Josh #4: Red
Apr 19, 2016 12:03:29 GMT -5
Post by pete on Apr 19, 2016 12:03:29 GMT -5
You know, what? I’m done.
Josh looks into the camera lens. He’s in one of the training rings at the LDFC facility. He’s wearing his ring gear, coupled with the sleeveless hoodie he wears for his entrances. However, in stark contrast to the statement he’s just made, he’s smiling.
I’m done being intimidated. Every show I get lined up with somebody who’s been doing this for years… and I get nervous. Intimidated. How can I beat these people? I’ve only been doing this a minute.
A look of frustration briefly washes over his face.
And you know what? It’s that thinking that meant I could only tie Robbie Black. It’s that thinking which meant I lost to Triple T… I mean, props to him, he’s probably the best down here. But he struggled to put me down, even he’ll admit it. I shocked him. And you know what? If I’d walked into that match, actually thinking I could win it… well, what would the story be?
He shrugs.
But the past is the past. You can’t change it. You can only get over it. And since then… well, things look like they’re finally going my way, first time in about 5 years. I’m finally earning some money. Not loads, by any means, but enough that I don’t have to live off my mom anymore, with change left over. I’ve got a really great group of friends, couldn’t ask for better, really.
Serious look.
There’s one place left to bring it in, and that’s the ring. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t take Triple T to the limit, get handed a month off, then think I’m the hottest thing since sliced bread. Far from it. I know I’ve got work to do. The difference between then and now? Well, I’m not going to sweat the small stuff.
Broad smile.
Let’s take my opponent this week. She’s got some real famous brothers. Champion class brothers. She’s wrestled coast to coast. She’s aggressive. She’s a Reed, and hey, even I’ve heard of them.
A small chuckle, mostly to himself.
I’m none of that. I’m, well, me. Josh Mitchell. I’m just this guy, from down the road in McLeansville, who decided one day he wanted to try and become a wrestler. That’s it! I’m not the product of some great wrestling dynasty. I haven’t known this is what I wanted to do since I was kneehigh. I’m just a guy. Well, a guy with one leg, but that’s besides the point.
Another shrug.
This means something to me, this whole business. This… I made a promise, long ago, to someone very close to me… and goddammit this week is the first step to me keeping it. I may just be a local boy, but so what? Do you have to be from Atlanta, or Philadelphia, or Orlando, some big city, to hit it big in this? No, I’m out there to prove to everyone that a small town, local boy can stand among these people, from all over the country, no, the world, and stand side by side with them.
He starts bouncing, from foot to prosthetic.
I’m out here to prove to everyone that it’s not the start you’re handed in life, it’s not genetics, but it’s hard work and determination that get you the wins, both in life and in the ring. I want to be that guy who kids watch on the screen, and realise that whatever problem, whatever impairment you have, holding you down, you can overcome them. We may have to work longer, work harder, but so what? Teddy Roosevelt once said “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty...”. And you know what? It’s true.
He starts rolling his shoulders as he bounces, working out knots.
I am not here on some pity trip. I don’t want to be thought of as “good for his disability”. That’s not good enough. My intention is to be good. Great. One might even say, a little gosh darn amazing. I don’t care if it means my mountain is higher to climb, my path is longer to walk. The longer the journey, the richer the reward.
And just as suddenly as he started, he stops bouncing, and pauses.
Something Triple T said about me, when we faced, really stuck with me. He thought that it meant I’m at a disadvantage, and you probably do to. If you do, you really don’t understand how the world works. It just means I’m going to try harder than you.
He smiles.
So let’s see how everybody feels, once they get beat in the ass kicking contest by the one legged guy. Starting with Bianca Reed.
Josh looks into the camera lens. He’s in one of the training rings at the LDFC facility. He’s wearing his ring gear, coupled with the sleeveless hoodie he wears for his entrances. However, in stark contrast to the statement he’s just made, he’s smiling.
I’m done being intimidated. Every show I get lined up with somebody who’s been doing this for years… and I get nervous. Intimidated. How can I beat these people? I’ve only been doing this a minute.
A look of frustration briefly washes over his face.
And you know what? It’s that thinking that meant I could only tie Robbie Black. It’s that thinking which meant I lost to Triple T… I mean, props to him, he’s probably the best down here. But he struggled to put me down, even he’ll admit it. I shocked him. And you know what? If I’d walked into that match, actually thinking I could win it… well, what would the story be?
He shrugs.
But the past is the past. You can’t change it. You can only get over it. And since then… well, things look like they’re finally going my way, first time in about 5 years. I’m finally earning some money. Not loads, by any means, but enough that I don’t have to live off my mom anymore, with change left over. I’ve got a really great group of friends, couldn’t ask for better, really.
Serious look.
There’s one place left to bring it in, and that’s the ring. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t take Triple T to the limit, get handed a month off, then think I’m the hottest thing since sliced bread. Far from it. I know I’ve got work to do. The difference between then and now? Well, I’m not going to sweat the small stuff.
Broad smile.
Let’s take my opponent this week. She’s got some real famous brothers. Champion class brothers. She’s wrestled coast to coast. She’s aggressive. She’s a Reed, and hey, even I’ve heard of them.
A small chuckle, mostly to himself.
I’m none of that. I’m, well, me. Josh Mitchell. I’m just this guy, from down the road in McLeansville, who decided one day he wanted to try and become a wrestler. That’s it! I’m not the product of some great wrestling dynasty. I haven’t known this is what I wanted to do since I was kneehigh. I’m just a guy. Well, a guy with one leg, but that’s besides the point.
Another shrug.
This means something to me, this whole business. This… I made a promise, long ago, to someone very close to me… and goddammit this week is the first step to me keeping it. I may just be a local boy, but so what? Do you have to be from Atlanta, or Philadelphia, or Orlando, some big city, to hit it big in this? No, I’m out there to prove to everyone that a small town, local boy can stand among these people, from all over the country, no, the world, and stand side by side with them.
He starts bouncing, from foot to prosthetic.
I’m out here to prove to everyone that it’s not the start you’re handed in life, it’s not genetics, but it’s hard work and determination that get you the wins, both in life and in the ring. I want to be that guy who kids watch on the screen, and realise that whatever problem, whatever impairment you have, holding you down, you can overcome them. We may have to work longer, work harder, but so what? Teddy Roosevelt once said “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty...”. And you know what? It’s true.
He starts rolling his shoulders as he bounces, working out knots.
I am not here on some pity trip. I don’t want to be thought of as “good for his disability”. That’s not good enough. My intention is to be good. Great. One might even say, a little gosh darn amazing. I don’t care if it means my mountain is higher to climb, my path is longer to walk. The longer the journey, the richer the reward.
And just as suddenly as he started, he stops bouncing, and pauses.
Something Triple T said about me, when we faced, really stuck with me. He thought that it meant I’m at a disadvantage, and you probably do to. If you do, you really don’t understand how the world works. It just means I’m going to try harder than you.
He smiles.
So let’s see how everybody feels, once they get beat in the ass kicking contest by the one legged guy. Starting with Bianca Reed.