Page 11 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Fighting, Continued from page 5
can control as: our attitude, our ac-
tions, and our reactions.
cepted the fact there was nothing I “When you work on those or mas-
could do on my own, I was able to ter those response types, your world
ask for help,” said Gowen. around you will reflect that. I want
Gowen has been sober for over the students to think about those,”
13 years now. said Gowen.
“Best thing that’s ever happened Gowen also works on profes-
to me,” said Gowen. “Everything that sional development with the school
I do is rooted in my recovery.” staff, focusing on mental health, well-
Gowen applied to be on American ness, and self care.
Ninja Warrior, one day after the dead- “Staff needs all the support they
line. He got a call from casting and can get. It’s never been harder to be
was casted for Season 8. Gowen a teacher than now,” said Gowen.
made it to the third obstacle in the Gowen completed a school tour
2016 Indianapolis Qualifier. in the Wayne-Westland Community
“There really isn't anything fake Schools District, visiting: Edison,
or choreographed on American Wildwood, Elliott, Walker, Roosevelt,
Ninja Warrior. I had to rely on my Taft, Hamilton, Schweitzer, Hicks,
athletic ability with it,” said Gowen. and Graham.
“The greatest victory was it was the “The more I give away - time,
most watched run of Season 8. Get- money, messages, services - the
ting to connect with the audience more enriched my life becomes,”
and share my story, it was an awe- said Gowen. “Some of my most cher-
some experience.” ished work that I do is go back to
Gowen continues to share his Children’s Hospital in Detroit and
story and be an inspiration to others work with the social work team and
as a Youth Empowerment Speaker. oncology there. I get to know the fam-
“Being a motivational speaker or ilies, offer support, and be a light-
pro wrestler is not much of a differ- house for those battling childhood
ence to me. They’re both an avenue cancer.”
to share my story and serve the Gowen spends his time either on
same purpose,” said Gowen. stage at a speaking engagement, in
For the past 10 years, Gowel has the ring at a professional wrestling
traveled the country and worked show, instructing adaptive and non-
with over 100,000 students, teach- adaptive DDPYoga workouts, or
ers, and parents in America. He spending time with his wife Kelly and
works to inspire and lay out tools for their children.
these students to be successful not Over his 22 year career in pro
only in school, but outside of school wrestling, he has won over 45 cham-
as well. pionships.
“Life isn’t about what happens to “I like to accomplish, overcome,
us. Life is about how we respond to and set an example,” said Gowen. “I
what happens to us,” said Gowen. want to inspire people.”
“The main takeaway for the students If you want to see Gowen in ac-
is thinking about the things they can tion, be sure to purchase your tick-
control and not the things they can’t.” ets for The Hart of the Matter at
Gowen lists the three things we HYPE Athletics.
The Wayne Dispatch · October 2023 · 11