We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Becky Beech a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Becky, appreciate you 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.

I started training to wrestle in 2021. I believe one of the safest ways to get into this is to find a reputable school and attend it regularly. There is always something more to learn in wrestling. From honing the basics to the art and psychology of it. Finding a school helps you find a community. It teaches you not only how to do this safely but also the rituals of the business, of which there are many!

In terms of “being ready to start”, I hear this all the time especially from women who want to begin and I tell them the same thing, just do it. You will never be ready to start, no amount of gym training will get you ready for the school. The craft is about confidence in your body and pushing through the discomfort. A regular fitness regime will always help but if you’re waiting to get to a level of fitness to begin? Just get in there. If I knew what I know now, I may have started flexibility training and global stability training sooner to help with some of the initial skills.

There is a discomfort in trying something new as an adult, wrestling is unlike anything else you will have ever done so it’s unlikely your body will naturally know what to do. The closest I can describe it as is gymnastics but even then it’s not an exact match. So as far as essential skills to learn the craft the best thing you can bring is a willingness to learn, to listen and to build practice a skill over and over again. Commitment is important, make sure you have made time to review what you’ve learned each week and have time to practice it in between classes.

For me, the biggest obstacle that stood in the way of my progress was me, my envy of others who I saw as progressing more quickly than I was, my insecurity of being an older woman joining the world. All of these things led to a slower progression and a lot of missteps along the way, if I got in my head at training I wouldn’t be able to continue training that day and so I fell further behind. When I finally learned that the battle was always within myself, to be better than I was the last time I stepped in the ring I started progressing every day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Becky Beech. I am here to participate in any way I can! I am a Professional wrestler in the Pacific Northwest. Debuting in 2022 I am a mainstay in 365 Pro Wrestling BC. Equally comfortable wrestling men and women in the squared circle, I can be found anywhere a belt, or a participation ribbon may be earned.

My philosophy in life is inclusion and belonging. I work constantly to create spaces where all people are included and valued for their contributions. In wrestling, that looks like creating a welcoming space for other wrestlers, fans and volunteers. I value open communication and authentic connection. Whether I’m in the ring or behind the bar at the event you can know I am there to create a safe space for you.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

This will sound hokey, but it’s true. I started wrestling so a little kid who looked and felt like I did when I was little could see someone like her doing something cool. I grew up in a time where you didn’t see anyone above a size 6 on tv, on stage, in magazines. I felt like I was always being told that I couldn’t take up space in my regular sized body. I didn’t look a certain way so I couldn’t expect to have the same things and I certainly shouldn’t show my body on any platform lest I be told I am fat.

Everytime I get in the ring I feel like I am hugging that child in me. The one who couldn’t feel confident wearing a two piece bathing suit. And if I look out in the audience and I see an awkward kid looking at me like i mean something to them, I’m doing something right. I’m helping them know that they don’t have to look a certain way to be whoever they want to be.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Go out and support the arts! All of them! Including pro wrestling! Go to local art shows and music venues. Tell your local municipal leaders to support venues that support local music. In Victoria, we are losing venues at an alarming rate which means many beginning artists can not find spaces to showcase their art. Share your experiences of art with others and encourage them to attend. Use social media to share the experience so more people can be enticed to see the art in person.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Beckybeechprowrestler
• Facebook: Becky Beech – Professional wrestler
• Youtube: 365 pro wrestling

Image Credits

Darren Ho Media