Diamond Dallas Page: Always inspiring
Have you seen the move “The Wrestler”? It’s a pretty accurate depiction of what the average wrestler goes through. From the main event to scratching out an existence with autograph signings and the random indy booking. It’s a story that we’ve heard time and time again. In wrestling there is no retirement plan, no golden parachute. It’s easy to be in the main event one week and then released, or worse, severely injured the next. Most spend the rest of their lives a shell of what they were in the ring, giving definition to the term “broken down wrestler”.
It’s a story that’s been repeated over and over again, the tragic stories far outweigh the successful ones, but there are a few that not only make the transition out of the spotlight, but thrive. One such story is that of “Diamond Dallas Page”. Dallas’ story has many qualities that are shared with so many others. The story of his transition away from wrestling started with an injury while he was still active in WCW. He suffered an injury to his L4 & L5. Three different doctors told him that he’d never wrestle again.
Dallas was never one to give up easily, as he earned the title “hardest working man in Professional Wrestling” for a reason. Even for him, though, the future looked bleak, he continued to go to rehab in hopes of strengthening his back. One day his wife at the time Kimberly coaxed him into trying Yoga. He scoffed “F*** that, I wouldn’t be caught dead doing Yoga”, but he was desperate so he was willing to try anything.
He was amazed at how much it helped him. He started mixing in some of his Yoga positions in with the moves he learned during rehabilitation. He also added some Pilates core strengthening moves and old school calisthenics done with a slow burn movement and even some MMA moves. Then DDP discovered the “secret sauce”, Dynamic Resistance.
The best part of DDP's Zero Impact Fitness is just that ZERO IMPACT on your joints... YRG is Zero, Nada... No Impact... Kick ass Cardio, Increased Flexibility and Core Strength Conditioning. Because of “YRG” DDP was back in the ring on a full time basis in less than three months. At 42 three different doctors told him that his wrestling career was over, at 43 he was the Heavy Weight Champion of the world.
Over the years, the YRG workout has morph into its own animal. According to DDP today YRG stands for “You’re Ready... GO!” As DDP puts it:
You're Ready to lose 100 lbs?... Go!
You're Ready to gain flexibility?... Go!
You're Ready to Own Your Life?...Go!”
“You’re Ready... GO!” "Just DO IT!" ... They mean the same thing!
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YRG started as a book, then several DVDs that he sold on his own website with help of business manager Alan Ludloff and eventually became a fully funded entity after partnering with a large media / distribution company. YRG also spawned YRGFitness.com as well as TeamYRG.com, a community based website for people on the program that boasts over 1000 members only a year after its launch. As DDP says, “If you wanna get Inspired go join TeamYRG.com and see what happens!” While not “Biggest Loser” numbers as far as membership, DDP insists that “this is only the beginning!” DDP and YRG have even made several appearances on Carnie Wilson’s reality show as her Fitness Guru and food consultant.
That might be enough to impress you about Dallas’ transition out of the wrestling spotlight there’s much more to tell. Dallas has also become an accomplish actor, appearing in “The Devils Rejects”, “Driftwood”, the soon to be released “Pizza Man” and nearly a dozen others. If that weren’t enough Dallas also works as an Inspirational Speaker combing his life story with his positive aspect and throwing in YRG for good measure.
Dallas has also added DDPRadio.com to his already jam-packed schedule, a weekly radio show discussing health and fitness. Dallas developed DDP Radio for TeamYRG.com to help everyone stay inspired on reaching their goals. In 2011 he is bringing in some of his personal friends to share their stories, on January 9th at 9 pm EST DDPRadio.com features Dan “The Beast” Severn followed by Marc “Johnny B Badd” Mero on January 20th. You can catch DDP and his crew every Thursday at 9 pm EST.
All of this left me to wonder about him. Most guys his age, that have had the career that he has had can barely get out of bed in the morning, let alone keep the schedule he does. Not only does Dallas get out of bed, but he also has the strength and flexibility that guys 30 years his junior are envious of. It’s simple, Dallas says “It’s YRG, it holds back the hands of time. I don’t even lift weights anymore and I’m probably in better shape now that I have been in any other time of my life. That’s why I do it. I want to help as many people as I can, I’m living proof of what it can do.”
Dallas’ road to success has not been an easy one. Dealing with adversity is something that he’s very familiar with. He grew up in a broken home, and with ADD and Dyslexia. At the age of 30 he was still reading at a 3rd grade level and didn’t read his first book until he was 32 years old. 10 Years later he wrote his own book. He was given the title of “wrestling’s oldest rookie” for a reason. His wrestling career didn’t start until he was 35 and didn’t take off until he was 40. From there he went on to become Champion. Not once, but three times.
Dallas is living proof that there can not only be life after the spotlight, but adversity can be the greatest teacher you’ll ever have. For more info on DDP go to www.DiamondDallasPage.com
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