Pod Meets World – "Trish Stratus Meets World"

Podcast: Pod Meets World (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Air Date: November 10, 2025
Guests: Trish Stratus
Hosts: Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, Ryder Strong

Episode Overview

This episode takes listeners on a journey through the storied career of Trish Stratus, WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling icon, as she sits down with Danielle, Will, and Ryder. The conversation explores Trish's evolution from aspiring doctor to fitness model to the face of women's wrestling, her pioneering role in transforming the women's division, and the cultural shifts she helped ignite. The hosts also discuss personal and professional boundaries, family, ambition, and the nature of success, all with the warm, nostalgic tone fans expect from Pod Meets World.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trish’s Early Aspirations and the Unexpected Journey to Wrestling

• Academic Ambitions:
  • Trish planned to become a pediatrician, studying biology and chemistry at university.
    • “I wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to become a pediatrician…as tiny as I could remember.” (23:39)
• From University to Fitness Model:
  • A university strike led her to work at a gym, where she was discovered for fitness modeling.
    • “I was three years in and my university went on strike.” (24:28)
    • “Fitness modeling…was not really a thing [then]…they basically slapped us on the cover of magazines…” (25:28)
• Bridging into WWE:
  • Trish was a passionate wrestling fan growing up in Toronto. A chance studio encounter led to her sending demo material to WWE.
    • “I learned to wrestle…was thrown into this wrestling gym with all boys, and I wanted to be treated like the boys.” (28:41)

2. Pushing Through Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry

• Early Days & Audience Perception:
  • Trish describes her “green” phase and learning curve in the ring—being far from perfect, but determined to improve publicly week by week.
    • “I was pretty crappy in the ring for a little while…in the business we call you being green.” (31:50)
    • “They literally came on this journey where they saw me fall down, stand up again, dust myself off…” (32:09)
• Changing Narrative for Women Wrestlers:
  • Overcoming "puppies" chants and “pillow fight” matches, Trish and her peers started introducing more athletic, competitive, and respected wrestling for women, often in opposition to what male producers thought the audience wanted.
    • “We had to reprogram the audience. They were used to chanting, puppies.” (37:03, 37:16)
    • “We thought we were gonna trade those slaps and hair pulls for punches and for, like, chops.” (39:03)
    • “For a while we were the popcorn match, the bathroom break. Until we started to just deliver.” (39:07)

3. Standing Up for Principles in Wrestling’s Hyper-Sexualized Era

• Never Posed for Playboy:
  • Unlike many women in WWE at the time, Trish refused, staying true to herself despite pressure from management.
    • “It just, it’s just not for me…Vince, oh my God, hounded me like crazy.” (47:56, 49:00)
    • “No, I do not regret it...it’s just not my thing. And now…I couldn’t even imagine, to be honest.” (49:18)
• Rejecting Storylines:
  • Trish also turned down certain racy or non-wrestling storylines, sometimes facing in-ring consequences for her choices.
    • “I got stripped of the belt right away…shown that this was, you were being punished for your decision…” (50:24–50:46)
    • “I still stand by my decision…” (50:59)
• Industry Dynamics:
  • The cost of having boundaries in entertainment—hosts discussed how noncompliance often led to missed opportunities or punishment, but how important these stances become in the long run.
    • “Being a team player means doing whatever is asked of you…if you have any sort of boundaries, there will usually be some negative repercussion…” (51:10)

4. Cultural Impact and Wrestling World Evolution

• On Representation and Progress:
  • Trish’s journey became a blueprint for today’s women wrestlers, with a shift from “valets” to stars and champions.
    • “It would be impossible to be a women's wrestler and to not look back and say Trish Stratus was not one of the reasons…wanted to do it.” (66:57)
    • “It’s the people who have nothing to look at first that are the true pioneers...” (68:12)
• Advice to Young Talent:
  • “Find and stay as authentic as you can…when there’s that authenticity to the character, it resonates with the fans.” (57:54)
  • On longevity: “Do yoga…25 years and I barely…injuries that have sidelined me.” (56:33)

5. Balancing Life, Parenthoood, and Longevity

• Returning to Wrestling After Retirement:
  • Trish shared how she came out of retirement, after starting a family and running businesses, with her body still capable of high-level moves, crediting yoga and “calloused” resilience.
    • “I went back…had a cage match…And it’s the yoga…” (58:35–59:02)
    • “Now…because my body can, I’m trying things that I have never done before…a whole new move set nowadays.” (59:38)
• Perspective for Her Younger Self:
  • “Stay true to yourself always…enjoy the moment, be in the moment, smell the roses…when I’m with my kids, when I’m Mom, I’m Mom. And when I’m superstar, I’m W. Superstar. So it’s important.” (61:39–63:26)

6. Memorable, Lighthearted Moments

• Lookalike Banter:
  • Will and Trish joke about how often they are compared in appearance.
    • “Have you also been told somewhere around 30,000 times that we look alike?...It’s a massive honor…” (22:39)
• Hosts’ Wrestling Neophyte Experiences:
  • Ryder describes attending matches for the first time, surprised at the athleticism of the women and the complexity of wrestling’s culture and “language.”
    • “I thought the women were, frankly, better than the guys…more athleticism at the time…” (42:02)
• Playful Aspirations:
  • Danielle and Trish discuss possibly teaming up in a cage match; Trish expresses enthusiasm for joining "Dancing with the Stars" someday.
    • “Me and Danielle should have a cage match, but like, maybe as teammates.” (58:46)
    • “A thousand percent, I would love to…I love challenges! I thrive on challenge…” (65:04)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On role models in women's wrestling:
  • “It would be impossible to be a women's wrestler and to not look back and say that Trish Stratus was not one of the reasons…wanted to do it and laid the foundation.” — Will Friedle (66:57)
• On staying true amid pressure:
  • “No, I do not regret it…that is my decision. Stand by it.” — Trish Stratus (49:18)
• On learning curves in wrestling:
  • “They literally came on this journey where they saw me fall down, stand up again, dust myself off…” — Trish Stratus (32:09)
• On shifting the narrative:
  • “We had to reprogram the audience…They were used to chanting, puppies.” — Trish Stratus (37:03)
• Advice for young wrestlers:
  • “Find and stay as authentic as you can…when there’s that authenticity to the character, it resonates with the fans.” — Trish Stratus (57:54)
• On legacy and savoring the present:
  • “Stay true to yourself always…enjoy the moment, be in the moment, smell the roses…” — Trish Stratus (61:39; 63:26)

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• 22:28 – Trish joins the show; Will jokes about lookalike comments
• 23:39–26:49 – Trish details her academic background and accidental modeling career
• 27:00–29:59 – How Trish got into wrestling and the landscape for women at the time
• 31:50 – Discussing initial struggles and growth on live television
• 37:03–40:17 – Breaking out of oversexualized roles and initiating change for women wrestlers
• 47:56 – Choosing not to pose for Playboy and standing by her ethics
• 52:20 – Most underrated wrestler: Natty Neidhart
• 54:51–58:00 – Advice for young talent, value of yoga, juggling family and career
• 59:38–61:27 – Returning to wrestling, physical capacity with age
• 61:39 – Words of wisdom to her younger self
• 65:04 – Would Trish ever do Dancing with the Stars? Enthusiastic yes!

Episode Tone & Style

Warm, nostalgic, and full of playful banter. The hosts’ reverence for Trish and her trailblazing status is clear, but so is their appreciation for her candor, humor, and resilience. The wrestling world is painted as both harsh and full of camaraderie, with Trish’s journey illustrating the rewards of authenticity and perseverance.

For Your Ears Only

Listeners who grew up with Boy Meets World or wrestling in the ‘90s/2000s will find this episode especially resonant. The conversation is insightful for anyone interested in personal growth, the fight for equity in the workplace, or behind-the-scenes show business realities. Trish’s advice, anecdotes, and legacy stand as both a time capsule and a guide for the future.

Tip: To hear Trish’s stories in her own words and catch the hosts’ signature chemistry, check out the episode at the timestamps provided for each topic above!