Leave me a note-I'd love to hear from you!

What happens when life throws punches harder than the wrestling ring ever could?

In this episode, I’m catching up with Jay Smith who was actually one of my students when I was a first-year teacher back in 2002. Fast forward 20+ years, and Jay's an Army veteran, professional wrestler, dad, and someone who’s walked through some really hard stuff.

We talk about everything what it’s like to fight for a marriage that doesn’t make it, how divorce shifts everything, co-parenting well with this ex, and how wrestling became more than just a sport it became a release.

Jay opens up about the anger he used to carry, the walls he built, and what it’s taken to break them down. It's about finding ways to rise and find joy even though life's toughest punches.

And now, after years of serving in the military, Jay's learned the power of resilience and growth.

What you'll learn from CJ:

• Sports has always been my thing.
• I suppress a lot of feelings, but I try to find the good.
• Wrestling became my outlet for anger.
• I wanted to work on my marriage despite challenges.
• Unconditional love is a profound realization.
• I learned to act off logic instead of emotion.
• Always hunt for the good stuff in every situation.
• Resentment can build walls in relationships.
• Co-parenting requires communication and understanding.
• Finding joy is essential for personal fulfillment.

Jay's Words That Stay With Us:

• “It was my darkest time in my life.”
• “Always hunt the good stuff.”
• “Be patient with yourself.”
  

Chapters
00:00 Reconnecting After Years
03:20 Life Journey and Military Experience
06:31 Marriage Beginnings and Challenges
09:15 The Hardships of Divorce
12:37 Emotional Terrain Post-Divorce
15:23 Transformation and Resilience
18:36 Co-Parenting and Family Dynamics
21:28 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
24:24 Final Thoughts and Reflections
29:10 Connecting Through Wrestling: A Shared Passion
41:26 Jay's Inspiring Journey Through Adversity
41:55 The Power of Commun

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Hidden Chapters!

If today's episode moved you, please consider
✅ Sharing this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
💭 Hidden Chapters Survey:
https://forms.gle/3jky19mZCdHUV4J1A

❤️I would love to hear from you!

📫 Join me on Substack for deeper connection or to continue the conversation on each episode and receive the weekly newsletter "The Next Chapter Notes"

💬 Leave me a voice message on: https://www.speakpipe.com/HiddenChapters

☕️ Want to support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/hiddenchapters

Let's stay connected: 🔗

📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast

📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters

Got a story to share or want to be a guest?

💌 Email me: [email protected]
🎙️ Be a guest? Apply h...