The Nikki & Brie Show: "Nattie Neidhart: The Last Hart Beating"
Date: November 3, 2025
Guest: Natalya "Nattie" Neidhart
Main Theme: An intimate conversation with WWE superstar Natalya Neidhart about her just-released memoir, legacy, vulnerability, and the importance of thriving rather than just surviving—sprinkled with plenty of friendship, wrestling lore, and heartfelt laughter.
Episode Overview
In this celebratory episode, Nikki & Brie Garcia welcome their longtime friend and wrestling legend Natalya "Nattie" Neidhart for the launch of her memoir The Last Hart Beating. The trio explores family, perseverance, overcoming hardship, and redefining success. Natalya opens up about her family’s wrestling legacy, struggles with her late father, the meaning of impact over accolades, and being the first woman to carry the Hart family torch—while readers of her book have already found it healing and inspiring.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Natalya’s Memoir Release and Emotions
[01:45–07:09]
- Natalya describes waking up "in tears of joy" on her release day, filled with both excitement and anxiety about how her story will be received.
- She sent early drafts to fellow wrestlers (Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Beth Phoenix, Carmella, Bayley, Maxxine) and found comfort in their positive, unique interpretations.
- “Art is interpretation... it meant something different to all of them.” – Natalya [05:09]
The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling
[06:20–09:24]
- Brie and Nikki praise Natalya’s ability to recount heartfelt and funny stories, both in and out of the ring.
- Natalya shares how being a "recovering people pleaser" shaped her approach, and this book was intentionally written for herself first, leading to liberation.
- “If I wrote the book for me, at least one person would be happy with it.” – Natalya [07:20]
- She reflects on writing candidly about her complicated relationship with her father, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, underlining growth and healing through truth.
The Structure and Impact of the Memoir
[08:36–09:24]
- The memoir is intentionally written like a cinematic storyline, to keep readers engaged chapter after chapter.
- Natalya addresses relationships—good, bad, and complex—and how they shape who we become.
- “We're not survivors. We’re people that are thriving.” – Natalya [10:14]
Defining Success on Your Own Terms
[16:24–20:27]
- Nikki asks what Natalya hopes readers take away; Natalya hopes her journey becomes a “handbook” for facing life’s challenges and finding healing.
- “Winning is being able to look at yourself in the mirror and not being broken emotionally... to live your life on your own terms.” – Natalya [18:28]
- She encourages listeners to redefine success, focus on happiness, and chase big dreams, even if they seem unlikely.
- “Why not me?” – Natalya [16:52, 48:21]
Emotional Growth Through Writing
[22:17–25:43]
- Brie draws parallels between writing a memoir and reliving the emotional highs and lows of reality TV.
- Natalya describes the anxiety of exposing vulnerable parts of her life, especially about her father and her husband TJ’s career-ending injury.
- “In writing this book, I really forgave my dad… he did the best that he could.” – Natalya [23:52]
- The book threads hope throughout, emphasizing light after grief.
The Rock’s (Dwayne Johnson) Foreword
[28:14–30:26]
- Natalya recounts asking Dwayne Johnson to write the foreword. He was enthusiastic and helped her define “legacy,” which helped her write the book’s conclusion.
- “He made the time... the busiest people, they always are the ones that make the time.” – Natalya [30:25]
- Dwayne and Natalya are both third-generation wrestling superstars, connecting deeply through shared family legacy.
Reflections on Nikki’s Recent Match & Wrestling Legacy
[30:27–34:47]
- Natalya gives detailed, loving feedback on Nikki’s recent match with Roxanne, underlining that fan connection and impact matter more than technical “perfection.”
- “It was a very elaborate match... and I loved how the finish went down... you told a great story.” – Natalya [32:49]
- Nikki and Brie emphasize how much Natalya's honesty and support mean to them, especially backstage.
Natalya Reads a Memoir Excerpt about the Twins
[35:32–38:19]
- Natalya reads a heartfelt passage about her first impressions of Nikki and Brie in WWE developmental, highlighting their grit, kindness, and business acumen.
- “They made me feel better about myself... I began to feel as beautiful as I could.” – Natalya reading from her book [37:14]
The Meaning of the Hart Family Legacy
[42:24–44:49]
- Brie calls Natalya “the heartbeat of the family,” praising her for elevating the Hart legacy.
- Natalya reflects on her place as a Hart woman, the weight of expectation, and the journey to self-worth.
- “The biggest pressure anyone put on me was coming from me.” – Natalya [44:49]
Affirmation and Closing Thoughts
[48:11–48:40]
- Natalya closes with her guiding motto: “Why not me?”, encouraging listeners to aspire boldly.
- Nikki and Brie express deep gratitude and pride in their enduring sisterhood with Natalya.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “Art is interpretation... it meant something different to all of them.” – Natalya, on sharing her memoir with fellow wrestlers [05:09]
- “If I wrote the book for me, at least one person would be happy with it.” – Natalya [07:20]
- “We're not survivors. We’re people that are thriving.” – Natalya [10:14]
- “Winning is being able to look at yourself in the mirror and not being broken emotionally... to live your life on your own terms.” – Natalya [18:28]
- “Why not me?” – Natalya [16:52]; repeated as her mantra [48:21]
- “...I realized, in a family that’s done everything... I was the least likely to make it, and I’m still standing.” – Natalya [16:52]
- “The biggest pressure that anyone put on me was coming from me.” – Natalya [44:49]
- “Everything I have in my life is because of professional wrestling, and that includes my relationships.” – Natalya [42:11]
- “When I say professional wrestling has given me everything, I truly mean it.” – Natalya [42:19]
- “Why can't I write a book? Why can't I do a documentary?... Even if you fall flat on your ass, you’ll feel so great chasing your dream.” – Natalya [19:54]
Memorable Moments & Emotional Highs
- Natalya’s anxiety and ultimate liberation in telling difficult family truths in her memoir [07:10–09:24]
- The moving excerpt, where she credits the Bella twins with helping her grow inside and outside the ring [35:32–38:19]
- The affirmation “Why not me?” as the rallying cry for anyone feeling unlikely to succeed [48:21]
- Heartfelt back-and-forths reminiscing about wrestling, sisterhood, the power of mentorship, and the difficulties of living up to a legendary surname [various, esp. 41:05–46:34]
Important Timestamps
- [01:45] Natalya’s release day jitters and excitement
- [05:09] Locker room reactions to the manuscript
- [10:14] “We’re not survivors. We’re thriving.”
- [16:52–20:27] Redefining success and the message behind the memoir
- [22:42] Writing about pain, forgiveness, and hope
- [28:14] How The Rock became involved in the book
- [32:49] Natalya’s analysis of Nikki’s recent match
- [35:32] Natalya reads about Nikki & Brie from her memoir
- [44:49–46:34] Discussing legacy, pressure, and self-worth
- [48:21] The affirmation: “Why not me?”
Final Affirmation
"Why not me?"
Natalya’s motto, a universal message for listeners and readers alike to believe in themselves and chase what seems impossible.
Book Details & Tour Info
- Memoir: The Last Hart Beating – Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and bookstores everywhere.
- Book Tour: Dates and locations at lastheartbeatingbook.com (includes Los Angeles, Mall of America, Jersey, Toronto, Chicago).
Tone and Language
Supportive, candid, reflective, and deeply personal, with the easy rapport of longtime best friends. The episode blends wrestling insider knowledge, open-hearted life advice, touching anecdotes, and unfiltered emotion—"happy hour" vibes with hard-won wisdom.
For all wrestling fans, reality TV lovers, and anyone in need of inspiration: this episode (and Natalya’s memoir) is an invitation to choose hope, face down pressure, and answer “why not me?”—no matter your odds.