embryos ready I just didn't have the egg quality oh that's so hard too a lot of my girlfriends have done the same thing and then I only know from my personal experience what the egg freezing journey was like and that alone was really difficult and I honestly do think a part of it was me not being stressed I was like oh cool let's go in and do this and I'm 32 and like no stress I just feel like

stress on the body is so hard. And like as a training athlete in like a point in your career where you're like, how do I make a change and how do I figure out what? And like everything going through a divorce. Well, it was just everything at once. It was that the divorce. And then yeah, my body was just in like probably shock. All right. Big news. Beauty lovers. Dime, our favorite clean beauty brand is turning seven. And to celebrate seven years of skin care that actually works, they're giving you 25% off your order with code celebrate. So, Whether you're already obsessed with the viral seven summers perfume, swear by the tinted wonder screen, like I do, or even eyeing their new nourishing cleansing oil, well, now's the time to stock up.

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So what, how did you cope? I just kind of closed myself off from everyone. Except for my assistant, Brian, was there with me most of the time. I didn't. I just shut down because I wanted to keep my divorce a secret. I didn't want to be embarrassed. I didn't want to feel like a failure. I didn't want to.

admit that we were getting divorced and we're in the same company. Yeah. So not lying to everyone, but like no one knew what was going on. Yeah. And then dealing with my trainers for my knee, but them, they were so great. But knowing that like, hey, I'm two weeks in, two weeks out. I can't do A, B, C. And then every time we'd go, it's like, you get the ultrasound, you get the ultrasound.

You get the ultrasound. Okay, you're doing great. You're doing great. You know, we have you where we need you. and then retrieval. And it's like, well, none of these have quality. And then I just kept doing it and doing it. Yeah.

Because I'm like, oh, I got one shot. Yeah. Now I don't have someone who I'm going to be with. And what I think there's a lot of women who also can relate to this and unfortunately share the same struggles. Like, what do you think you learned from it or what advice could you give people going through the same thing? So in one of the ultrasound offices, the girl that does my extensions, I ran into her. And I was like, oh, we really are all going through this together. Like some way, like some shape or form, you know, a lot of women go through this.

We just don't talk about it. It's just not as open. Yeah. And then for me, when I started, I had no idea how much went into it. Yeah. Like I had never given myself an injection before. Right. That was really scary.

So that took time. Well, and what you're injecting makes you feel differently. I think I was just like so focused that I kept saying it didn't make me feel differently. But it might have made me feel differently. Oh, it made me feel differently. So, yeah. Because I was also, like, working out as much as I could through most of it when a lot of the girls that I had spoken to were like, oh, we did absolutely nothing.

And I'm like, well, I can't do nothing because I'm month, you know, whatever on my rehab. Yeah, yeah. But what I learned most is what's meant to be is meant to be. So even though the whole year, like, you know, it's a very expensive process. Yeah, it is. there is a lot that goes into it and, you know, all the doctor visits and you aren't in control of your body. So it's, hey, maybe it didn't work this year because it wasn't supposed to work this year. Right. Yeah. That's a hard, um, hard truth to accept, but it's all

you can do. Yeah. So I'm so grateful and blessed and happy where I am today, even though I wish a lot of those things didn't happen. Yeah. Over the last 39 years. But, but I know whatever is meant for me, well, I just can't dwell on it. That's my favorite thought is what's meant for you won't miss you. It just won't. I just know I would like to be a mom. That's what that's, but maybe I wasn't, you know, the universe was protecting me in that year. Yeah.

So, yes. Like, what if I had gone through, like, the plan with the IV? Like, what if we did get to that step? Right. But then I'm like six months into a divorce. So there was a reason everything wasn't working. Yeah, no, I. I fully with my whole body believe that.

Are you open to dating again? Or are you like, hard no for me right now. I'm focusing on me. Oh, I'm a hopeless romantic. You are? Oh, good. I love love. Oh, good.

No, I just haven't. I haven't, I'm not in anything serious. Yeah, yeah. No. Dating's an option, obviously. Dating is an option. Oh, that's fun. That's, I love that you love, and that you can still look at love like that.

I don't know. Yeah, I just love. I'm apparently. I go through phases where I'm like, I hate love. Love is stupid. I have to change and redefine what love is. We don't, no, that's not love, honey. Yeah, that's as cheesy as this book sounds to everybody because it's been talked

about so much, the five love languages. Oh, it's great. It's actually, I now have it on audio and I listen to it again for like the fifth time. And I just keep going, it's actually such a good book. It's not just like about the five love languages. it's like the whole beginning of the book talks about the first two years of what you think is love and how it's like everybody is just on this dopamine hit this like feeling of okay that's not actually love this is obsession this is lust this is not healthy but we think that's what it is but love

but love actually becomes a choice after two years and it's if you want to love this person it's like how you love them choosing to love them and and that's where probably redefining what love is is when past the honeymoon phase because I wait this is the bare minimum right yeah you're like wait a second I've been bamboozled yeah that's it's so what do you look for now in relationships that you're like wow I would have never thought about this before like for me I haven't but I haven't been in capacity to be like oh I'm looking for this or not this got it but I think moving forward with any, any person or like any guy that I do date, what they do and say has to align. I think that's my biggest takeaway or what I will like look for is not necessarily highs and lows,

but like, no, their actions match up with their words. That's pretty good one. That to me, that's the. Yeah, that's a pretty good one. Alignment of just bare minimum. Yeah, yeah. I always say I'm like, the bar is in. No. Let's do the bare minimum place. What is bringing you joy right now outside of relationships?

Like you personally, what brings you joy? Even with work, like getting the freedom to focus so much on reinventing Charlotte, like I've had more time to prepare for my outfits, my gears, getting time. I don't have to stress like, okay, I need a whole day with my assistant to work on these things and feeling the pressure of like, oh, I have to divide my time. I've been horseback riding. I've signed up for dance classes. Like doing just little things. I have a full-time trainer. I have a full-time PT guy for my knee. Like just doing what I love without worrying about anything else. Yeah.

Yeah. Like it's amazing. It's just all about, and that sounds so selfish. But the best thing for me, for just not in any other aspect of my life, but just being selfish with what I need. mentally, physically, emotionally. You should be selfish right now. That's what's been like nice.

Selfish doesn't have to be a bad word. It's only going to make you a better person to show up better in every aspect of your life, including when you get into another relationship. You know, you're only, you're going to be so happy you took this time for you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. To make yourself a better person. I think that's great. This episode of Off the Vine is brought to you by Progressive Insurance.

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That's ladyworld, L-A-D-Y-World.C-O. But hurry up because they are really going fast. Lady World presented by Elf Cosmetics takes over Destin this September. And then my last question is, what would you want people to know about you where you're like, because, you know, you do get confused with the duality of Charlotte and Ashley or like, what do you want people to know this version of you that they've never seen before? Oh, I don't know. Well, you know that would be a good place to start. You say you got into dance classes. We got to get you on dancing with the stars.

Yes. Because they do a really great job of storytelling about a person, too. And that's something that I love about that show is it's not just about the dancing. They really like crack you open and you share like a life story of like you're dancing to like why. Oh, I just got goosebumps. You're dancing to like why this happened in your life and you're sharing a story. And that's dance is like so powerful to me because it's always an expression, a story. That's what I feel about wrestling.

Yeah, it's an expression. It's a, it's a dance. And it's a dance. You're right. It really is. But I actually do really. I'm not good at it. but I really do love dancing.

What kind of dance classes are you taking? A salsa. Yeah. But I still want to take just for the workout of it. I have to do this. A, um, the pole dancing class. Yes.

I've taken. Just for the workout of it. It's hard, right? It's so hard. It's so hard. And it's also so empowering. Like humbling yet empowering. Oh, I'm sure it's going to be humbling.

It's very humbling. Um, but like you feel sexy. Yeah. Just feel that's what's been like I, I, even though I'm the oldest I've ever been. I probably feel like the sexiest I've ever been. Same. I always thought, you know, we're the first generation that, like, I think is starting to feel sexy in this time because I picture my mom at 40, she's like, the golden girls.

The golden girls. She was wearing like high-waisted, like, pleaded pants and like a flower blouse and like doing her. And I'm like, what? That is not like, I mean, if people are out there wearing that great, I'm not going to yuck your yum. But I, like, I'm like out here being like. Like, no, I still, like, I remember somebody saying to me online, when are you going to stop wearing crop tops? And I went, never. Oh, like, never. I just started wearing crop. I'm excited. No. Yeah. I love a crop top. And I just think like, yeah, we were so in our heads about what we saw as the golden girls in 40s in their 40s where it's like, we get to change that. We get to be who we want to be in our 40s. And we can. Crop tops for life. Crop tops for fucking life. You're so beautiful and strong.

And I'm really loving that you're wanting to, like, show this vulnerable side while being this badass at the same time. It's really... But I'm trying to... I'm trying, like, I was in my masculine for so long, which I know you understand what I'm saying. This is, like, the first time this year, like, feeling sexy, working, like, do, just, you know, the outfits, the glam, the makeup. Like, I do like all this. I just never put all my energy. I was always worried about something else or, you know, just not...

I'm excited for you. Yeah. I'm excited. Wait, if there's one thing that I think people should know about me, what should it be? Like, I do have emotions. I know I don't look like on TV because I'm a stone cold bitch. Ice queen, but I do have feelings. Yeah, I think that's. But I do have, I think I have to bring that figure out how to like, I really made Charlotte like, oh, you think I'm that? Yeah, I am that. Like I know how to like turn that on. Yeah. Very fast. Yeah. But that's just a wall. Yeah. But all characters need to like. that's where I'm like really focused because I do love the business so much I do I really do think the best is yet to come even though I've done so many incredible things but even if it's just like the fan seeing Charlotte in a different light whether it's not winning or breaking her father's record or main eventing again it's just like to know that I wasn't scared to try it yeah yeah no I think that's brave and right and I just love the business I really do and it really is a business I think people forget that And you are your own business, though. Charlotte's character would not be where she is today had I not cared that much. Yeah. I do care that much about the legacy and what I've done and bring to the table.

No, I think that's something that's very, I think it's obvious like you. In the best way. Like, it really is. What's coming up? That's exciting. So the biggest party of the summer, SummerSlam, August, second and third, MetLife Stadium. Where's MetLife Stadium? New Jersey.

New Jersey. Yeah, yeah. Yes. But thank you. I'm excited for the summer. next chapter for you. I think you're, yeah, I think like you said, the best is yet to come. And even sometimes when we don't believe it, we still got to say it because it's, we are capable. Just say it. Yeah. And it's true. Thank you. And tell everybody where they can find you.

Thanks guys for listening. You can find me on my Instagram at Charlotte WWE. And Charlotte, WWE, no spaces. And then Twitter is Miss Charlotte, WWM S Charlotte, Charlotte. Amazing. Thank you so much. Thank you. Just when you thought summer couldn't get any hotter, Pluto TV is turning up the heat with thousands of free movies. Presenting Summer of Cinema. Stream your favorite blockbuster films like Gladiator.

I will have my vengeance. Good Burger. This is what I call fast feet. Beverly Hills Cop, the girl with a dragon tattoo, and Julian. Julia all for free on your favorite devices Pluto TV stream now pay never hi guys my name is hayden and a lot of you have been asking me to start a podcast okay I'm totally kidding nobody asked me to start a podcast the world did absolutely not need another podcast but I wanted to because there's no

place on the internet where I can yap for 30 to 45 minutes straight with my best friends you guys and just shoot the shit talk about all of my favorite things like social media, pop culture, reality TV, influencers. We all know I love a good influencer. And that's what you can expect from my new podcast. A lot of you have been asking. This is a space for some real conversations with some of my favorite creators, reality stars, maybe even a celebrity or two if they answer my DM. This is all about the world behind the curtain that I really want to share with you guys. Allow me to ask the questions that you've been dying to know the answers to. And allow me to tell my guests that a lot of you have been asking.

You guys can listen to, follow, rate and review. A lot of you have been asking with me, Hayden Cohen, wherever you get podcasts.