This Thing We Call Life

I had planned on releasing this episode some time ago. I explain the reasoning for the delay in recording, much less releasing an episode.I discuss how negotiating with myself can be a detriment to the creative process.I'm hoping to become more consistent in the releasing episodes without the gap in release dates.All that to say, here is my episode discussing my 2003 in the wrestling industry.

I share my thoughts on the build up for Wrestlemania 41. I also give some predictions and share my love for Mania as a whole.

In this deep dive, I go into so many of the events and memories that took place during 2002. From my final days with Elite Wrestling Federation to my debut with the National Wrestling Alliance. I go into some of the business politics that took place. I also share some road stories and some memorable events. I even discuss how my wife and I went from friendship to romance.

Before continuing with the #DeMarcoReWatch series, I thought I would take a stroll down memory lane into my first 2 years in the wrestling industry. From deciding to goto to CTPW in 2000 to my run with EWF in 2001, I dive into my thoughts and feelings about those first 2 years. I deep dive into my early training, my early travels and almost walking away from the industry at the end of 2000. I then talk about what brought me back and how that shaped my whole life. I discuss how making wrestling the priority affected me.

I had recorded a few episodes and then decided against releasing them. I found my perspective needed to change before addressing topics. I found that my perspective needs to change. This is me working thru that.

To the shock of many, myself included, John Cena turned heel at the Elimination Chamber. I discuss the turn and the lead up to it, including some of the breadcrumbs left. I talk about how social media can spoil the shock of these turn, as well as how the opinions of pundits and fans can skew one's view.

For the past 6 weeks, I have followed DDPY's Powercuffs Routine. I give my opinion on the routine, my equipment, the app and my experience. I also discuss my mindset toward training, my inconsistency and my inspiration for trying to do DDPY everyday starting January 1, 2025.

I give my thoughts on the 2025 Royal Rumble for both the women and men. I share my thoughts on the criticism and give my opinion on both matches, the entrances, the highlights, the moments and the winners.

I look back at 2024 and discuss my mindset going into 2025. *** Please be advised that there are a few swear words within the episode.

One of the heaviest weights I carry is thee weight of silence. It is self imposed and tends to almost paralyze me. I've struggled with being overwhelmed while trying to maintain the outward appearance of being calm. Some chaos can't be calmed. Not for a lack of trying. I decided to be vocal, record while being vocal and put out that recording of being vocal.

I catch up with my Nate Slater on show day and we discuss how his shows days now compare to when he first broke in the business. We discuss how he physically feels and how he felt winning the TASW championship. We share some flowers and have a good catch up session.

My great friend and GSL brother, Loverboy Nate Andrews, have a conversation where we discuss why he wanted to become a promoter, illuminations brought on by his promoting experience, the soreness of performing and life lessons. A great conversation with a wonderful friend.

Following an overwhelming episode of anxiety, I decide to talk about the causes.

This week, I discuss my son's broken tibia, my childhood shaping my parenthood, dealing with dealerships and getting new breaks, falling off my DDPY program, only being caught up somewhat on wrestling programming and how I still fixate and negativity from a few years ago. All that and other thoughts.

I would begin my journey at PCW (out of Arlington, TX) in 2003 and by April of that year I was the Light Heavyweight Champion. This is my perspective on the events leading up to and including that win.

Trying to be more consistent with checking in and putting out more episodes.

In 1998, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. 2 years later, I would begin my journey into professional wrestling. And while I have been dealing with this Disorder since I was 4 or 5, I only recently voiced that I suffer from it. This is my story.

Happy Wrestleversary to me and I get into where I see myself and question my future.

#DeMarcoReWatch is a new project I have been working on where I look at my past content and comment in short form. This is the long form companion where I give insight into my time with NWA and my 2 time reign as NWA Texas Champion.

February 2019, I walked into AutoNation West in Austin, TX in need of repair for my Chevy Malibu and ended up taking home a 2019 Chevy Equinox. 5 years and 100,000 miles later I give my thoughts of the journey with the vehicle and more importantly with the dealership from sales people to service department to general manager.

I get into where Steve De Marco is in 2024 in relation to wrestling. I also discuss some of the struggles in my mindset and how it has limited me. I discuss how building a persona as a shield has worked and not worked for me. I talk about a potential project I am working on and the future of this podcast.

As I review my attempt at going through God Of War: Ragnarok's latest update in Valhalla. My goal was to record a review as I defeated Tyr one final time before going on to the next game in my library. Let me know what you thought.

And I choose to review it. Not a total in depth review, but a review. I even give some thoughts on Mortal Kombat 1. I discuss how my asthma decided to come back and caused me to throw my back out...twice.

I talk about some issues I have been dealing with since 2018. I give my thoughts on how 2018 and then 2020 impacted me and my view on myself and my place in the wrestling industry. I discuss feeling judged, my self-doubt and how outside voices have impacted me...even when they are the vocal minority. I get into it.

It took me a few recordings to find the right words for this topic. I'm not sure if I was really able to, even after so many takes. This is part wish list and part what if. I discuss my wish list throughout my time with the group, where I saw the group going, where I saw the "GSL 2020" web series going and thoughts on a reunion.

I delve into the IWE experience, my faults, some of my questionable choices and how I saw the promotion going into 2010, 2011 and beyond. I also discuss if I would run a promotion, show or training facility now. I also discuss what I see the what if and pitches portion of these recording and what they ultimately serve as.

In this episode I give a pretty detailed account as portraying Mr. X as part of Team International for Booker T's Reality Of Wrestling. I go over some never before discussed for the character. I also delve into my thoughts and feelings during that time period. I also talk about the idea being pitched of X taking over Team International.

I originally was gonna just talk specifics about a pitch I made to Booker T, during his King Booker days, when I became a student of his at PWA. As I dove deeper, I felt the bigger story was the timeframe and events around the pitch that led to it. I ended up delving into that time period in 2006 being a period of what if. Specifically a certain choice. I delve into what became a therapy session while recording.

Before I get into the meat of the topic, I give an update on getting our Equinox back after the Catastrophic Motor Failure Event 2 months prior. I also talk about Ghost Of Tsushima withdrawals. And then I pitch an idea about filming the cinematic journey of Bryan Keith as a love letter to Texas wrestling. I even pitch how I would film it and casting ideas. A delve into my mind.

This isn't an actual review in the sense of breaking down the game. I actually give my thoughts while completing the task that brought me back to complete the story of a New Game + session. I give some spoilers, but mainly I just give praise to an amazing achievement in entertainment. This is more than a game. It is an experience.

I give my thoughts on "Stray", the game where you play a cat and try to navigate thru a world where although humans have left...humanity seems to find a way. I then give some updates on what is going on with me.

I felt the need to share a message with all of you.

The continuation of the last episode. When will the part arrive? Will we get a loaner? Will the lienholder/financial institution show any humanity? This question and more will be answered in this ongoing saga of backed order parts, spare parts shortages and the business of major auto dealerships.

On July 19, 2023, I put my vehicle into idle to unload some items and put them in our new storage unit. When trying to put my car in gear and hitting the accelerator, the vehicle would coast. Days later, I would hear the phrase "Catastrophic Motor Event" for the first time. What would follow was a deep dive into the world of engine replacements, my dealership's tactics from their service department to their sales team, extended warranty policies and corporate intervention. I record multiple sessions from the day the vehicle event occurred to the day before putting this episode out. I even cover my past dealings with the same dealership under different regimes. The situation is still fluid. This is my own personal experience.

Should I listen to the voice in my head that suggests another run in the wrestling ring? I decide to think out loud, vocalize those thoughts, record it and release it for the public. Get inside my mind at this particular point in my life.

My family and I moved this week. We downsized from a 4 bedroom, 2 story house to a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. I give a day by day account of my mindset, what brought us to downsize and how the move came together. Plenty of stream of consciousness and part therapy session.

I started this episode with a quick review of WWE Night Of Champions and then started stream of consciousness recording where I get into what gives me some of my biggest anxiety, my fluctuating credit score and flirting with the idea of wrestling again at 49.

I was dealing with a panic attack and decided to record an episode. Having to gather thoughts or mentally prepare to speak took the edge away from the panic. I gave an update on my Cyberpunk 2077 progress, debated if I had wrestled my final match in 2022, talked a little AEW and WWE Backlash and even disclosed some of the causes of my panic, anxiety and depression.

When I originally thought of recording this, I had an idea of where it might go. It went somewhere else, but I appreciate that I can put out stream-of-consciousness content. I discuss hindsight, playing the what if game when it comes to the industry and how looking back is shaping my mindset moving forward.

I decided to voice my appreciation for both The Last Of Us (Part 1) video game and the HBO Max series. I talk about the similarities, difference and how they compliment one another. I deep dive into both and talk a little about potential future recordings.

I decided to give game review a chance in this episode, and my first review would be "Hogwarts Legacy". I do go pretty in depth on my experience with the game, without to many spoilers. I also give my quick review of my 2 hour trial with "Marvel's Midnight Sun". My hope is to do more reviews as I complete games.

I get into events leading up to and following the lock down and my views on things in 2023.

***Warning: the subject matter is dark and raw. Listener discretion is advised. I decide to discuss my struggles with suicidal thoughts, the origin of those thoughts and how I work through them. I also cover a recent visit to the emergency room for chest pains and the process I went through. I appreciate all of those who have reached out.

Another stream of consciousness recording as I did deliveries. I spoke about how my 2022 was and some of my goals for 2023.

I discuss my induction into The Offshoots 2022 Hall Of Fame class. I give my thoughts on if I would be inducted. I talk about my fellow inductees and give my feelings on being inducted. I also give my thoughts on my future and give a little advice to talent.

I give some insight into my childhood and some of the trauma that occurred, being saved by my grandma, being reunited with my mom and gaining a step-dad. I give details about my life I rarely share publically. I also discuss how my childhood shaped my parenting style.

A little late night stream of consciousness on eulogizing the living and accepting flowers. I discuss my feelings on death and how it has evolved over the years.

Welcome back, everyone. This is a Happy Birthday Message for my wife. I am truly blessed to have her in my life and I wanted to share my feelings for her, with anyone willing to listen.

February 2000 was when I first stepped into a ring, took bumps and ran the ropes for the very first time. By April 2000 I was wrestling in my first few matches. And the rest is my history in the business. I discuss my 22 years in wrestling and give a few stories along the way.

I've always felt strangely confident about my ability to cut a promo, and others have called me a Promo God. I discuss my evolution as a promo and the evolution of the promo. I also give some insight into my mindset going into and during my very first live mic promo in over 2 years.

For 15 years, I have been a content creator on YouTube. I've never made any money from the platform. I was a YouTube Partner for more than half of my time creating content on the platform. I discuss my time creating content and the evolution of the process. I share some stories behind the many chapters of being a content creator.