We had the good fortune of connecting with Rico González and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rico, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Slow Down!! I have been told this by not only my trainer and many “vets” in the business, but also by my elders (parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents). Although I am hard headed sometimes and try not to stop, it always helps when I slow down both in the ring and in life. I have learned this to be one of life’s biggest metaphors when comparing it to in ring. Slowing down has taught me to enjoy moments more, to stress less about what is being thrown at me next and it allows me to calculate my next more more thoughtfully and effectively. I do believe it is a big part of growing up also, when you’re not running around trying to do a million things instead of focusing and prioritizing the task at hand .

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I joined the crazy world of professional wrestling in January of 2021 and it’s been a roller coaster ride ever since. I am thankful for the fact that I actually enjoy the fun that comes with riding a roller coaster being that it’s what I compare to being in this business. For the most part I have been blessed and my career up to this point hasn’t had too many challenges but there going without saying that there has been some. Depending on how you see it, I had both the advantage and disadvantage of starting my wrestling training at 27 and not in my teens or early 20s compared to others. I believe the life experiences I lived though helped me immensely, along with the fact that I strongly believe God has always looked out and protected me in everything I have done. I also feel that in order to thrive and succeed in this world of professional wrestling, with this exception of a few that make it early on, you have to Love it. This business is very trying and usually takes more than ever given back. For me personally, I enjoy challenges so every step I have to take, I enjoy for the most part and the words of my dad always echo in the back of my mind “I don’t care what my children become in life as long as they’re the best at it!”
The challenges of self doubt, insecurity and self pressure became a burden to me towards the third quarter of my first year and to date has been the biggest challenge, just feeling that this wasn’t for me or that I wasn’t good enough and soon became anxious and reached depression which I never experienced before. I began to question all of it, especially if I had made the right choice, I reached a low point but thankfully I have a strong support system in my family, friends, fellow wrestlers and my boyfriend. I had to change my approach to my matches and that’s when I started to have more fun than I was before and I’m still on that journey or learning and allowing myself to enjoy it at the same time. I feel like this example is exactly what sets me apart, I have been through various life experiences that I overcame and tried to look back and analyze the positives and how it helped me grow so I use events and tools and resources to convey emotion and passion into what we call the squared circle.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The reason I’ve learned to love and appreciate Atlanta and the surrounding areas is because you have a little bit of everything in the city and outside of it to welcome anyone to the “Dirty South” for a great time. Our day would start with brunch at the Atlanta Breakfast Club in downtown in the shadows of the Georgia Aquarium and the World Of Coca Cola because I’m a big food guy so we’d have to have a great meal first. From there I would take them to the world of Coca Cola being that it is my favorite “tourist” spot in the city.
I think I would go outside the city to Stone Mountain park for a bit of sight seeing and a hike, and to show the range out city has between city and nature. There were more options for hiking but those would require more time.
From there I would take them to Buford Highway for some authentic Mexican food or some Asian cuisine if they were more into that, something outside from the city and more into regular day.
We can go to the rooftop of Ponce City Market from there back into the city to catch some views and drinks and a few games on the rooftop.
Finally, we could go the party route right into the Buckhead bars if the mood called for it or a nice chill bar and games at the Painted Pin depending on the energy and vibe of who is coming along.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my road wife Brogan Finlay because shout out bro! Most importantly shoutout to AR Fox and Ayla Fox running the WWA4 wrestling school in Atlanta! Fox has dedicated so much time and effort in creating the next group of stars in this business and has an impressive track record to prove it. AR Fox himself is criminally underrated in the grand scheme of wrestling but everyone that has had the opportunity to work with or on the same shows as him can tell you that!
Shout out the WWA4 boys for killing it all over the independent and TV scene, love you all!
Shout out my family for being the most supportive and amazing group of people I could ask for in my life!
Finally, shout out AC Mack, for getting me back on my feet when I’ve fallen, I love you!

Instagram: @rico94gonzalez

Twitter: @rico94gonzalez

Facebook: Rico Gonzalez

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCPOU1A7buO6OoJSDGGm4wpw

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