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

Hi Ava, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?
I learned by throwing myself into the world of pro wrestling headfirst. I trained hard, watched tape nonstop, asked questions, studied the greats—and then I got in the ring and failed a few times. That’s how you learn in this business. You take the bumps, you listen to your coaches, and you never stop evolving. Every match, every crowd, every moment was part of the process.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
Honestly? I would’ve trusted myself more. I spent too much time doubting if I belonged or if I was “ready.” If I had just believed in my instincts earlier and not been afraid to make bold choices, I probably would’ve grown faster. Confidence and self-belief are underrated tools in wrestling—and they can be the difference between surviving and thriving.

What skills do you think were most essential?
Ring awareness, timing, and storytelling—those are everything. You can hit a thousand moves, but if you can’t make people feel something, you’re just flipping around. Also, being coachable. Being willing to listen, learn, and adapt is what sets pros apart.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The mental side. Imposter syndrome. The pressure to be perfect right away. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially when you’re young or new, and that can get in your head fast. Plus, real-life stuff doesn’t stop just because you’re chasing a dream. Balancing training, travel, recovery, and personal life is tough. But every setback taught me something—and I use all of it in the ring now.

Ava, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Ava Brooks, and I’m a professional wrestler based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I entered the wrestling world in 2024 and have been actively competing across the U.S. ever since. Wrestling has always been something that pulled me in—it combined athleticism, creativity, and storytelling in a way that nothing else does. Once I started training, I knew I had found the thing I was meant to do.

What I do now is perform as an in-ring competitor, traveling to different promotions and events to put on matches that connect with audiences and push the boundaries of what’s expected from young talent. I’ve been fortunate to work with organizations like RWA, Ryse, AIWF, and more, and I became the youngest AIWF Women’s World Champion—a milestone I’m especially proud of.

What sets me apart is my ability to adapt. Whether I’m wrestling someone with years of experience or someone just starting out, I bring intensity, drive, and professionalism to every match. I care deeply about learning, growing, and showing people that passion and preparation go hand in hand.

I think wrestling fans, potential collaborators, and even promoters should know that I take this seriously. I’m constantly working to improve—not just in-ring, but also with media, branding, and community presence. I want my work to speak for itself, but I also hope people see how much heart goes into it. My goal is to be someone who not only builds a lasting career in this industry but also helps shape a more inclusive and inspiring space for the next generation of wrestlers.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One moment that really tested—and proved—my resilience came early in my career, when I had a string of matches that didn’t go the way I hoped. I was new, still finding my footing, and trying to keep up with people who had years of experience over me. I remember one match in particular where nothing felt right. I got in my head, I felt like I had let everyone down, and afterward, I seriously questioned if I belonged in this business at all.

But the thing about wrestling is, it doesn’t give you time to sit in your feelings. I had another match coming up the next weekend. I had two choices: let the doubt define me or use it as fuel. I chose the second.

Instead of backing off, I doubled down. I asked for feedback even when it was hard to hear, watched tape, and reminded myself why I started. I kept showing up. And little by little, it started to click.

Months later, I found myself in a championship match—not just in it, but winning it. Not because everything was perfect from the start, but because I refused to give up on myself when it wasn’t.

That moment taught me that resilience isn’t about always having it together—it’s about choosing to get back up, even when no one’s watching. And in wrestling, that mindset is everything.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that I needed to earn permission to take up space in this industry.

When I first started training and taking bookings, I felt like I had to shrink myself—like I had to wait for someone to tell me I was “ready” or that I’d “earned” my spot before I could speak up, be confident, or go after big opportunities. I didn’t want to seem like I was doing too much too soon or make anyone uncomfortable by being too ambitious.

But over time, I realized that mindset was holding me back more than anything else. The truth is, no one’s going to hand you permission in wrestling. If you wait for everyone to be okay with your success before you step into it, you’ll never move. I had to unlearn the idea that I needed to stay quiet until someone validated me.

What changed that for me was a stretch of matches where I really started trusting my instincts—where I stopped second-guessing and started wrestling with confidence. The feedback shifted. I was no longer just “doing well for a newcomer,” I was showing up like I belonged. That shift didn’t come from someone else—it came from finally giving myself permission to be fully in it.

Unlearning that need for outside validation was freeing. It reminded me that I don’t need to wait to be great—I just need to keep working, stay grounded, and own my place.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @officialavabrooks
• Facebook: Ava Brooks – like page
• Twitter: @_AvaBrooks_
• Youtube: officialavabrooks
• Other: Tiktok: @official_avabrooks

Image Credits

Robin Potter

Lacey Alaynna

Briz media

Phyniox photography