Question and answer with Honey

•  Why did you start wrestling?

Well, I had been thinking that I would like to try wrestling another girl since my early teens, but I was not brave enough to do anything about it. I had never been a sporty person and was always the last person to get picked for team sports at school, and had no confidence in my physical abilities. Early in 2004, when I was living in Japan , a friend of mine was using my laptop, and found loads of wrestling websites in the history. (The very same websites which I have now worked for, like sleeperkidsworld.com, webkitten.com, dtwrestling.com). This friend was really amazed that I was interested in female wrestling, and encouraged me to contact some Japanese lady wrestlers and get training from them. Without this friend's encouragement, I would never have made a start on my wrestling career and would probably still be an elementary school teacher! Japan is a great place if you are interested in wrestling – there are probably more resources there than anywhere else in the world. Japanese people also don't think you're strange if you're interested in female wrestling – very important!

•  How is the wrestling scene different in the various countries you have visited?

In Japan they take pro wrestling very seriously. The girls train extremely hard and there is no sloppiness in their training. I know the girls on the pro circuit can only survive for a couple of years working full time as it takes such a toll on their bodies.

In the UK there are a fair amount of pro wrestling federations and there are a few fantastic lady wrestlers such as Pippa L'Vinn (who I have been lucky enough to train with), Shelby Beach, and Klondyke Kate (I have been to her wrestling school too) who tour and do the wrestling shows. But generally, it is hard to find somewhere to train, especially in the south-east, and it is hard to find other women who are interested in wrestling, compared with other places.

In the US , it is relatively easy to find wrestling schools, and there are more women interested in wrestling than in the UK . There is more work available making wrestling videos than anywhere else, also.

•  What countries have you visited so far?

Aside from the above mentioned countries, this year I have visited Italy and Turkey , for wrestling purposes. Other countries I have been to for tourism purposes are: France , Spain , Germany , Holland , Belgium , Malta , India , Malaysia , Australia , and French Polynesia .

•  Do you have a martial arts background?

No. I was not physically active at all before starting pro wrestling training. Recently I have started training in kick boxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu, but I am just a beginner. I would like to sample all the martial arts if I can!

•  Do you work out a lot?

Believe it or not I had not stepped inside a gym in my life before January 2005. This year, and summer in particular, I have been working out every day when I don't have wrestling activities to do, as I want to increase my upper body strength and want to look more toned, not just skinny.

•  Do you have any other jobs beside wrestling?

When I first started session wrestling in December 2004, I was an office worker. I had been back in the UK for a few months, after living in Japan , and was still unsure about what I wanted to do, after being away for so long. But I had such a demand for sessions, I quit my job after a week. I have been wrestling full time since then.

Prior to this, I worked as an elementary/ primary school teacher.

I am now thinking about my future and what I should do, as I don't want to return to teaching after I retire from wrestling. So I am returning to university, in London , this autumn for part-time postgraduate study.

•  What are your favourite wrestling holds?

I don't have any particular favourites, but I most enjoy using the holds that I have learned most recently. I love looking for and learning new pro wrestling holds to do. I get bored using scissors over and over again!

•  Have you ever been knocked out while wrestling?

I have never been knocked out cold for real, but I have been made to feel very very dizzy, plenty of times!

•  How much can you lift at the gym?

The weights I can lift with my upper body are not impressive as yet, but I'm working on it! I can currently leg press 150 lbs without difficulty, but am increasing that weight all the time.

•  Why are you always in the USA , and do you plan on moving there?

Although the UK has many good points, I get really bored if I have to be there all year round. I am lucky enough to have friends to stay with in Orange County , California , so I currently spend about half my time there, and the other half in England . I may apply for a work visa to the US , next year, but have no concrete plans to move there yet.

•  Who has been your favourite opponent to wrestle?

This is a hard question, as I have not wrestled any woman whom I did not enjoy wrestling. Two of my favourites are Pippa L'Vinn, and Hollywood . They are both super experienced and can pull off any combination of complicated holds.

•  Why won't you wrestle topless?

I'm sure I could sell a lot more videos if I made topless wrestling videos, but there are various reasons why I don't want to.

I want to be taken seriously as someone who can wrestle, despite being petite and feminine looking.

I don't keep my wrestling as a secret from my family, and would like to continue being open with them!

I would like more women to get into wrestling, and I think seeing someone who has been successful from making only clothed wrestling videos can be an inspiration to them. When I first started trying to get wrestling work in the UK , the only work available was topless or nude stuff, but I refused to do it. This is very disheartening and off-putting for women wishing to get into wrestling as a sport. There should be an alternative.

•  Have you ever had any wrestling injuries?

I have not broken any bones as yet. I do feel that it is only a matter of time, as most of the female wrestlers I know who have been doing it for a few years, have had broken bones. I have had severe bruising however, and have been to Casualty (A&E) once for suspected cracked ribs, which turned out to be very bruised intercostal muscles, which took a couple of months to fully recover from.

•  What outfit do you prefer to wrestle in?

Given the choice, I prefer wearing leotards as I don't have to worry about the bikini falling off, and can fully concentrate on my wrestling, not on wardrobe malfunctions! If I am wrestling in a ring I prefer to wear wrestling boots if I can.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE HONEY TO ANSWER ON HERE, PLEASE EMAIL HER AT HONEY@WRESTLINGHONEY.COM

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