Page 26 - Real Style Holiday 2018

Stratus-Fied
ing, especially when you ask her who inspires her. “My mom has always been my biggest inspiration,” Stratus says. “She did so much for our family and has battled through so many things in her life and always remained strong. She is the woman and the mother I set out to become.”
As successful as Stratus is in her other ventures, things have recently come back to wrestling for her. Earlier this year she returned to the ring for the first time in seven years to participate in the first ever women’s Royal Rumble, and then on October 28th she teamed with long-time friend (and multiple-time opponent) Lita to take on the team of Alicia Fox and
Mickie James for the highly promoted first all-women’s WWE Pay Per View Evolu- tion. In both, Stratus looked like she hadn’t missed a beat, something she attributes to the way she lives.
“I live a healthy lifestyle,” Stratus says, “I eat clean, do yoga daily—the only thing that was missing was the ring training. When they called to invite me to be a part of the Royal Rumble, I had one month to prepare. I hit that ring hard, mostly because even I was unsure if I could still deliver after sev- en years out of the ring, plus having birthed two children—this was a different body! I am happy to say I discovered wrestling is like riding a bike for us veterans—it all came back quickly and thankfully my body seemed to remember exactly what to do. The training is definitely tougher now than it was back in the day as I am juggling running my business, my household and two children. But it is all worth it just to be a part of his- tory,” she says.
While a rigorous career in wrestling may not be for everyone, Stratus herself would never discourage anyone from it. Not even her children. “I would never discourage Madi from pursuing her dream (or Max for that matter!). Wrestling can be a very reward- ing career. You get to travel and perform all
around the world, you have the unique ability to be an athlete and an entertainer at the same time. It’s pretty cool knowing that only a handful of people can do what we do in the ring. You never know, sec- ond generation Stratusfaction could be coming! As far as women in general, I think it is amazing that we are at a place where a career in wrestling is a viable option—it certainly wasn’t when I started. Would I recommend it? If any of the above sounds appeal- ing, and you don’t mind a few bumps and bruises, I’d say check this out. Now is a good time to be proud to be able to fight like a girl!”
26 Real Style Holiday 2018
PHOTOS, LEFT: © 2018 WWE, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, RIGHT: DAVID LAUS