189: BUSTING STEREOTYPES with Plus-Size Model, TV Star and WWE Superstar Nia Jax

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Welcome to the Earn your happy Podcast. I'm Lori Harder, founder of The Bliss Project, 3 Time Fitness World champion, fitness expert and cover model, turned self love junkie, lifestyle entrepreneur and author.

Each week I'll bring you a guest.

Or a thought that will help you bust through your fears, connect to your soul and get focused and clear so you can elevate your life, business and relationships. We don't wait until we're ready for someone to tell us we're good enough. We take what we want and we anoint ourselves, get ready to earn, own and unapologetically rock your happiness every single day. Are you with me? Here we go. Welcome back to the Earn your happy podcast. And you guys, if you are feeling isolated, if you're feeling like you don't have a tribe of women like minded people to really help you transcend from where you are right now into the person that you know you are being called to be, or maybe you're getting that soul calling and you're not quite answering it yet and it's turning more into a scream and it's starting to make you feel even more awful than the thought of facing the fear around doing that actual thing. If you're in any of these positions, you have to join me this year at the Bliss project. It is March 2nd through the 4th in Newport Beach, California and it is going to be a life changing weekend. If you've been wanting to bust through your fears and really meet a like minded tribe of people, this is exactly where you must be be. If you're feeling called to this, I want you to go check it out@theblissproject.info right now. It's also in the show notes and who is this event for? You guys really want to get clear on if you're feeling called to it. I want to make sure that you know what is going to go on there. 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We have a really amazing team working on it and we're adding so many more things than we have ever done in prior years because I know that when I get the opportunity to put epic women into a room, I want magical things there so that you guys can truly have the tools to create your own amazing transformation and experiences. And you guys, what happens there is nothing short of miraculous. So if you're ready to create your transformation, if you're ready to step in, if you're ready to have your tribe, this is where you want to be. And I hope that you join us and that I get to meet you and hug you and see you there. So. Theblissproject.info com. Welcome back to the Earn your happy podcast and today I'm so excited to introduce you to Naya Jax. You guys, I got such an exciting opportunity to do a podcast with her and we actually recorded this in between her filming and doing a bunch of different meetings that she had to be at. So we found a sweet spot where we could record in her schedule. And she was so kind to show up, be so fully present because she's so committed to her message. So Nia Jax is a former plus size model and bodybuilder. She's an advocate for positive body image. She is a featured cast member in the seventh season of E's Total Divas. She supports the military through WWE's annual tribute to the troops and she also regularly visits children's hospitals around the country. She's also the cousin of Dwayne the Rock Johnson. She's played basketball in college and inside the rings, she is known to be not like most girls. She's a force to be reckoned with. And she was named Rookie of the Year in 2016 and Strongest Woman of the Year in 2017 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. She made her Raw debut in July 2016, and she signed with WWE in early 2014. So, you guys, I love how she is using this platform to empower women and also everything that she went through to get where she's at and fulfill this dream. So I can't wait for to listen in because I think that it's going to give you so many beautiful ideas of different ways that you can create and use your vision, your dreams, and your platform to help other women. So, you guys, let's get started. Nya, thank you so much for coming on the show. I'm so excited to have you on.

I'm. Thank you so much for actually having me. I'm really excited about this. Once I heard about your podcast, I, like, pumped. Very pumped to be a part of it.

Ah, okay. So I was just in Naya land. Like, I was on your Instagram, I was going through everything online, and you are hilarious. First of all, I was like. I was like, I love this woman. She is hilarious. She is right up my alley. Like, okay, I have to ask, what is it? When is your birthday?

May 29th.

Okay. I was like, is she a Sagittarius? You're a Taurus, right?

No, I'm a Gemini, baby.

Okay. Amazing. Amazing.

Okay.

Even better. All right, so if you could give everyone just a little backstory on you, I would love to hear just what you're up to right now and how you got into doing what you do. For anyone who's not familiar, well, I.

Am a WWE Superstar. Nia Jax. I am from San Diego, California. There's a little town in. It's called Carlsbad. It's the north part of San Diego, and I grew up there. I've always been pretty athletic my whole life, obviously. I have family that have been in the wwe. The Rock is my cousin and I've grown up watching him and fell in love with the business, and that's pretty much what got me to get in there. My aunt was actually the one who pushed and encouraged me to get into it because I am of plus size to be something different that the company hasn't really show. So I got into it.

Okay. So I always love to hear because, you know, this is all about. This podcast is all about either going after your dreams or becoming an Entrepreneur or doing anything, no matter how big of a dream it may seem, you know, to other people or impossible to other people. So when you were younger, you know, you got to watch your cousin. But was this something? Was this a dream that you always had, or was this something that seemed challenging to you or just right off the bat, were you like, yes, this is for me. I'm going for it no matter what?

No, definitely not. Growing up watching it, I never saw anybody like me reflected on the show, so I never really thought I could do it. It was something that I was like, oh, this is awesome. It's. You know, me and my brothers watched it, we emulated it, we had our favorites, but I didn't really relate to any of the women on the show, so I didn't think it was possible for me at first. I really, you know, growing up, I've always been a big girl. I was the tallest girl since I was 13 in my class. You know, I was always. I never fit into any of the clothes at the stores with my friends. And, you know, I always had to go get, you know, my brother's, like, hand me down clothes. I always wore baggy, like, shorts and like, T shirts because there's no fashion for girls my size. And, you know, I had bigger, like, it's just. I was a big person. I'm a big human being, Big, beautiful, whatever. But so, you know, seeing the women in the wwe, they're so beautiful, but they just. I couldn't relate to them, so I didn't think that I would be able to do it. I've always been athletic, so I knew that my body could take it. I just didn't think my image would be accepted. So, you know, I kept pushing it off, pushing it off. And then finally, WWE, we have this big, huge show. It's called WrestleMania, and it's basically our Super bowl and WrestleMania 28. My cousin the Rock was facing John Cena in the main event, and being there, I just caught the bug. I, you know, sing front row, and all the energy and just seeing how the fans react and how they just. There's so much passion that they give, and I had to be a part of it. So I talked to my aunt about it and I just said, hey, what do you think about, you know, someone like me trying to wrestle? And she, you know, she was so supportive. She said, of course. Oh, my gosh, I think it would be great. You know, you're so different. You're, you know, you're a curvier woman. You're athletic. We need to be able to show young girls and women out there that somebody like you can do this. And. And so, you know, we worked it out to where I could try out. And at first I was going to train in a. At a place in Orlando, but then the performance center opened up, which is the WWE training center, and they had tryouts. So I went in and tried out, telling anybody who I was related to, hoping that, you know, it didn't really affect me if I. If nobody knew who I was related to. I can actually, you know, have a chance without any kind of bias. And so I tried out and they instantly, like, you know, they loved me and they loved the fact that I was different. And it like, oh, I was so nervous. I walked in the, like, opening the door to that performance center and seeing all the gorgeous. I mean, I'm not kidding you. They had, like, supermodels, you know, fitness girls, like, I mean, insane. And they were all done up to the nines, hair and makeup done. I literally walked in because I've been an athlete my whole life. I was a basketball player, track, you know, softball, soccer. I never wore makeup and I never wore my hair down whenever I played a sport or when I work out.

Yeah.

And these girls had their hair. Yeah, their hair done, their makeup done. Like, I walked in with my hair up, no makeup on, like, completely grudged out. Like, you know, seriously, just woke up out of bed, like, rolling in, and I'm like. I was like, oh, my gosh, I think I'm out of my league here. I was like, I don't. Yeah, I was like, I don't know if I sit here. Like, one, I'm like the biggest girl. Two, I'm not wearing any makeup. My hair is, like, you know, scraily. It's all, like, curly and, like, frails everywhere frizzed out. And I'm like. I was so, like, nervous and, like, almost embarrassed that I wasn't dressed up the way they were. I was like, oh, God, this is embarrassing.

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All right, so where did you have to go mentally? Because so a lot of people, what you know, what tends to happen is you get in your head and then you're like, oh my God. And it's just over from there. So what were you doing? What were you thinking in order to show up the way you wanted to show up.

To the tryout?

Yeah.

Oh, gosh. So the funny thing is that so like I said, I was going to train in Orlando at a different wrestling school and then the tryout for the performance center just happened to be like within three weeks away from the time that I was talking to my aunt about it. And I was able to get into that tryout. I literally only had three weeks to train for this. And I just remember my cousin saying, like, it's nothing like you've ever done before. He's like, I know you're athletic. He's like, I know you can do a lot of things. Like, the wrestling is a different beast. He's like getting into that ring, it's. It's just nothing like he's ever done. And I was like, are you kidding me? I'll be fine. So I bet what I. Because I'm, you know, I'm very like confident in my athleticism. Just, you know, I've been doing it since I was 5 years old with my brothers and I never played sports with boys until I was 13 years old. I mean, with girls until I was 13 years old, my dad always made me play with boys. So I was like, dude, I got that. I'll be fine. So I trained as hard as I could, like day in, day out with my brother. I did two a days. My brother trained me because he was a strength and conditioning coach. I got, you know, I got lifting up, I got my cardio up and I was like, okay, I'm ready for this. I'm like totally ready. Obviously not like makeup and hair ready, but my body was ready. I was like, I'm ready. I could do this, you know, But I mean, boy, was I slapped with a dose of reality. I mean it, like there's. He was right. There's nothing. I could never tell anybody what it's like to step into the ring for the first time because you just can't tell anybody. Like, your body is sore in so many places. You never thought could be sore. Like, I thought I literally was like, I almost like after the first day because it was a three day tryout. The first day of the tryout, I like went back to my hotel room and I like drew a hot bath and I sat in there, I'm thinking, like, what the fuck did I just get myself into? I was like, oh my God, am I going to be able to wake up tomorrow and go the second day? Like, you gotta be kidding me.

So I want to talk about that because that's so interesting. Like, you know, sometimes we can finally get to those points where you are pursuing your dream and you're like, whoa, this is a lot of work. I had no idea. Did you have that moment of like, do I really want to do this? And what made you keep going?

Well, so when, like during the trials, like, it was, it was something to, I was like, oh my gosh, my body, can I handle this? Like, I wasn't a spring chicken. You know, I tried out at 29 and I, you know, all these girls were 21, 22, 23. And I'm sitting here going like, oh, man. You know, I know I really want this, but am I going to be able to handle this? And then not on top, not only on top of that. They're telling you, like, look, you're. You won't ever see your family. You're on the road over 300 days a year. You're constantly on the go in a plane, in a car, doing media. You know, it's just a go, go, go. And I had it. I had to really think about it. You know, I really sit there and think, like, oh my gosh. You know, because I'm so family oriented, like, my family drives me like they are my heart and soul. I get like emotional talking about them because they are everything to me. And being away from them, it breaks my heart. And so, But I, it is like this job is something to where like you either love it or you don't. Like, you have to, you have to dive in headfirst. And I, I said to myself, like, this is what I want and I know I want it. And if I have to sacrifice the time with my family right now, which is killing me, like, I'm gonna do it because what I love. So I just fully committed and it's been, it's been amazing. Like, it's been an amazing journey.

I love that you shared that just about your family too. And sometimes that why can be so much bigger. And I just want to point out what you're doing as I really got to know who you are and what you're about. And just the fact that you are, you are standing in your power as, as not only a female, but also I love, love, love, you know, what you're doing as a plus size model as well. Because I have to be honest, what I hear all the time from women, you know, I work with women who want to but through fears and become whatever it is that they want to become. It's like, I hear a lot that they are waiting. They're waiting on their body or they're waiting to feel good enough. So what is something that you would tell somebody who's like, you know, when this happens, when I feel good or when I finally overcome that fear, what would you say to them?

Well, to be. To be completely honest, I am. I have been that way myself. I've totally been that way. Like, I've always been like, oh, when I lose £20 or when I lose, you know, this, or when I change my hair or something. But then I. I came to a conclusion and I heard it. It was. It was a quote that. Don't wait. Wait on your weight. Like, stop waiting for something. Because it's like years can go by and you're gonna wait and wait until when? When is that ever going to happen? When I ever. As women, when are we ever going to be satisfied with the way we look? You know, like, that's something that's a constant struggle for women daily, you know, like, I constantly am very. You know, I push the confidence and I am. I am very confident person. But there are days where I look like, God dang, you know, like, I don't really like the way this fits on me. And I don't really. You know, I wish I could lose that little bit of flab right there. It is a constant push. But I did tell myself one day it's like, I need to stop waiting because right now is. Tomorrow's not promised. And right now I'm as good as I'm going to get today. So I better make sure that I do everything I want to do and that I can do and the heart. And like I've always said, my mom is. My mom was the number one person. She's like, what's the harm in trying? Because all they can say is no. And where, you know, you'll be in the same place you were before. There's nothing to lose. So that's always been my mentality about things. It's like, okay, well, I have nothing to lose. I'm not. All they can tell me is no. And then all I can do is just try again. And, you know, like, it's never something to where I. There's never a complete. I guess it's never a definite. There's nothing really definite. You can always make sure that, like, you work through something, you push through. And then you always have to. You always have to take that chance because then, you know, you'll always be sitting in the background and what wishing and wanting and not really getting what you want.

I love that. So let's talk about that. The no's and the struggle and all of those things that we are so afraid of. For some reason, it's like we dwell more on the nose and getting rejected than really thinking about what is on the other side. So what is something that you would share with people about the no's and the struggle that has made you better or stronger or why do we need them?

Well, I mean, so being actually, I was a plus size model, so that actually helped me for, you know, the future. And it's something that. So being a plus size model, like, yes. Everybody's like, oh, you know, whatever. Being a model is just so easy. You just have to walk in front of a camera, blah, blah, blah. It's really not as easy as you think. You're on the grind and you're pushing through and you're going to all these. All these casting calls. You know, you're on your feet, walking in cars and cabs, and you're going and doing all this step to like 95% of the time, people just saying, no, you're not good enough. No, you're not good enough. Sorry, you don't have to look for me. Sorry. Your forehead's too big, Your love handles are too wide. I don't like the freckles on your face. I mean, I'm not kidding. I've heard it all. Your hair is too curly. Your feet are too, like, just from I remember, and I was 18 at the time, and I would call my mom, crying my eyes out, just bawling my eyes out. My mom was just like, you know what? She's like, those people are gonna. They're gonna keep saying no to you until one day you're gonna find yes. And that's the one that's actually gonna fit for you. That's gonna be perfect for you. Because you have prepared yourself with all this, you know, with all the doors closing in your face, and you're gonna keep pushing through until finally you find the perfect fit. And the funny thing is that WWE is my perfect fit. Like, I was told no so many times in the modeling industry. And yes, I got some great jobs here and there, but it never felt like home to me. And then finally WWE came. Like, it's like, yeah, I know I have family in the business, but it wasn't exactly my path. Right off the bat. My path was something I wanted to try something else. You know, I wanted to get into the modeling industry. I wanted to do that. And then for Some reason, it all led to me being right here in the W and D. You know, it was. It was all those no's that led me to where, like I said, fit perfectly. And this is where I sit perfectly. So, I mean, that's something I always, like, I even tell, like, my friends and stuff. It's like, you will find your perfect fit. Like, you can't just constantly, like, dwell on the nose. You take that no, you put it in your back, you remember it, and then you just feel that fire to keep going, and you'll find your perfect fit.

Oh, I love that you shared that. Because I truly believe that is the path to, you know, our purpose in life. I'm so grateful for all the no's. Like, can you imagine if all of your yeses would have happened, where you'd be right now?

Yeah, exactly, Exactly. Like, that's how I always think. I'm like, there's no. I have no growth in myself if I'm constantly being coddled and. Yes. And whatever, whatever. There's no growth in who I am. And I, like, I even thought, like, gosh, what if I would have been in the WWE when I was 18, 19, 20 years old? I would have not succeeded. I could have not have done it. You know what I mean? Definitely not. Like I'm right. I'm a totally different person now than I was then. And because of all the no's and the doors shut and all, you know, the stifled projects I've done, like, it's just, it's. They were all for a reason and all for a purpose. And, you know, I didn't give up. I stopped because why would, you know, I eventually found my path. I eventually found my yes.

Yeah, then they just evolve you into the powerful woman that you are today. And so I'm sure you're so grateful, like, just for all of those experiences and opportunities. So what's something right now that comes to mind that you're so incredibly grateful for?

Well, I know it sounds like cliche. First and foremost, always grateful for my health. Just especially, like in this business. I'm grateful for my health, but I am grateful for the platform I have with the wwe. You know, like, the fact that, you know, I did go through all the no's and being a plus size woman and just I appreciate every woman's shape and size regardless, you know, like, height, shape. I know everybody's like, oh, my God, you're just all the class size women. I'm like, no, I'm about every woman. Every single woman and the platform I get here in the WWE that I'm insanely grateful for. You know, like, this is my family here and they give me the opportunity to go out and like project with the positivity and like happiness on people. That's what I'm, that's like something I'm very grateful as of right now.

I love that. And you know, I want to talk about that because I, I believe that women have so many different ways of using platforms, but they need to get maybe even a bit more creative with it. So why do you think it's so important for no matter what women are doing and especially how you're doing it, I mean you're, you are, you know, using your platform, WWE as women's empowerment as well. Like, you're using it in so many different ways. So why is it important for women right now to use their voices and their platforms?

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Well, okay, so in sports right now, in the WWE, we like as a whole, the WWE is pushing women's empowerment big time. Just because like I feel like as of right now, in all of history, we have such a huge push as women, like, you see women just killing it. You know, you got Ronda Rousey, like, who completely sold out pay per views all over the world. Like, she main evented that like a woman took over a male dominated industry and just completely like killed it. You know, you have the women's US Soccer team constantly like on top and like taking over. So women need to know, like, they need to use their voice to not like settle for anything less than what they deserve. I just, I. I mean, it's something my mom's instilled in me since I was a young girl. Like, I think that's why I'm so, like, I get so much of talking about my mom. Sorry. I get. I'm so, like, so. I know, like, every time I say my mom, I just get up, choked up. I'm so driven to push for women because like seeing my mom, she was, you know, she immigrated from Germany when she was 16 years old. She was all by herself. Like the world turned their back on her. She just, she. Oh, like, oh, my mom. Sorry. Is insane. But she, you know, she continues to push through and like, she raised three children and she never, like, she worked her ass off. Sorry, her butt off. She constantly. She had like four different jobs and never asked for help. And like seeing her do that and the fact that all three of her kids are successful, healthy human beings and like, it just. That gives me so much hope. Like, I owe her that much. I owe every woman. Oh my God, stop. I owe every woman who pushed through the single moms, you know what I mean? The women who already had the world turn their back on them, who treat them like shit for them to pursue that. They have a voice like they are somebody and they should never settle for anything less than what they deserve. Sorry. Oh my God, I'm like a hot mess.

Never apologize. We. We love Cheers here. It's clarifying, right?

Yeah. I mean, but like, oh my, like when it comes to my mom, I was like, you know, she's so amazing.

I love that you share that because I think sometimes we get so caught up in our fears and our struggles and our obstacles. Yeah. And we forget that we are using our voices and we are fighting not only for our mothers and their grandmothers and the people who did not have voices before us, but we have the opportunity as females to truly change the course of history. I mean, our daughters are watching. All of these young girls are watching you guys. I mean, you have a doll after you in action figure, right? Like, how epically amazing is that? Like, how powerful.

Girl, girl, you don't even know. When I saw that, I. I just. Like, I dropped my phone. I literally dropped my phone on the floor and I lost my. Like, I couldn't even. The fact that, like, there's an action figure, and it was so anatomically correct. You know, they didn't. They didn't shave down the sides to make it look like all the other dolls. They, like, they kept those big curvy boobs and that big curvy butt in there. You know, like, all that makes me me in that action figure. Like, I mean, that is just. That that's huge. Like, little girls. And I'm not saying little girls. I grew up being a bigger girl. You know, I grew up being just a thicker girl, like, tall and thick. No, no younger girl is going to be able to. To feel that now. Like, I never saw a doll my size. You know, Barbie dolls were. I love playing with them, but I was just like, oh, you know, I'll never look like that. But now a little girl. Can girl see a doll that is, you know, a little curvier, curly hair, dark skin, you know, like, and be like, oh, my gosh, that looks just like me. Or that looks just my mom or that looks just like my sister. Like, you know, that that was. I mean, that's huge. And, you know, I mean, gosh, my niece, even my little niece, who. She's the sweetest heart and she's so beautiful, and, like, she's gonna grow up to be a tall girl. She's already, like, the 99th percentile for her age. She's already tiring over everybody. She's gonna be a tall, big girl. And, like, I hope she can, like, look back and look at my aunt did, like, look, there's, you know, the. The world that she can, you know, grow up in. And it could be something that's completely accepting of all differences, you know, especially for women, because women, we need that, and we need other women supporting each other, doing that.

Oh, my God, we're so grateful for you. So what is something that. If you had a billboard, this was it. The end of your life. You have a billboard. You could only write one message on there. What would it say?

Oh, my gosh. That's kind of a lot of pressure, I know. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. Well, I know it's so cliche and it's something that's close to my heart, but I'm always all about spreading Love. And, like, it's something that I've constantly said. Like, there's this one thing, you know, people are gonna. What is it? People are gonna love you and hate you for who you are. So always going, always go towards the love.

It always wins. Right? No matter what. It's like sometimes, yeah. So hard to choose it. But in the end, I swear, I mean, no matter what in my life, it's always one that is so, so beautiful. So I would love to know what is a question that you wish more people knew about you or that people would ask? What is something that you wish more people knew about you?

I wish more people knew about me. Well, so it's different because I'm on the WWE platform and people see me as a character. Like, Nia Jax is this big, strong, mean character that bullies all the girls around, you know, and then I do actually have another amazing platform through the WWE is Total Divas. And so they're actually going to see some. A different side of me, which. Which you said, like, the goofy, like, funny side, I guess. I mean, a question that I wish people would ask me is, like, like, what is my why? Like, exactly what you said earlier, like, what is my why? Like, what does drive me to do what I do every single day? You know, and it's something that I feel like anybody can relate to, and it's my family, obviously, but I wish people would know a little bit more because it is hard. It is different, like, in this. In this character, but I'm like, a big meanie. And, you know, little kids see you and they're just kind of like, oh, my gosh, she's so mean. And she beats up all my favorite people. I beat up all the little girls and, like, you know, But, you know, you wish people would, you know, what is your drive? What is that? What drives Nia Jackson? That's, you know, it's family. It's love. It's, you know, positivity. It's support. You know, I love empowering women, and I love the fact that I get, like, especially, like, on total divas, you'll get to see. I really do try to empower women through showing that we can all do it. Like, no matter what, you know, you should never hold yourself back because you think that you don't look a certain part or they only want a certain person. Like, you should always make them change their mind, you know, just because you don't think you fit it. Go and tell them that they need you because you are the perfect fit for what they want. You know what I mean?

Mm. And I love that you guys are getting so much more screen time. So what changed? Why did that happen? Was there a demand for it? How did that work?

Oh, yes, there was, girl. You know, social media is strong up in this era. So we had. There was a hashtag, give vivasachance. It was trending for three days on Twitter, and it was just. It was a huge social media, like, outbreak. Like, everybody's just going nuts because, you know, there was a time where the women weren't given as long of TV time as the men, you know, and we didn't get to showcase our athleticism and our talent. And so the fans were the ones who really pushed for it, who really wanted it. And so, you know, the WWE Universe, they really made it happen. And ever since then, like, it's just been, you know, the women have been at the forefront. You know, we're in there. We have Charlotte and Sasha, who have been invented numerous times. I've been. I've main evented Raw a couple times. You know, we've had women in cage matches, ladder matches, like, never before. So, you know, it's. It's crazy. It's. It's. I mean, I get to be a part of that, which is an insane thing to think of. You know, I get to. I get to be a part of this women's empowerment that we have, and it's amazing.

That is amazing. I love that. So what is something that. Let's go back to, you know, when.

You were.

Really pursuing this dream in this career. What is something that you would possibly, if you would go back and say to yourself, maybe something that you would go back and coach yourself around.

Oh, girl, this is something that, like, it's something that I'm always, like, preaching. But, you know, sometimes you preach stuff and you're like, oh, I should tell it to myself. Yeah, I should have gone back and said, yeah, I should have got. Yeah, I should have gone back and told myself to never change a thing about myself. You know, Like, I just constantly. And it was like I said, being so different. Like, it was a struggle. Like, I looked at some of the girls like, that I was working with next to, and I was like, oh, you know, look at her long straight hair, or look at that and look at this. And then I constantly try to try to fit in and do those things and change myself. And now I look back and I'm thinking, gosh, I wish I would have just. Just kept exactly who I was, because I was perfect. The way it was, you know, like. And that they hired me and wanted me for who I was and what I was in all of my glory. And I wish I would have gone back and told myself that.

I, I mean I love that advice. I literally feel, feel the exact same way. Because it's so crazy how if we are not ourselves, we don't actually attract and get those beautiful blessings that are meant for us. It's until we fully like live into who we are with everything that we think is not right with us. Which is exactly what makes us so right. So what's something about you that now you've learned to just love and embrace about yourself? That before you wished was different?

My hair. It's such a small thing but like I used to have like oh my gosh, growing up. My hair so thick and curly. And I grew up in a town where I grew up beach town. Carlsbad's all beachy and it was like blonde beautiful girls, like tan, blonde, beautiful girls running around with this straight gorgeous hair. And I would beg my mom to straighten my hair. I would beg her to take me to get it straightened. I would beg her to get. And she kept telling me no, your hair is beautiful. Your hair is beautiful the way it is. And I'd be like mom, no, I love it. I love their hair. I mean it just non stop. And then now like I think back, I'm like, oh my gosh, my hair is beautiful. Like why am I constantly trying to change myself? Like why couldn't I just, you know, listen and realize like, you know, that's something that it's me, it's who I am. It makes me, me, you know?

I know.

I mean it's all the differences.

Yeah, it's. And hair is a big thing.

It is like hair is a huge thing, right?

Yes. Especially in the wrestling world too. I used to always like look at their ha. I was younger, I was like oh my God, their hair. And now, now I feel you. It's like just embracing everything. It's so beautiful. So what is something for you? I know as females, in order to, you know, I feel like be able to really take the time for ourselves that we need to recharge. Especially you. Probably any time that you get for yourself is priceless. What are some boundaries that you have to set in order to maintain a, a somewhat healthy lifestyle and mindset?

Some boundaries for like I, I get.

Just things to say no to.

With, with work.

Yeah, with work or with friendships. I find a lot of women struggle with work Friendships, family. Like, are there certain things that you have to say no to in order to. Oh, just have some peace of mind and quiet time?

There's a lot of things. Like, it's unfortunate because I do have really good. I have amazing friends and amazing family, and there are times where I, you know, there are times where I only get, you know, two, three days off after being on the road for two months straight and, you know, not being able. Yeah. Not being in my bed. And there's times where I literally just have to turn my phone off or tell my mom, no, I can't fly home. I have to sit here in my own bed. And, you know, like, there, I actually have a couple friends who have gotten really upset with me because they will see me on social media being all over, you know, the world and doing this and doing that, and, you know, they're like, well, how come you're not hanging out over here and how come you're not doing this? And I said, I, you know, I'm busy. And it. This. What you see on social media is it's 99% my job, and I can't just, you know, get up and go. And I need that. I need that peace of mind where I can go home, do a little bit meditation, get some sleep, you know, go work out my own gym, play with my dog. I need that to be able to keep my sanity, you know, to know that, like, I can go on another three months on the road without being in my own bed. You know, it's just something that you have to sacrifice. And my good friends understand that and something. And, you know, other friends, other people have come to learn. It's just something that, you know, that's what I need to do for me, and it's just. It's difficult.

But I think that's really important for people to hear, though, because I don't care what you're doing. I don't care what career or dream you're pursuing. There are massive sacrifices. And I do believe the people who are going to support you in the long run are going to stay and they're going to understand and they're going to be that beautiful, you know, place that you can recharge. And sometimes we have to let those other people go. Right? So what is something. I know it's not easy, but how do you let. How do you let them go? What do you think of, like, how do you stay? And in that mindset, even though it's challenging and sometimes you feel like you're, I mean, I've felt like I'm not a good person, you know? How do you reset that?

Oh, a thousand percent. So, I mean, like, told me this growing up, I've been. I've never really taken anything from me. Like, I've always, like, sacrificed. Like, I'd want to do something, but then my friend would want to do it. And I always do what they want to do. And it was always like, my mom's, like, you've been like that your whole life. Like, where no matter what, you're always giving to somebody else before you ever take anything. And so finally, when it happened between. It happened between a friend, that was just like, I really, like, I'm not. I need to do something for myself. Like, I need my sanity. I need my center. Because what I do isn't easy. You know, it's not something that, like, everybody can do and in life in general gets crazy. And you need to be able to come back to your center, and you need to be able. I need to be able to feel like if I do need the time away, that I'm gonna have a friend there to lean on when I need them. So it kind of was just something where it was like, I'm sorry, but if you can't really help me and meet me in. In the middle, then maybe you. Maybe you weren't as good a friend as I thought you were. But if something. Things like that happen. And like, in life, I find it's something as you get older, you see people like, you grow up and you grow apart. You know, you're different. Like, we're constantly changing as human beings. So thankfully, that person is still my life and, you know, understood without my way. But it's just stuff that, you know, things like. Like, stuff like that happens, especially here, because, you know, like, before I was, you know, accessible and around people all the time, and I'm able to talk and pick up my phone whenever they call. But now it's like, I might be on a plane for 14 hours. I might be on a show. I might be, you know, filming things. Like, I can't always be accessible anymore and allowing that.

Right. Like finding that place where you're like, okay, I'm releasing this guilt, or I'm. I'm releasing this feeling and knowing that what you're doing is actually impacting so many people. Sometimes we have to let a couple people go to know that our life's mission is maybe to impact even more women, you know.

Yeah. And when you're not, and at the end of the Day, I've been told myself, I was like, if I'm not being good to myself, I'm not even gonna be a good friend to them.

Totally.

So, like, you know, like, being. I have to, like, make sure that, like, I'm right with me before anybody can. Like, I'm not gonna be beneficial to anybody if I'm not right.

Naya, I'm so grateful for you. I just want to take a minute to acknowledge you before we wrap, because I just. Number one, you. I feel like I've known you forever. You just have that energy and presence about you. Number two, thank you so much. Number two, I. I love what you're doing. I just think that you have such a powerful presence, and I think your message is going to just expand even more with people, and I think that you are an amazing role model and example. So thank you so much for coming on the podcast today, and I want.

To make sure so much for having me.

Everyone can find you, follow you. So where can we find you on television? Where can we find you on social media? Tell me what's exciting right now.

So Monday night raw is every Monday night on the USA Network at 8pm Eastern, and then I'm on Total Diva Wednesday night on the e. Network at 9pm Eastern as well. So. And then Twitter and. And Instagram. I am Nia Jax, wwe. So you can find me there. I'm everywhere.

I love it. I let's how it should be. And you guys, I will link that all up in the show notes. And. And one last question. I always end on a really. You are on a really brief elevator ride, okay? It's only like two or three floors. It's like 30 seconds long. And someone looks over at you, just a random stranger, and asks you, how can I make myself happy? What do you say?

How can I make myself happy? Okay, I'm gonna go back to it. I give it. Giving love and spreading happiness has always made me happier than I've ever, like, been doing anything for myself. Giving love and, like, doing what I can for others always makes somebody happy. I've always found that.

Amen. Thank you so much, Nya. And you guys, if you loved this episode as much as I did, make sure you share it with your friends. And until next time, earn your happy. Bye, everyone. Thank you guys so much for spending this time with me on the earn your happy podcast. I am so glad that you stopped by. If you could take one second to share this episode with someone you think would love it, that would be absolutely amazing. And we would be forever grateful. Also, please leave us a review if you feel so moved by going to itunes and leaving us an honest thought, an honest comment. Tell us what you think, tell us what you want to hear more of it would really help us out on our journey to helping thousands and thousands of people. Until then, don't forget to earn your happy. Thanks again guys. Bye bye.