We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Xenia DidThat. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Xenia below.

Xenia, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

I’ve loved pro wrestling for over 16 years now, my love for wrestling could now independently drive! But when I was younger I was never really intending on making it into a career. Sure we all have dreams when we’re kids, but in some shape or form a lot of the time we suppress them. I got a formal education – a Bachelor’s and a Master’s – in PR, Journalism and New Media, and at one point it just clicked. I found myself thinking – hey, what if I try and put the two together and start creating pro wrestling content? That’s how I started my YouTube channel – youtube.com/@XeniaDidThat – almost 5 years ago. I started making videos about my insights in the world of wrestling, unboxings of wrestling figures and fun challenges. I was having fun, but I know I wanted more, so an opportunity rose to work with my local promotion. That opportunity was interviewing. I had never really envisioned myself as an interviewer, but I was formally trained to do broadcast interviews, so I decided to give it a go, and next thing I know – I was falling in love with interviewing. I’ll never forget my first interview – the Chikara legend, Ultramantis Black. So I slowly transitioned from challenges and unboxings to interviews and analytics, because it’s incredibly rewarding and interesting. Going from challenges filmed on my iPhone on a flimsy tripod to pro cameras, sound, lights and crew took some getting used to. When I realized I had eyes on me, and my content, and ears that were listening, that also allowed me to use my platform to share my experiences and advocate for what I believe in – inclusion in sports entertainment, women’s rights. Now, I have the creative freedom to also, in addition to wrestling, make content about food, and fashion, and document my travels.

Xenia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In the realm of pro wrestling, I cover all aspects of presenting you can think of. One of my favourite things to do and something I consider myself one of the best at is long-form, sit down interviews with talent. I call them “turnkey interviews”, as no two questions asked are ever the same, the research that goes into it is tailored to the specific talent getting featured, their background and what they believe in and stand for. My interviews help anyone who’s in the chair in front of me open up and share their unique message that they want the world to hear. I also do color commentary in two languages and backstage interviews in three languages. Ring announcing, hosting and anchoring. Pre-show/post-show/panel analytics, where I provide non-standard insights one the medium, ensuring that the show is engaging for audiences of any backgrounds. Basically anything that involves pro wrestling and a microphone – you name it – I can do it.

On the non-wrestling side of things, I make a tailored review-based product for businesses, such as restaurants, stores, hotels etc. I use influencer-marketing techniques and professional, TV-grade video materials directed by me and shot by our incredible crew to help the business reach its perfect consumer, and engage them with gorgeous visuals, relatable, human delivery and suitable video materials for each social media platform they might need to utilize.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Whenever someone asks me for advice on how to start a YouTube channel, or how to get into interviewing, or get connections in your local scene, I always tell them – just go out there and start creating. Come to your local promotions and ask them whether they need any help. Reach out to talent and creators that you want to make content with. Even if you’re getting rejected, just start making videos sharing things that you have to say or show. You only get opportunities when you put yourself out there, and if anything, you’ll have a body of work you’ll be able to present.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is, as cliche as it sounds, to change the world. I believe in gender equality, I believe in inclusion and I believe that it’s possible for the world to be a safe place for people who are different. While that’s the mission, the goal would be to do the same thing but on a scale of the world of pro wrestling. I’d love to help put more spotlight on women in the industry, help them get more recognition and tell their stories. I’d love to work with a large promotion, specifically I would love to work with All Elite Wrestling and Mr. Tony Khan to create insightful interviews and analytical content and work with the audiences, the fans, to get them on board with the beautiful change that is already happening in the industry we all love so much.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xeniadidthat.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniadidthat/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xenia-kozhevnikova-93a506160
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/xeniadidthat
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@XeniaDidThat