Wrestling is Life is Wrestling with Cody Deaner

Episode 13: David Sahadi - Part 2

Cody Deaner sits down for Part 2 of his conversation with IMPACT Wrestling Creative Director for Television David Sahadi.
We learned last week that David Sahadi has done it all behind the scenes in terms of wrestling television production. He's worked for NBC Sports, WWF during the Attitude era, WWE, TNA Wrestling, Ric Flair's Last Match, and IMPACT Wrestling. They talk plenty of wrestling over the course of this two-part conversation, including:
Creating the infamous & iconic WWF Monday Night Raw opening
Developing and creating Wrestlemania packages
The production package he created that made Vince McMahon cry
Working for Vince McMahon
His father Lou Sahadi working for Vince McMahon Sr.
The "CookieGate" incident in TNA at Universal Studios involving WWE wrestlers
His mindset behind the iconic PPV commercials during the Attitude Era
and MORE!
This isn’t just a wrestling podcast… it’s a life podcast. David Sahadi drops a tonne of important life lessons he's learned in his long career behind the scenes with the most influential figures in professional wrestling, including:
The importance of being a positive influence
The many life lessons his best friend (his father Lou) taught him
How to be kind, generous, and thoughtful and still be successful in a ruthless business
How to work your way up the ladder to achieve success
What brings him true joy in his life
His plans after his career in the wrestling business is over
Follow David Sahadi and learn more about his upcoming book "My Dad, My Dying Sun" at http://instagram.com/sahadi3
Get exclusive access to next week's guest and podcast early and ad-free at http://patreon.com/codydeaner  
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
***
This episode is brought to you by: 
Rest When Dead Clothing: http://RestWhenDead.ca
MJD Ultimate Sport Training: http://mjdultimatesport.com 

Episode 12: David Sahadi Part 1

Cody Deaner sits down for Part 1 of his conversation with IMPACT Wrestling Creative Director for Television David Sahadi. David Sahadi has done it all behind the scenes in terms of wrestling television production. He's worked for NBC Sports, WWF during the Attitude era, WWE, TNA Wrestling, Ric Flair's Last Match, and IMPACT Wrestling. Sahadi is Cody's first guest on the podcast who isn't an in-ring performer. However, they talk plenty of wrestling over the course of this two-part conversation, including:
Creating the infamous & iconic WWF Monday Night Raw opening
Developing and creating Wrestlemania packages
The production package he created that made Vince McMahon cry
Working for Vince McMahon
His father Lou Sahadi working for Vince McMahon Sr.
The "CookieGate" incident in TNA at Universal Studios involving WWE wrestlers
His mindset behind the iconic PPV commercials during the Attitude Era
and MORE!
This isn’t just a wrestling podcast… it’s a life podcast. David Sahadi drops a tonne of important life lessons he's learned in his long career behind the scenes with the most influential figures in professional wrestling, including:
The importance of being a positive influence
The many life lessons his best friend (his father Lou) taught him
How to be kind, generous, and thoughtful and still be successful in a ruthless business
How to work your way up the ladder to achieve success
What brings him true joy in his life
His plans after his career in the wrestling business is over
Follow David Sahadi and learn more about his upcoming book "My Dad, My Dying Sun" at http://instagram.com/sahadi3
Get Part 2 of this podcast NOW by listening to the FULL conversation early and ad-free at http://patreon.com/codydeaner  
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
***
This episode is brought to you by: 
Rest When Dead Clothing: http://RestWhenDead.ca
MJD Ultimate Sport Training: http://mjdultimatesport.com 

Episode 11: Steve Maclin - Part 2

Cody Deaner sits down for Part 2 of his conversation with former IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Steve Maclin. This week, they take a deep dive into Maclin’s career at NXT, WWE, and IMPACT, and all the lessons he learned in that journey. Maclin discusses a variety of topics in his career including:
Skills he learned on the road in the WWE
Learning from Dusty Rhodes in promo class
Seeing NXT blow up in popularity
How generous and awesome New Day was with him in his WWE main roster debut
Trying to get a job with IMPACT during the pandemic era in front of no fans
Major praise for the IMPACT roster and backstage atmosphere
Deaner taking his spot for the big tag match with Bully Ray vs. Eric Young and Scott D’Amore at this year’s Slammiversary
Pressure he put on himself as the IMPACT World Champion
This isn’t just a wrestling podcast… it’s a life podcast. Maclin drops a tonne of important life lessons in this conversation, including:
Maintaining motivation instead of bitterness when others succeed
How to be kind and generous and still be successful in a ruthless business
Walking the line of deeply caring about your success, but also not trying too hard
Getting advice from the right people
Learning to slow down and take care of his body
What brings him true joy in his life
Relationship advice he’s learned through his marriage with Deonna Purrazzo
Furthering his education outside of the wrestling business
 
Get a BONUS story from Maclin about being on deployment and emulating some of his favorite wrestlers with his fellow servicemen, as well as loads of other exclusive content by becoming a patron at http://patreon.com/codydeaner  
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
***
This episode is brought to you by “River” – custom velvet championship belt bags. Go to http://instagram.com/codydeaner to view pics of bags and order directly through IG private message

Episode 10: Steve Maclin - Part 1

Cody Deaner sits down with former IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Steve Maclin. They discuss how he grew up as an Irish kid in Jersey, joined the Marine Corps, and eventually trained at the Monster Factory to learn the craft of professional wrestling. He talks about how the lessons he learned in the military prepared him for the wrestling business and how he earned a WWE contract only within his first year of training.
He learned many valuable lessons in the WWE Performance Center and his training, such as: don’t let success get to your head – never change, keep your mouth shut and your ears open, how to fix mistakes through proper leadership, and having patience when he and Wesley Blake didn’t get called up to the main roster in WWE while all the fresh newly signed indy talent were getting called up before them.
This isn’t just a wrestling podcast… it’s a life podcast. Maclin drops a tonne of important life lessons in this conversation, including: the importance of a supportive mom and dad, the importance of life skills being taught through mentorship, if you’re gonna do something… do it 100%, how the tragic events of 9/11 drew him to military service, the importance of just having fun vs. trying too hard, worrying about only what you can control in your situation, and the many correlations between the military and professional wrestling.
Get Part 2 and this ENTIRE conversation NOW… early and ad-free, as well as loads of other exclusive content by becoming a patron at http://patreon.com/codydeaner  
Advertise on this podcast by visiting http://codydeaner.com/podcast and filling in the form
Support this podcast by buying a t-shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner  by getting a personal Cameo at http://cameo.com/codydeaner
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast and Cody will read your review on a future episode.
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
***
This episode is brought to you by “River” – custom velvet championship belt bags. Go to http://instagram.com/codydeaner to view pics of bags and order directly through IG private message

Episode 9: Crazzy Steve - Part 3

Cody Deaner sits down for Part 3 … the dramatic conclusion of this epic trilogy with IMPACT Wrestling superstar Crazzy Steve. We left off hearing about Steve finally getting a tryout for his dream job with IMPACT Wrestling. However, it happens just as his life is in turmoil – he is moving to the UK after his mother has committed suicide. Hear how Steve navigates this experience and finally secures his dream job with TNA. He also discusses the difference between getting signed vs. staying signed, the challenge of performing in ladder matches and pole matches when you’re legally blind, his WWE tryout experience in the WWE Performance Centre (alongside Cody Deaner) after deciding to leave TNA, and coming back to IMPACT Wrestling and how his current experience in the company is different than his first run.
Steve also drops so many important life lessons while sharing his journey. He discusses betting on yourself, taking risks, what to do when taking risks doesn’t pay off, being comfortable with being uncomfortable, how to pivot and respond to adversity, taking ownership vs. placing blame, and finding a true source of joy outside your career.
Get the ENTIRE TRILOGY of this series with Crazzy Steve ad-free, as well as loads of other exclusive content by becoming a patron at http://patreon.com/codydeaner  
Advertise on this podcast by visiting http://codydeaner.com/podcast and filling in the form
Support this podcast by buying a t-shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner  by getting a personal Cameo at http://cameo.com/codydeaner
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast and Cody will read your review on his podcast.
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
***
This episode is brought to you by Sinn's Custom LJNs: http://facebook.com/sinnsljns

Episode 8: Crazzy Steve - Part 2

Cody Deaner sits down for Part 2 of this epic trilogy with IMPACT Wrestling superstar Crazzy Steve. We left off hearing about Steve's mother's beautiful advice to him regarding starting wrestling school. He'll discuss beginning wrestling school as a 120 lb blind kid and how Eric Young responded to the idea of training a blind wannabe wrestler. Steve discusses the specialized learning process of how to learn the unique craft of wrestling without the ability to see. He'll discuss his struggles on the independent wrestling scene and how getting a contract with TNA became his ultimate goal in wrestling. We end Part 2 with Steve's decision to move to the UK and the beginnings of the wild story that led to his TNA tryout.
Steve also drops so many important life lessons while sharing his journey. He discusses inspiring life lessons regarding such topics as: the importance of having a strong support system, overcoming mental obstacles vs. physical obstacles, using modification to overcome obstacles in life, having a "back up plan" vs. not having one, how to overcome fear, dealing with disappointment, the balance between an inflated ego and lacking confidence, and some very important advice for young independent wrestlers who are currently struggling.
Get the ENTIRE TRILOGY of this series with Crazzy Steve NOW - early and ad-free, as well as loads of other exclusive content by becoming a patron at http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Advertise on this podcast by visiting http://CodyDeaner.com/podcast and filling in the form
Support this podcast by buying a t-shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner or by getting a personal Cameo at http://cameo.com/codydeaner
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast and Cody will read your review on his podcast.
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
***
This episode is brought to you by Sinn's Custom LJNs: https://www.facebook.com/SinnsLJNs 

Episode 7: Crazzy Steve - Part 1

Crazzy Steve's story is an unreal one. It's a story of a skinny, awkward, artistic young kid who grew up in an extremely small town, in a trailer park, amongst a family riddled with alcoholism and mental health issues. Despite his situation, he had a big dream - he wanted to be a professional wrestler. Oh... but he had one other little obstacle in his way of accomplishing this goal... he's BLIND!
This story is so epic, it's going to be a TRILOGY. In this first-part of this three-part series with the inspiring man who overcame so much to achieve his dreams, we'll hear Steve's "origin story." We'll hear intimate details on his medical condition, how this effected him as a young boy, and how it effected him during his formative years as an outcast teenager who couldn't get a driver's license.
We'll hear how Steve has avoided developing a victim mentality, the life lessons he learned from professional wrestling as a young fan, and the true love of a mother. We'll hear exactly what advice his amazing mother gave him on the day Steve was presented with the opportunity to join wrestling school and pursue his childhood dream.
Get the ENTIRE TRILOGY of this series with Crazzy Steve NOW - early and ad-free, as well as loads of other exclusive content by becoming a patron at http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Advertise on this podcast by visiting http://CodyDeaner.com/podcast and filling in the form
Support this podcast by buying a t-shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner or by getting a personal Cameo at http://cameo.com/codydeaner
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast and Cody will read your review on his podcast.
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

Episode 6: Joe Hendry - Part 2

Cody Deaner sits down to finish his conversation with the multi-talented IMPACT Wrestling Superstar Joe Hendry.
They discuss a range of personal topics including: turning down the "secure" job in order to chase your dream, having a blind faith & plan to succeed in the "hustle," an important caveat many people forget when told to "follow your dreams," not being complacent even when you're successful, and the "why can't it be me" mindset needed for success.
They of course talk wrestling too. Joe discusses how his rock bottom moment in life led to him pursuing his dream to be a wrestler, his current goals on how to get to the next level in the wrestling business, his decision to go to the Commonwealth Games, and the personal advice that Chael Sonnen gave him before his fight with UFC fighter Robert Whittaker.
Get a special BONUS story from Joe regarding what he thinks is one of the key elements needed for success in life, as well as the early and ad-free versions of every episode at http://patreon.com/codydeaner
Advertise your business on this podcast by visiting http://CodyDeaner.com/podcast
Support this podcast by buying a t-shirt at http://prowrestlingtees.com/codydeaner or getting a Cameo at http://cameo.com/codydeaner
Book Cody for your event (wrestling appearances, motivational speeches, training seminars, & autograph signings) at http://codydeaner.com/bookings1
Book Cody for a speaking event at your school or youth event at http://www.chrisgrayspeaks.com/bookings
***
This episode is brought to you by Sinn Bodhi's Custom LJNs: http://facebook.com/SinnsLJNs