We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wes Mena a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Wes , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Since I was in high school I always knew that I wanted to be a professional athlete of some sort. Where that would be? was anyone’s guess. I was good in a lot of things from football, to wrestling, or even MMA. I had the drive and athletic ability to make it big. I just didn’t know what sport I would thrive in. As I got older and went to college on a scholarship I realized school was just NOT for me. I struggled in classrooms and that hindered my on the field career because the “student-athlete” model was just not working for me. Not being able to finish college I took a risk in MMA which was short lived. I knew I wanted to pursue it but just like anything else it takes a lot of hard work. At the time my pockets were looking really empty and I needed to get a job. Long story short I became a business owner by having a successful bodyguard business. Now I protect athletes from all over the country mainly NFL clients. Now I’m a Power Slap Athlete under the UFC umbrella owned by Dana White. I was presented an opportunity and took full advantage. Now I signed a six fight deal and when I’m not protecting athletes, I’m at the gym practicing and training my craft. I never gave up and I took risks along the way, I always tell the young athletes NEVER GIVE UP! No matter how old you get. If you have the passion to do something strive for it and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I got into the power slap industry by taking full advantage of an opportunity that was presented to me. They were filming season 3 of “Power Slap Road To The Title”. I seen that the guys were slapping each other in the face. It went viral, over 250 million views on one match. It was globally being recognized everywhere fast as a new sport. Yes it came with its pros and cons everybody was worried about the concussion draw backs. But hey so does boxing, and football no one had a gun to my head and told me to do this, I decided to try it out myself. When I was a wrestler in high school I would have my coach pump me up by giving me a slap in the face and I welcomed it because it awakened the beast inside me. So getting paid to be slapped in the face was like music to my ears why not!? And the popularity you get behind it. I wanted to challenge myself and take this thing full throttle and I did. Becoming a bodyguard I’m able to be a professional power slapper and promote my bodyguard business at the same time. That would enable me to get more views on my business and more clientele.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes to become World Heavyweight Power Slap Champion. I want to beat the man, to become the man that is the goal. It drives me so much. I’ve always wanted to become champion and change my families lives forever. It’s kind of like killing to birds at once’s I’m working to become champion and marketing myself more by showing my bodyguard business to the world while I compete.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is to put yourself around like-minded individuals that see the bigger picture in things that they do. I love being in a room full of entrepreneurs, business owners, and athletes because you get to network and learn from somebody that has either more success than you or has years of experience then what you currently have and you’re able to pick their brain and learn.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @rm_protection_llc
