Wrestling is Life is Wrestling with Cody Deaner

Wrestling is Life is Wrestling isn’t just another wrestling podcast. It’s a life podcast. Cody Deaner sits down with successful professional wrestlers to discuss how wrestling imitates life and life imitates wrestling. And all the lessons that can be learned in between. Cody Deaner has been a professional wrestler for almost 25 years. He has travelled the world and wrestled for major companies worldwide including the WWE, TNA Wrestling, and various renowned independent companies. He has been a professional speaker for over a decade and travels across North America speaking to youth about such topics as being a positive influence in your community, developing grit & resilience, and overcoming adversity. He shares his personal story and struggles in his journey in professional wrestling to teach youth valuable life lessons. Cody Deaner can currently be seen every week on the TNA Wrestling IMPACT! Wrestling show that airs in 120 countries in over 150 million homes around the globe. He works in TNA as an on-air talent, as well as behind the scenes as a producer. Cody is bringing his years of experience in the wrestling industry and the life lessons he’s learned along the way to his podcast listeners through unique interviews with wrestling personalities where they share their own life story and life lessons with fans and soon-to-be fans alike.
Episodes
Episodes



Thursday Oct 23, 2025
"Find your moveset" - Jake O'Reilly
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Jake O'Reilly is back again! Jake has been wrestling for over 20 years. He was trained by "Showtime" Eric Young and has appeared in rings in Japan, US, Canada and all over the world. He's worked for TNA Wrestling, AEW, Rock Solid Wrestling and other major independent wrestling events worldwide.
*Disclaimer* This episode was filmed prior to an incident between Jake O'Reilly and a wrestling fan at NEO Wrestling in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
In this episode, Cody and Jake explore the idea that in professional wrestling it's important to discover who you really are in the ring and to "find your moveset." They then discuss how this idea relates to both our personal and professional lives outside the wrestling business.
Support Jake O'Reilly by following his socials:
Instagram @jakeoreilly15 - http://instagram.com/jakeoreilly15
X @IrishJake15 - http://x.com/irishjake15
Please support our sponsors at:
Rest When Dead Clothing - http://restwhendead.ca
CEO Fit Supplements - http://ceofit.ca
Support this show:
Join the Patreon: http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Buy a shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner
Subscribe to the show's YouTube page at http://youtube.com/@codydeanerpodcast
To learn more about Cody's wrestling career and to book him, visit http://CodyDeaner.com
To learn more about Cody's speaking career and to book him, visit http://ChrisGraySpeaks.com



Thursday Oct 09, 2025
"Choose Your Experience" - John Skyler
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
John Skyler is back again! Skyler is one half of the TNA Wrestling Tag Team "The Great Hands." He has wrestled for the WWE, NXT, AEW and now full-time with TNA Wrestling.
In this episode, Cody and Skyler explore the idea that in pro wrestling, you get to choose your experience. Both the experience you want... and your response to it. They then discuss how this idea relates to our lives in some insightful ways.
Support John Skyler by following his socials:
Instagram @thejohnskyler - http://instagram.com/thejohnskyler
X @TheJohnSkyler - http://x.com/thejohnskyler
Please support our sponsors at:
Rest When Dead Clothing - http://restwhendead.ca
CEO Fit Supplements - http://ceofit.ca
Support this show:
Join the Patreon: http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Buy a shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner
Subscribe to the show's YouTube page at http://youtube.com/@codydeanerpodcast
To learn more about Cody's wrestling career and to book him, visit http://CodyDeaner.com
To learn more about Cody's speaking career and to book him, visit http://ChrisGraySpeaks.com



Thursday Sep 25, 2025
"The pop at the finish matters most" - Tyler Tirva
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Tyler Tirva is a veteran Canadian professional wrestler who has wrestled for WWE, TNA Wrestling, AEW, and numerous major independent wrestling companies across North America. He's both tagged with and wrestled against Cody Deaner countless times in the past. He's also been on the show and shared his personal story and journey which is available now in the archives!
In this episode, Cody and Tyler explore the idea that in professional wrestling (and in life) ... what matters most is the "POP" at the finish. And all the steps it takes in order to make that finish matter the most.
Support Tyler Tirva by following his socials:
Instagram @tylertirva - http://instagram.com/tylertirva
X @TylerTirva - http://x.com/tylertirva
Please support our sponsors at:
Rest When Dead Clothing - http://restwhendead.ca
CEO Fit Supplements - http://ceofit.ca
Support this show:
Join the Patreon: http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Buy a shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner
Subscribe to the show's YouTube page at http://youtube.com/@codydeanerpodcast
To learn more about Cody's wrestling career and to book him, visit http://CodyDeaner.com
To learn more about Cody's speaking career and to book him, visit http://ChrisGraySpeaks.com



Thursday Sep 11, 2025
"Make them feel something" - Jake O'Reilly
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Jake O'Reilly has been wrestling for over 20 years. He was trained by "Showtime" Eric Young and has appeared in rings in Japan, US, Canada and all over the world. He's worked for TNA Wrestling, AEW, Rock Solid Wrestling and other major independent wrestling events worldwide.
*Disclaimer* This episode was filmed prior to an incident between Jake O'Reilly and a wrestling fan at NEO Wrestling in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
In this episode, Cody and Jake explore the idea that in professional wrestling it's not about the moves you do... but to make your audience FEEL something emotionally. They discuss a very dramatic feud they had many years ago that relates to this very subject, that resulted in the police being called to the venue by multiple wrestling fans! They then discuss how this idea relates to both our personal and professional lives outside the wrestling business.
Support Jake O'Reilly by following his socials:
Instagram @jakeoreilly15 - http://instagram.com/jakeoreilly15
X @IrishJake15 - http://x.com/irishjake15
Please support our sponsors at:
Rest When Dead Clothing - http://restwhendead.ca
CEO Fit Supplements - http://ceofit.ca
Support this show:
Join the Patreon: http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Buy a shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner
Subscribe to the show's YouTube page at http://youtube.com/@codydeanerpodcast
To learn more about Cody's wrestling career and to book him, visit http://CodyDeaner.com
To learn more about Cody's speaking career and to book him, visit http://ChrisGraySpeaks.com



Thursday Aug 28, 2025
"Just Get Over" - John Skyler
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
John Skyler is one half of the TNA Wrestling Tag Team "The Great Hands." He has wrestled for the WWE, NXT, AEW and now full-time with TNA Wrestling.
In this episode, Cody and Skyler explore the idea that in a professional wrestling the most important thing you can do is JUST GET OVER. They then discuss how this idea relates to our lives in some pretty unique and interesting ways.
Support John Skyler by following his socials:
Instagram @thejohnskyler - http://instagram.com/thejohnskyler
X @TheJohnSkyler - http://x.com/thejohnskyler
Please support our sponsors at:
Rest When Dead Clothing - http://restwhendead.ca
CEO Fit Supplements - http://ceofit.ca
Support this show:
Join the Patreon: http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Buy a shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner
Subscribe to the show's YouTube page at http://youtube.com/@codydeanerpodcast
To learn more about Cody's wrestling career and to book him, visit http://CodyDeaner.com
To learn more about Cody's speaking career and to book him, visit http://ChrisGraySpeaks.com



Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thelonious Jovinius Harlequin (aka TJ Harley) - Part 2
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
We’re back for Part 2 with Thelonious Jovinius Harlequin (aka TJ Harley)!
As we learned last episode, Cody and TJ have been friends for over 20 years. They first met on the Ontario independent wrestling scene in Canada many moons ago. They’ve done battles together, tagged together, and traveled up and down the roads together.
In Part 2 of their conversation, you get to continue taking a journey with them as they discuss TJ’s intriguing career and the lessons he’s learned about life along the way.
Support Thelonious Jovinius Harlequin in the following ways:
Follow @goodthelonious on Instagram – http://instagram.com/goodthelonious
Also follow these YouTube channels:
https://www.youtube.com/c/365prowrestling
https://www.youtube.com/@tjharley85
Also support Cody Deaner’s new favorite wrestler… The Home Town Man!
Get the new HTM debut t-shirt at https://tnamerch.com/collections/home-town-man/products/home-town-man-debut-shirt
And listen to his theme song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDgxtWwb-6g
This episode is brought to you Rest When Dead Clothing Company. Shop their entire collection at http://RestWhenDead.ca
This episode is also brought to you by CEO Fit. Buy all your health, fitness, and supplementary needs at http://ceofit.ca
Advertise on this podcast by visiting http://codydeaner.com/podcast and filling in the form or emailing ads@codydeaner.com
Support this podcast by buying a t-shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner by getting a personal Cameo at http://cameo.com/codydeaner
Let Cody share his love of independent wrestling with you at your wrestling event by booking him on your wrestling show at http://codydeaner.com/bookings1
Book Cody to speak at your school, youth event, or business at http://www.chrisgrayspeaks.com/bookings



Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thelonious Jovinius Harlequin (aka TJ Harley) - Part 1
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
We’re back to our old format for the next 2 episodes… today is Part 1 with Thelonious Jovinius Harlequin (aka TJ Harley)!
Cody and TJ have been friends for over 20 years. They first met on the Ontario independent wrestling scene in Canada many moons ago. They’ve done battles together, tagged together, and traveled up and down the roads together.
In this episode, you get to join them on their travels as they discuss TJ’s amazing and insightful wrestling journey and all the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Support Thelonious Jovinius Harlequin in the following ways:
Follow @goodthelonious on Instagram – http://instagram.com/goodthelonious
Also follow these YouTube channels:
https://www.youtube.com/c/365prowrestling
https://www.youtube.com/@tjharley85
Also support Cody Deaner’s new favorite wrestler… The Home Town Man!
Get the new HTM debut t-shirt at https://tnamerch.com/collections/home-town-man/products/home-town-man-debut-shirt
And listen to his theme song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDgxtWwb-6g
This episode is brought to you Rest When Dead Clothing Company. Shop their entire collection at http://RestWhenDead.ca
This episode is also brought to you by CEO Fit. Buy all your health, fitness, and supplementary needs at http://ceofit.ca
Advertise on this podcast by visiting http://codydeaner.com/podcast and filling in the form or emailing ads@codydeaner.com
Support this podcast by buying a t-shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner by getting a personal Cameo at http://cameo.com/codydeaner
Let Cody share his love of independent wrestling with you at your wrestling event by booking him on your wrestling show at http://codydeaner.com/bookings1
Book Cody to speak at your school, youth event, or business at http://www.chrisgrayspeaks.com/bookings



Thursday Jul 17, 2025
"The pop at the finish matters most" with Liam Carr
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Liam Carr is an independent professional wrestler based out of Liverpool, England. He is the youngest British wrestler to ever do a Canadian Winter Death Tour. At only 24 years old, he is also the owner of "Live Pro Wrestling" & "Infinite Promotions."
In this episode, Cody and Liam explore the idea that in a professional wrestling match, the "pop" at the finish (or end) of the match matters the most. They then discuss how this idea relates to our lives in many unique and interesting ways.
Support Liam Carr by following him on Instagram: http://instagram.com/liamcarruk
Also, follow Infinite Promotions on Instagram at http://instagram.com/infinite_promotions_uk
Please support our sponsors at:
Rest When Dead Clothing - http://restwhendead.ca
CEO Fit Supplements - http://ceofit.ca
Support this show:
Join the Patreon: http://patreon.com/codydeaner
To learn more about Cody's wrestling career and to book him, visit http://CodyDeaner.com
To learn more about Cody's speaking career and to book him, visit http://ChrisGraySpeaks.com

Wrestling is Life is Wrestling
with Cody Deaner
Wrestling is Life is Wrestling isn't just another wrestling podcast. It's a life podcast. Cody Deaner sits down with successful professional wrestlers to discuss how wrestling imitates life and life imitates wrestling. And all the lessons that can be learned in between.
To learn more about how you can support the show, visit CodyDeaner.com/podcast
To get FULL episodes, early and ad-free (as well as other EXCLUSIVE content), become a patron at patreon.com/codydeaner







