Bloomberg Talks – WWE Superstar Talks Mental Health
Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Ashley Flair (Charlotte Flair), WWE Superstar and angel investor
Episode Overview
This episode explores the intersection of the booming global wellness industry and the growing importance of mental health in sports, particularly through the lens of women's athletics. WWE legend Charlotte Flair (Ashley Flair) shares her personal and professional journey into self-care, her experiences with injury and anxiety, and her new role as an angel investor and advocate for "Self Care is for Everyone."
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ashley Flair's Career Evolution & Mental Health Awakening
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Ashley Flair’s Transition:
- Despite enormous WWE success, her recent injury forced her to confront personal anxieties and the finite nature of an athlete's career.
- The shift from always embodying "perfection" as Charlotte Flair to embracing imperfection and vulnerability.
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Quote:
- "The character that I play, Charlotte Flair, is so perfect. And this past year...I've been able to connect with fans and realizing it's okay not to be okay."
— Ashley Flair (02:52)
- "The character that I play, Charlotte Flair, is so perfect. And this past year...I've been able to connect with fans and realizing it's okay not to be okay."
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Timestamp: [01:55–03:39]
2. Injury, Self-Perception & Finding New Purpose
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Mental Impact of Injury:
- Flair describes the mental turmoil after tearing her ACL and how imposter syndrome and negative self-talk affected her physical well-being.
- The realization that wrestling, though central to her identity, need not define her entire self-worth.
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Quote:
- "All I viewed myself was as a professional wrestler. Like, that's all I am. And that's not all I am. And I do have a voice. And maybe this is the start of something bigger for me."
— Ashley Flair (04:38)
- "All I viewed myself was as a professional wrestler. Like, that's all I am. And that's not all I am. And I do have a voice. And maybe this is the start of something bigger for me."
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Timestamp: [03:56–05:06]
3. Embracing Mental Health Advocacy and Self Care is for Everyone
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Angel Investment & Brand Partnership:
- Describes her journey from following the self-care brand as a fan to joining as an investor.
- Highlights due diligence and the importance of mission alignment: supporting accessible mental health tools and positive messaging in everyday apparel.
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Quote:
- "For me, wanting to have a diversified portfolio...where is the best place to put my money to help them grow?...Plus they have a six month campaign with Target already with Kleenex, which is an everyday product which you see our messaging on."
— Ashley Flair (06:43)
- "For me, wanting to have a diversified portfolio...where is the best place to put my money to help them grow?...Plus they have a six month campaign with Target already with Kleenex, which is an everyday product which you see our messaging on."
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Timestamp: [05:59–08:20]
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On Apparel as Awareness:
- Products like sweatshirts with simple affirmations ("you are enough") help normalize mental health conversations.
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Timestamp: [05:33–05:59]
4. Personal Mantras & Influences
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Message to Her Younger Self:
- If Ashley could advise her early-career self: “Just believe in yourself, be your own hero.”
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Family and Motivation:
- Wrestling wasn't her initial ambition; the journey took form supporting her brother, whose own struggles with addiction shaped her perspective.
- Recognizes how taboos around mental health, especially for men, have far-reaching impacts.
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Quote:
- "It's funny, I spent my whole life trying to save my little brother who ended up dying a couple months after I started, when ultimately he saved me and gave me this dream."
— Ashley Flair (10:52)
- "It's funny, I spent my whole life trying to save my little brother who ended up dying a couple months after I started, when ultimately he saved me and gave me this dream."
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Timestamp: [10:08–12:21]
5. Reflections on Progress in Women's Wrestling
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Changing the Game:
- Flair credits those who paved the way and shares how the women's division in WWE broke barriers through the "Give Divas a Chance" movement and the creation of the Four Horsewomen.
- She discusses achieving equal opportunities, main-eventing WrestleMania, and the broader surge in support and investment in women's sports.
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Quote:
- "What we were able to create is that women are capable of selling merchandise, putting people in seats, being top of the card, getting equal pay, equal opportunities in the ring."
— Ashley Flair (14:04)
- "What we were able to create is that women are capable of selling merchandise, putting people in seats, being top of the card, getting equal pay, equal opportunities in the ring."
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Timestamp: [13:16–15:20]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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"You have to give them the opportunity and the backing and the advertising. Perception is reality. And if you do that, then the audience follows."
— Ashley Flair (15:10–15:15) -
On using her platform for good:
"I want to become the person that I needed growing up and I felt like investing in self care for everyone was like the perfect step in that."
— Ashley Flair (09:45)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Ashley’s Journey in WWE & Shift to Self-Care: [01:38–03:39]
- Impact of Injury on Mental Health: [03:42–05:06]
- Role of Apparel and Affirmation Messaging: [05:33–06:20]
- Due Diligence & Investment in Self Care is for Everyone: [05:59–08:53]
- Personal Reflection & Family Inspiration: [10:08–12:21]
- Women's Progress in WWE & Equal Opportunity: [13:16–15:20]
Summary
Ashley Flair (Charlotte Flair) candidly shares her transformation from a champion wrestler coping with anxiety and injury to an impassioned advocate and investor for mental health. Through “Self Care is for Everyone,” she brings her brand, resources, and personal experiences to support accessible wellness for all, challenging the stigma that has long surrounded mental health in sports. From opening up about the pressures of perfection and loss, to highlighting systemic changes in women's athletics, Flair's conversation is a testament to vulnerability, resilience, and the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
