The Nikki & Brie Show – ICYMI: Nattie Neidhart’s “Last Hart Beating”

Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Nikki & Brie Garcia
Guest: Natalya Neidhart (“Nattie”)

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode celebrates the release of WWE superstar Natalya Neidhart’s memoir, Last Hart Beating. Nikki and Brie Garcia welcome their longtime friend and wrestling colleague to discuss her writing process, wrestling family legacy, overcoming doubt and hardship, and finding true success beyond titles and records. The conversation is equal parts emotional, entertaining, and motivating, filled with stories of friendship, vulnerability, and inspiration for listeners of all backgrounds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Natalya’s Memoir Release

• The episode marks a milestone: the launch day of Nattie’s book, Last Hart Beating.
• Natalya shares her excitement, nervousness, and gratitude, reflecting on months of anticipation and self-doubt about how the book would be received.
  • Quote: "I woke up today, like, almost in tears of joy...I hope people like it. I hope that they get the story." (03:28 – 03:47)

2. Support from the Locker Room & Friends

• Natalya reveals she sent her manuscript to several women in the WWE locker room for feedback (Nia, Liv, Bianca, Beth Phoenix, Carmella, Bayley, Maxine).

• Each woman found different meaning in her story, reinforcing the book’s universal appeal and helping Natalya cope with release anxiety.

  • Quote: “Art is interpretation...the girls in the locker room, their support...kept me calm about how people will receive the book.” (05:00 – 05:18)

3. The Writing Journey: Vulnerability and Liberation

• Natalya describes writing as cathartic and liberating, especially when confronting complex relationships (notably with her father).

• She emphasizes the importance of honesty and not omitting difficult chapters, aiming to help others heal by sharing her struggles.

  • Quote: "It was so liberating writing about our experience and just our relationship. Even if it was hard, right?" (07:19)
  • Quote: “If you’re going to start leaving out all these tough chapters, then why the hell are you writing the book?” (17:49)

4. Redefining Success & Thriving

• Moving beyond wrestling accolades, Natalya advocates for a broader definition of success focused on personal fulfillment, resilience, and thriving—not just surviving.

• She shares lessons learned: being the “least likely” in her wrestling dynasty to “make it” and her determination to be the first not to leave the business broken.

  • Quote: “Winning is being able to look at yourself in the mirror and not being broken emotionally, and not being broken physically…living your life on your own terms.” (13:58–14:40)
  • Quote: “We’re not survivors. We’re people that are thriving.” (09:49)
  • Quote: “Why not me? Why can't I write a book … or chase my crazy dream?” (14:52–15:18)

5. Healing, Hope, & Impact Beyond Wrestling

• Nikki asks what Natalya hopes fans—wrestling and non-wrestling alike—will take away.

• Natalya emphasizes healing, hope, and the idea that her journey can be a “handbook” for others through hard times or self-doubt.

  • Quote: “If my journey can be a handbook in somebody else's survival, if it can help someone get through the darkest times of their life—then it was all worth it.” (12:00)

6. Family Legacy, Forgiveness, and Heart

• Natalya opens up about her connection to the legendary Hart family, the pressures of legacy, and being the “heartbeat” of a wrestling dynasty.

• Writing about her father and husband TJ’s struggles and triumphs allowed for forgiveness and underscored the book’s message of hope.

  • Quote: “In a family that’s done everything … I was the least likely to make it… But I was determined to be the first in my family not to leave this business broken.” (13:25)
  • Quote: “In writing this book, I really forgave my dad… he did the best that he could.” (18:26)

7. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Foreword

• Natalya shares how The Rock wrote her foreword—not only due to their shared multi-generational wrestling heritage but also as a symbol of standing on her own.

• The Rock's questions about “legacy” helped her shape the book's ending.

  • Quote: “He jumped at the chance to help me…he’s one of the busiest guys on the planet, but the busiest people are always the ones that make the time.” (23:42–24:10)
  • Quote: “He helped me with actually the ending of the book… What does legacy mean to you?” (24:10)

8. Shared Journeys and Sisterhood

• The hosts and Natalya reminisce about their early years together, supporting and pushing each other.

• Natalya reads an emotional excerpt about Nikki & Brie from her book (29:13–31:56), highlighting the Bella twins’ work ethic, business acumen, and how they made her feel beautiful and accepted.

  • Quote: "[The Bellas] made me feel better about myself, like I wasn't an ugly duckling...they taught me about storylines and how to pitch ideas…They were right. Communication is everything." (30:50–31:58)

9. Coping with Vulnerability and Revisiting Painful Memories

• Natalya discusses the challenge of revisiting traumatic childhood memories and TJ’s life-changing injury while writing the memoir—but insists those parts are crucial for readers to see hope after darkness.

  • Quote: “There’s a lot of hope that comes from it. I think the world needs a lot more hope.” (20:43)

10. Affirmation for Listeners: "Why Not Me?"

• Natalya chooses “Why not me?” as her inspirational motto for the book tour and for listeners everywhere.

  • Quote: “Why not me? ... Everyone put that on your mirrors, right?” (42:06–42:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Success & Legacy:
  • "Success isn’t just a great storyline or winning a championship … Now I realize that I want people to look at themselves and go, why not me?" – Natalya (14:44)
  • "I’ve said it before, but I think it’s worth saying—everything I have in my life is because of professional wrestling, and that includes my relationships." – Natalya (35:00)
• On Honesty & Perfectionism:
  • “Can we all improve on everything? Like, I analyze a lockup I could have done better, but the people loved it … Give yourself credit for doing such a great job.” – Natalya to Nikki (39:04)
• On Sisterhood:
  • “We all needed each other. We needed you, Natty, as much as you needed us…” – Brie (34:29)
• Natalya reading from her book:
  • “They were the first girls at practice every day. They worked their asses off and they were the last ones to leave…they made me feel better about myself.” (30:30–31:25)
• Affirmation:
  • “Why not me?” – Natalya (42:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Memoir Launch Reactions – 03:28–04:59
• Getting Locker Room Feedback – 04:59–05:18
• On Writing for Herself & Family – 06:31–07:54
• Defining Success & Thriving – 09:49–10:03, 12:00–13:25
• Nikki’s Reflections on Impact vs. Winning – 16:00–17:24
• Coping with Difficult Memories in Writing – 17:49–19:40
• Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson’s Role in the Book – 22:08–24:10
• Reading Book Excerpt about the Bella Twins – 29:13–31:58
• Family Legacy and Self-Acceptance – 36:45–40:18
• Book Tour Details and Where to Buy – 40:29–41:23
• Nattie's Motto: Why Not Me? – 42:06–42:25

Takeaways for Listeners

• Last Hart Beating is about more than wrestling—it’s about family, resilience, and finding worth in oneself.
• Natalya’s story is a roadmap for overcoming doubt, embracing vulnerability, and redefining success.
• The Bella twins’ and Nattie’s friendship is a testament to the power of female support and camaraderie in tough industries.
• Anyone—wrestling fan or not—can find hope, validation, and inspiration in Natalya’s journey.

How to Connect & Get the Book

• Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores
• Book tour and info: lasthartbeatingbook.com
• Watch video snippets: Nikki & Brie’s YouTube and social channels
• Podcast hotline: Call 833-GARCIA for fan messages

Affirmation to Remember:
“Why not me?” – Let Natalya Neidhart’s question inspire you to take your own leap—whatever your dream may be.