Wrestling with Adversity
"You are exposed to different things depending on what school you learn from and who you're learning from. Some people hit really, really, really hard. They wail on people, whether it's practice, it doesn't matter. When you really get hit like that for the first time, then you understand 'OK, I'm really getting hit here.' There are some things you can't fake. That's why 'real or fake' doesn't really factor into it for me."
This week on The Moonlighters' Club, Joel sits down with Tom Sanford V, who works as a Digital Media Producer by day and trains to be a professional wrestler by night.
Although many of his days at the startup he works at (alongside Joel) can be stressful, Tom thrives on creativity and enjoys being challenged, especially during lunchtime matches of Super Smash Brothers. That love for competition translates to his moonlight career as Dramatico, his wrestling alter ego. Additionally, making use of his technical skills in the (very little) free time he has, he works as an entrepreneurial digital producer.
Hailing from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Tom loved watching wresting as a kid, and went to a few different wrestling school once he got old enough to compete. He gained experience, honed his moves, practiced his locks and - after moving to Boston - he found his audience. Despite wrestling being called "fake," Tom has sustained his fair share of bumps and bruises... like breaking his collarbone while attempting an arm drag while training as Dramatico. Nevermind the occasional concussion, welts or various scrapes and cuts.
But, Tom loves it. And he doesn't plan to stop anytime soon - even if he has to work a full day and then head to a match. Keep up with him on Facebook at dramaticolives, Twitter at @ts5, Instagram at dramaticolives or working the mat at his preferred school, New England Pro Wrestling Academy.