Podcast
Boots to Boots
Hosted by Deonna Purrazzo & Steve Maclin · EN
Boots to Boots explores life’s biggest transitions and identity shifts — from combat boots to wrestling boots, and every pair in between. Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Steve Maclin, USMC combat veteran turned professional wrestler, and Deonna Purrazzo, multi-time women’s world champion, the show dives into the stories of athletes, veterans, and everyday people redefining who they are when one chapter ends and another begins.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Boots to Boots | The Last of a Dying Breed? Steve Gibki Talks Wrestling and Work Ethic
2d ago00:25:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Boots to Boots, we sit down with professional wrestler and fitness entrepreneur Steve Gibki.Steve and Deonna look back on their early days training together at Team Adams, traveling across the country for independent wrestling shows, and learning what it takes to survive in professional wrestling.We also preview Battle for the Brave on June 6 in Rahway, New Jersey, where Steve will compete in the first-ever Battle for the Brave Gauntlet Cup. As a local competitor with family members who have served, he shares why supporting veterans and first responders through this event means so much to him.This episode is about discipline, sacrifice, entrepreneurship, and chasing your goals without losing sight of who you are.🎙️ Watch or listen now on Boots to Boots.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | The Importance of Highlands Impact Aid — A Conversation with New Jersey State Senator Anthony M. Bucco
1w ago00:26:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Boots to Boots, we sit down with New Jersey State Senator Anthony M. Bucco, who represents the 25th Legislative District and currently serves as Senate Republican Leader in the New Jersey Senate. We discuss the Highlands Act, school funding, and how state policy impacts local communities, families, taxpayers, and students across New Jersey. Senator Bucco breaks down the purpose behind the Highlands legislation, the financial challenges many municipalities now face, and what the future may hold for towns affected by these policies.🎙️ Watch or listen now on Boots to Boots.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | S2 E16 | The Marine Rapper on Military Service, Billboard Hits & Giving Back to Veterans
2w ago01:03:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Boots to Boots, we sit down with Raymond Lott, better known to the world as "The Marine Rapper," to talk about his incredible journey from the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan to the top of the Billboard charts.Raymond opens up about his 10 years of service as a U.S. Marine Combat Correspondent, the raw realities of transitioning back to civilian life, and how he turned to rap as a form of telling stories. We discuss his passion for building a community that champions veteran artists, the hustle behind his multi-platinum success, and what it truly means to use your voice.This conversation is about legacy, creative resilience, and proving that your story doesn’t end when you hang up the uniform; sometimes that’s exactly where the next major chapter begins.🎙️ Watch or listen to the full episode now on Boots to Boots.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | Kaia McKenna Represents Her Firefighter Family at Battle for the Brave
3w ago00:13:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Boots to Boots, we sit down with professional wrestler Kaia McKenna to talk about family legacy, professional wrestling, and what it means to represent first responders at Battle for the Brave on June 6 in Rahway, New Jersey.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | S2 E14 | From Wrestlers to Promoters — Building Battle for the Brave
3w ago00:19:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Boots to Boots, we take you behind the scenes of building Battle for the Brave — the first professional wrestling event we’ve ever promoted ourselves.We talk about the reality of becoming promoters for the first time: the stress, the challenges, the unexpected problems, and everything we’ve learned while trying to bring this event to life. From booking talent and organizing the card to balancing the business side of wrestling, this process has given us a completely new perspective on the industry we’ve spent our lives in.We also break down the matches we’re most excited for, why certain moments on the card mean so much to us personally, and why we believe this event supporting veterans and first responders will make every challenge worth it in the end.Battle for the Brave takes place June 6 in Rahway, New Jersey, benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.🎙️ Watch or listen now on Boots to Boots.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | Rich Swann on Sobriety, Comebacks & Finding Purpose Again in Wrestling
May 400:35:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Boots to Boots, we sit down with professional wrestler Rich Swann to talk about his journey through sobriety, resilience, and rebuilding his life both inside and outside the ring.Rich opens up about the challenges he faced early in his career, the moment he realized something had to change, and how choosing sobriety transformed the way he approaches wrestling, family, and his future. We also discuss his passion for music, staying grounded in a demanding industry, and what it means to step into the ring with a renewed sense of purpose.We also look ahead to June 6 in Rahway, New Jersey, where Rich will be part of the Battle for the Brave event supporting veterans and first responders.This conversation is about accountability, growth, and proving that your story doesn’t end when life gets hard — sometimes that’s where the comeback begins.🎙️ Watch or listen to the full episode now on Boots to Boots.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | S2 E12 | The Voice of ROH — Bobby Cruise on Loyalty, Legacy & the Return of Ring of Honor
Apr 2701:19:50Tap to summarizeFrom the rebirth of Women of Honor to being the voice of of Ring of Honor — this is ROH’s story through the eyes of the voice who lived it. For more than two decades, he has been the voice that welcomed fans to the ring — and one of the few people who has witnessed every era of Ring of Honor from the inside.In this episode of Boots to Boots, Bobby Cruise takes us through the evolution of ROH — from the early days of independent wrestling, to the rise of the Pure wrestling style, to the uncertainty that came when the company closed its doors in 2021.We also reflect on the creation and growth of Women of Honor, and what it took to bring that division to life — from the first opportunities given to women in ROH to the foundation that helped shape today’s women’s wrestling landscape. Bobby shares his perspective on watching that movement grow, and the role so many women — including Deonna — played in building something that would last.Finally, we talk about the emotional moment when ROH found new life, what it means to see the brand continue to evolve, and why its legacy still matters to wrestlers and fans alike.This conversation is about history, perseverance, and the people who helped build Ring of Honor — era by era.🎙️ Watch the full episode now on Boots to Boots.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | S3 E11 | Her Journey Back to the Ring — Taryn Terrell Returns to TNA
Apr 2000:45:36Tap to summarizeFormer Knockouts Champion Taryn Terrell is back in professional wrestling — and this time, her story is about more than just the ring.After stepping away from TNA in 2017 to focus on motherhood and her growing family, Taryn built a new life outside of wrestling — pursuing acting, running marathons, and navigating the challenges of living with Hashimoto’s disease. She returned briefly in 2021 with the NWA, but now she’s back in TNA with a renewed perspective and a new purpose.In this episode of Boots to Boots, Taryn shares what it felt like to walk back through the curtain in her hometown of New Orleans, how motherhood changed her priorities, and what she learned about herself during the years she spent away from wrestling.She also opens up about managing her health, balancing family and career, and what this next chapter means as she prepares for the future in the Knockouts division.This conversation is about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to come back stronger.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | S2 E 10 | Knocked Out at TNA Sacrifice — Steve Maclin’s Injury, Recovery & What Happens Next
Apr 1300:33:33Tap to summarizeAt TNA Sacrifice, just three minutes into the main event, Steve Maclin was knocked out after a hard shot from Mike Santana — and the referee made the call to stop the match.In this episode of Boots to Boots, Stephen and Deonna sit down to talk honestly about what happened that night, how he’s feeling now, and the moments behind the scenes that fans didn’t see — from the referee stopping the match, to the people who helped get him to the hospital, to what Deonna was experiencing while it all unfolded.This conversation is about recovery, resilience, and the reality of life in professional wrestling — when the unexpected happens.We also share important updates on our upcoming Battle for the Brave show supporting veterans and first responders.If you’ve ever faced a setback, an injury, or a moment that forced you to slow down, this episode is for you.
Transcribe →Boots to Boots | S2: E9 | From Air Force to Emarosa — Bradley Walden’s Journey
Apr 600:24:21Tap to summarizeThis week on Boots to Boots, we sit down with Bradley Walden, lead singer of the band Emarosa and a United States Air Force veteran who deployed to Iraq.Bradley shares his journey from growing up in a military family, to serving his country, to finding a new purpose through music.In 2013, Bradley joined Emarosa following the departure of vocalist Jonny Craig — stepping into a challenging role and helping guide the band through a major evolution in sound. From post-hardcore roots to soulful R&B influences and eventually synth-pop and pop rock on albums like Peach Club and Sting, his story is one of reinvention, resilience, and creativity.We also explore a unique connection between music and wrestling. Bradley talks about how professional wrestling influenced his love of performance — and shares the story of his uncle, who wrestled in the territories during the 1980s.Bradley and Emarosa are preparing for the release of their new album, High Horse Heaven, dropping April 24, 2026, and will be hitting the road for a summer tour in support of the record.This episode is about transition, identity, and what it means to build a new life after service — lessons that resonate far beyond music.
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