Preparing HER: Tiffany Stratton

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Nikki & Brie Show

Episode: Preparing HER: Tiffany Stratton
Date: March 23, 2026
Host: SiriusXM
Guests: Nikki & Brie Garcia, Tiffany Stratton

Episode Overview

This empowering episode celebrates Women's History Month by spotlighting WWE’s rising star, Tiffany Stratton. Nikki and Brie dive deep into Tiffany’s journey from elite gymnastics to CrossFit, bodybuilding, and her meteoric rise in professional wrestling. Through candid and honest conversation, Tiffany reflects on the grit, discipline, and pivotal life moments that shaped her path, reveals her inspirations and values, and offers insight into life as a high-achieving woman in sports entertainment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Childhood Dreams and Gymnastics Origins

[02:40] - [05:36]

• Tiffany’s dream began with the 2012 Olympics, inspired deeply by gymnasts like Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman.
  • “My first ever dream was to be an Olympian.” — Tiffany Stratton [02:59]
• Early years involved a restart in gymnastics, rapid skill progression (from Level 6 to Level 10), and eventually qualifying as a senior elite.
• Moved to train with the National Team coach in Alabama, endured a physically brutal regimen, and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as a child.
  • “I always had so much grit in me to just, like, pound it out...” — Tiffany Stratton [04:51]

2. Career Shifts: From Gymnastics to CrossFit and Bodybuilding

[05:36] - [07:25]

• Tiffany’s decision to leave gymnastics was influenced by mounting injuries, financial reality, and a poor coaching relationship.
  • “Everything happens for a reason. Glass is always half full mentality.” — Tiffany Stratton [05:32]
• CrossFit fueled her competitive drive during her post-gymnastics transition.
• Tried bodybuilding; loved the challenge, but struggled with nutrition restrictions.

3. The Spark of Athletic Motivation

[08:24] - [09:21]

• Tiffany always possessed an internal “fire” and all-or-nothing attitude.

• Academic performance was secondary to her athletic ambitions.

  “When I’m not passionate about something, I don’t really give it that much thought... I just want to be the best.”
  — Tiffany Stratton [08:24]

4. Coaching Struggles & The Power of Independence

[10:00] - [11:12]

• Difficult relationships with coaches who were overly controlling led to frustration.
  • “I have a problem with people that want to tell me what to do... I know I’m working hard myself. Why can’t you see that?” — Tiffany Stratton [10:00]
• Embraced self-direction and new beginnings without regret.

5. Entering Wrestling: Key Turning Points

[14:10] - [20:19]

• Wrestling entered Tiffany's life in 2021; she immediately recognized it as her true calling.
  • “I fully believe every little side quest I’ve done in my life has fully led me to professional wrestling.” — Tiffany Stratton [14:23]
• Journey included:
  • Multiple online WWE applications
  • Training with Mr. Kennedy at Pro Wrestling Academy
  • Fortuitous connection through her mom to WWE legend Greg Gagne
  • Persistence during COVID-19 setbacks
• Eventually attended a WWE tryout, stood out due to her preparation, and was signed quickly.
  • “I was willing to die before not getting a job. I put my all into everything.” — Tiffany Stratton [19:18]

6. Early WWE Success & Character Creation

[20:22] - [24:41]

• Debuted on TV only 4-6 weeks into her training.
  • Wore improvised gear for her first televised match.
• Developed and pitched her “daddy’s little rich girl” persona: a mix of Paris Hilton and Sharpay Evans.
  • “I am the girly girl to my core. I love the color pink.” — Tiffany Stratton [23:09]
• “Tiffy Time” catchphrase caught fire internationally.

7. Fun, Balance & Growth as a Young Woman in WWE

[26:39] - [29:06]

• Reflects on immense achievements at age 26 and desire to embrace joy:
  • “I want to enjoy it now... I want to enjoy everything. I don’t want to put so much pressure on myself.” — Tiffany Stratton [27:33]
• Emphasizes having fun, “fun-maxing,” and controlling what she can in her career.

8. On Confidence, Preparation & the Athlete’s Mindset

[31:44] - [33:09]

• Sports and hard work built her confidence; preparation is key.
  • “I am confident because I put in the hard work and the preparation to be confident.” — Tiffany Stratton [32:55]
• Nikki adds, “It’s not luck. It’s being prepared when the opportunity comes.”

9. Legacy, Women’s History, & Family

[36:25] - [38:55]

• Tiffany celebrates women in sports, particularly Olympians who inspired her and advocated for change (citing Aly Raisman).
  • “I felt like she was such a good voice for everybody... she was just so inspiring.”
    — Tiffany Stratton [37:40]
• Credits her mother as her first hero and greatest supporter—highlighting her strength through health battles.
  • “My mother has gone through so much... she just keeps on trucking.” — Tiffany Stratton [37:50]
  • “Her name’s Tiffany too.” — [38:41], endearing family connection.

10. Rapid-Fire Wisdom: Power, Support & Strong Women

[40:14] - [44:26]

• Most powerful moment: buying her house at 26, creating a happy home with her best friend and dogs.
• Admired traits: confidence, being inspired (not jealous) of others, and the importance of listening.
• Myth that needs to die: “When women have boundaries, we’re considered high-maintenance... but when a man does it, it’s different.” — [41:45]
• What does real power look like?
  • “A woman that is not afraid to speak up for themselves... not take ‘no’ for an answer.” — Tiffany Stratton [42:14]
• When women support each other:
  • “Good things happen... when women come together, I think it’s like you’re unstoppable.” — Tiffany Stratton [44:05]
• Wrestling needs more women’s matches and female main events at WrestleMania.

11. Closing Affirmations & Life Philosophy

[45:34] - [46:10]

• Tiffany’s mantra:
  • “Life is always working out in my favor, whether it’s good, whether it’s something bad that happens to me. I fully believe everything happens for a reason.” — Tiffany Stratton [45:34]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I think sometimes women can be other women’s biggest enemy or biggest hater. So when women come together, I think it... it’s like you’re unstoppable.” — Tiffany Stratton [44:05]
• “I am somebody that, when I make my decision, there’s no going back.” — Tiffany Stratton [11:18]
• “I’m 26—why am I talking like this? But I’m at a point in my life where I want to enjoy everything. It’s not that serious.” — Tiffany Stratton [28:28]
• “I want to control the things that I can control and do it to the best of my ability and... have banger matches and have fun while doing it.” — Tiffany Stratton [28:46]
• “When women support each other, good things happen... you’re unstoppable.” — Tiffany Stratton [44:05]
• On her character inspiration: “Daddy’s little rich girl... Sharpay Evans wrestling version.” — Tiffany Stratton [23:28]
• On preparation: “Preparation is so key... If you are not prepared for the moment when it arrives, you will not be prepared.” — Nikki [33:09]

---

Key Timestamps

• [02:59] Tiffany’s Olympic inspiration
• [04:51] Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and overcoming adversity
• [05:32] Transition from gymnastics; “glass half full” mentality
• [11:18] Cut ties with the past; embracing new beginnings
• [14:23] Discovering wrestling as her calling
• [19:18] WWE tryout persistence; “willing to die before not getting a job”
• [23:28] Pitching and creating her wrestling persona
• [24:41] “Tiffy Time” catchphrase goes global
• [27:33] Learning to enjoy the journey
• [37:40] Citing Aly Raisman’s advocacy as inspiration
• [42:14] “What real power looks like in a woman”
• [45:34] Tiffany’s mantra: “Life is always working out in my favor”

---

Tone and Style Notes

• The conversation is warm, energetic, and deeply supportive, balancing celebration of achievement with candid discussion of struggle and resilience.
• Nikki & Brie’s style remains casual yet inspirational, and Tiffany brings determination, self-awareness, and lighthearted humor.
• Listeners are left with an uplifting sense of possibility, encouragement for women’s empowerment, and memorable advice about preparation, confidence, and enjoying the ride.

---

Transcript

[Nikki]

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[Nikki]

Today we are sitting down with a woman who knows what it takes to chase greatness. She was an elite gymnast with dreams of making the U S. Olympic team until injury forced her to pivot. But instead of letting that be the end of her story, she built a new one. From CrossFit to bodybuilding to dominating NXT and rising to the main roster, becoming women's champion and a crowd favorite. This is a woman who refuses to lose. Everyone, please welcome to the Nikki and Bri show, Tiffany Stratton. Yes.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yay. It's tippy time.

[Nikki]

Tiffy time. Exactly. I love it too. It's in your background. It's perfect.

[Brie]

Oh, my gosh.

[Tiffany Stratton]

And my media gear.

[Nikki]

Yeah. Oh, my God, I love that.

[Brie]

Oh, my God, I got goosebumps.

[Nikki]

I know. And all the championships.

[Brie]

That felt really special.

[Tiffany Stratton]

That so cute.

[Nikki]

It's so cute.

[Brie]

Is that your office?

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah, I just bought a house and this is like my little office room. It's really cute. That is.

[Brie]

Are you still in Orlando?

[Tiffany Stratton]

I am, yeah.

[Brie]

Oh, that's amazing. Do you like Orlando?

[Tiffany Stratton]

It's okay. Like, I feel like living in Florida. You always, like, would dream of living by the water, but I love Orlando. My best friend's here. My best friend lives with me, so I just decided to stay in Orlando so we can still be besties and see each other every day.

[Brie]

She's a.

[Nikki]

She's a Florida girl.

[Brie]

Oh, you're. Where are you originally from?

[Tiffany Stratton]

I'm from Minnesota.

[Nikki]

Oh, wait, Minnesota? But you've been in Florida for a while, right? Or just nxt?

[Tiffany Stratton]

Just nxt. I've been living in Florida for like five years now. Because of nxt?

[Nikki]

Yeah. Okay.

[Brie]

I duh.

[Nikki]

I knew Minnesota because when we were all chatting and Saudi. Yeah, I remember that. Okay, so, Tiffany, we're gonna take it to the beginning. So before the world knew you in wwe, gymnastics was your whole life. When did the sport first become your identity? And what did little Tiffany dream her future would look like?

[Tiffany Stratton]

So my. My first ever dream was to be an Olympian. And I think the 2012 Olympics, when I saw Gabby Douglas, Ali, Raisman, all competing for Team USA and they won Team USA gold, that was, like, the first time that I was like, whoa, like, I want to do something like that. And I had done gymnastics when I was younger, and then I quit, and I did, like, soccer, I did dance. I did all, like, you know, the typical sports you do growing up. And then I saw the 2012 Olympics, and I was like, oh, my God, I need to become a gymnast again and go to the Olympics. So immediately I had my dad sign me up, my mom and my dad, and I, like, I'm somebody who. I can catch on to things really, really fast. And so I literally competed. Like, I think you had to start at level six, and then you had to, like, work your way up. So I started at level six, and I, like, competed, and I won, and I got to go to the next level. To the next level, to the next level. And until, like, I was a level 10 gymnast. And, like, as a level 10 gymnast, like, that's like, the highest level you get until you become a junior elite, senior elite. So, like, I was on my way, and eventually I qualified to become an elite, a senior elite. And then I competed, and then I even moved to Alabama. Huntsville, Alabama, where the National Team coach was located. And then eventually I kind of just, like, I had so many nagging injuries. I don't think you guys understand. Like, it was so brutal on my body. So is wrestling, but not in a way that gymnastics was. I also was. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as a little girl.

[Brie]

Oh, my gosh.

[Tiffany Stratton]

So, yeah, like, I always had so much grit in me to just, like, pounded out. And, like, no matter how much pain, I felt like I still was just going to be giving it my all in gymnastics. And then I just, like, I kind of grew up a little bit, and I was like, gymnastics isn't going to be paying my bills forever. And then, you know, the injuries, and then I just didn't really have a good relationship with my coach at the time, so I decided to quit. And I feel like I'm always somebody that looks at things as, like, everything happens for a reason. Glass is always half Full mentality. So I was like, I'm gonna go and do CrossFit. I'm sorry, I'm giving you guys like the whole story.

[Nikki]

This is so interesting. Please. I love. We're. That's why, you know, for Women's History Month especially, we want to hear the journey. We want to know the journey, you know, and our listeners too. So tell us your journey.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah, so gymnastics was my entire identity. Like, I wanted it all. I wanted to be an Olympian. And then like, I feel like my frontal lobe just started to develop, to develop. And I was like, this isn't gonna like be forever. Like, I have to kind of like figure out what I want to do with my life. I have to go to college, I have to figure out how I'm gonna, you know, pay my bills and have children one day. And so I quit, found CrossFit. I did CrossFit a little bit. And CrossFit is like, it's so good for like feeding that competitive side for me. Cuz CrossFit, you can still compete. And it's, and it's like, it's very competitive and CrossFit was blowing up at the time. So I did CrossFit a little bit. And then eventually I, I found bodybuilding and that was like a year before I got signed. So I couldn't really like make bodybuilding like a full, give it like a full run. I did one bodybuilding show and I thought it was so cool, but it is so like, it's so grueling, the nutrition and like the training. Like you have to be so devoted. Like what I'm telling you, like, I love food. Like, food to me is like, is happiness. Like, I love indulging. I think that's so fun. So that to me was, it was very difficult, like the nutrition aspect. And then as soon as I did my bodybuilding show, I literally got signed like a couple weeks later and had to kind of give that up.

[Nikki]

Oh, go ahead. I have questions too.

[Brie]

Well, Tiffany, I find it so interesting because, you know, when you look at the start of your athletic career, and it's starting at a young age, you being a gymnast, going so quickly from level 6 to level 10, then you get into another grueling career like CrossFit, then bodybuilding and then wrestling. But you know, for our listeners, you guys, Tiffany was a 2016 USA gymnast champion. She got the bron medalist and 2016 winter classic. She got second place and double mini. And then 2017 a Canada Cup. You represented the USA there. So you're talking about A. You're a crazy athlete. You are very determined, discipline, hard worker. I mean, what was it that gave you that first fire? Like, what was the drive? Some people say it's their coaches. Some people have the natural fire. What was it for you? Because, I mean, it's not like, after gymnastics, you're like, oh, I'm gonna do an easy career. I mean, you went to something even harder.

[Tiffany Stratton]

That's. That's such a good question. I've just always had this weird, like, fire in me. Like, I am somebody that I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna half ass something. Like, I go 110, and then kind of. I would. I would have to say, like, growing up, like, I was, like, not the best in school because of it. Like, when I'm not passionate about something, I don't really give it that much thought. Like, that's on the back burner. Like, I was not a good, you know, school person. My grades were C minuses at best because I was always just focused on gymnastics. That's all I wanted to do. So I. I really don't have an answer why. I've always had so much, like, determination and fire. I just see something and I want to be the best at it, like, immediately. Like, I don't want it to be, like, a side quest. Like, I just want it to be, like, I want to be the best. I want to be the elite. I want to be the epitome of the sport or whatever it is that I'm passionate about.

[Brie]

Yeah, it seems like you thrive on hard work, too. Some people don't. Some people are scared of hard work.

[Nikki]

But, yeah, well, she thrived, and especially on competition. Like, yeah, when people have that competitive. Competitive edge in them and, well, you know.

[Tiffany Stratton]

And you.

[Nikki]

You brought up about, like, your coach, where you guys didn't get along. Did you feel like in your journey, like, did that change you as an athlete? Like, when you. I mean, I know you spoke to fire, but did that change at all? Like, your performance? Did it make you want to do more and accomplish more or get out of the business? Like, what did your. What impact did that have on you?

[Tiffany Stratton]

I think I have a problem with. What's the word? Like, people that want to tell me what to do. I think I have an issue with that a little bit. Like, I'm kind of a rebel in a sense, because I know that I work hard. I know that, Like, I know, like, I'm doing all the right things to become the best at what I'm doing. So when Someone else is telling me, like, no, no, you're not doing that. Right. Do it like this. Or just blatantly being, like, controlling it, like, turns me off completely. I. I just, like, I. I know I'm working hard myself. Why can't you see that? Or why are you trying to make it seem like I'm not? That's where they lost me at the time.

[Nikki]

I see. And so having. Because, you know, you had this Olympic dream and you worked so hard for so long for it, and then you dealt with these injuries and then, you know, having a coach like that, did you feel. When you left and joined CrossFit, did you feel like you were losing a dream or losing a piece of who you were? And did CrossFit help you find that piece? Or did something always feel like it was missing?

[Tiffany Stratton]

No, I actually never have, like, regretted anything.

[Nikki]

Like, oh, that's great.

[Tiffany Stratton]

I never felt like, oh, I missed gymnastics. Like, I don't miss gymnastics at all. Like, not even a little bit. It's. I could not go back and do and compete at the level that I was competing at just because I don't. I just doesn't serve me anymore. I found a new passion. I'm somebody that, like, when I make my decision, there's no going back. Like, I'm so, like, 100%, like, okay with this, the decision I make. And there's no turning back. I'm not going to look back, I'm not going to reminisce. I'm not going to dwell. We look forward to let's do this CrossFit thing. I think what was missing for me was the competitive side of life. And, you know, I didn't want to just go and do. Because I was a server at the time. I was a bartender, I was a server. I was like, this isn't like, something I want to do all day, every day. Like, I got to do, like, a little. I got to do something on the side to excite me and bring me insight, excitement to my life. So that's what CrossFit was for. So that's definitely something that was missing after I quit gymnastics.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

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[Brie]

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[Tiffany Stratton]

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[Tiffany Stratton]

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[Brie]

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[Tiffany Stratton]

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[Brie]

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[Nikki]

And we'll go.

[Brie]

Henry. Jeez. Jeez, jeez. Well, you know what I find interesting, Tiffany, is when, you know, you look at gymnastics, you look at CrossFit and then bodybuilding, it's athletics. And there is some showmanship in all three of those careers. So it makes sense why wrestling was the perfect fit for you. I mean, and it would, you know, wrestling, it's like even on like a grander stage and like bigger characters. But I can see why you rose to the main roster so quickly at wwe because it's like you had all these years of pretty much preparing for pro wrestling.

[Nikki]

Well, and that's what I. Before you jump ahead, that's what I want to ask is so one, what moment did wrestling enter the picture? And like, what were the conversations like with your mom or your thoughts of, like, I'm gonna do this.

[Tiffany Stratton]

It's so funny that you guys like talk about like how my life was preparing me for wrestling because I fully believe that as well. I fully believe every little side quest I've done in my life has fully led me to professional wrestling. And when I saw like, it was kind of like blowing up at the time, I think it was like 2021 where I saw it really starting to take off. That's when I was like, that's when I discovered wrestling. And I was like, oh my God. Like, this is totally on my alley. I feel like my entire life I've been preparing for this job. Like, this has to be my new, my new thing. So immediately I submitted my stuff online immediately. And I did it so many times, you guys. And then I found a pro wrestling school near me. I forget what it was called. I think it was just called Pro Wrestling Academy. Mr. Kennedy, he was, oh my gosh, he's the best. Yeah, Mr. Kennedy was the owner of that. So that was really cool. So I pulled up there with my mother it was on a very sketchy side of town, so my mom came with me. I was the only girl there. And I, like, rolled around for a little bit, took some bumps. And then my mom, she's a nurse practitioner, and she was over at some guy's house, like, doing her, you know, her taking her vitals, whatever nurses do. And she saw like, this guy had posters on his wall and, and was like, of wrestling and was like, oh, my God. Like, my, my daughter's trying to get into that kind of stuff. Like, that's so cool. Yeah, posters, whatever. Like, I was like, oh, really? I know Greg Gagne, who was like a legend. WWE legend, WF legend. His dad's also a legend, Vern Gagne in the business. And he's like, I know Greg Gagne and I feel like he can help out your daughter. So my mom took down his number and immediately texted him for me. Yeah, my mom was like, such a catalyst in all of this. She was like, I think you need to do it. You need to. This is totally for you. I can totally see you doing that. And she saw Charlotte Flair on the TV screen one day. We were swiping through the channels and she was like, Jess, like, you literally can do exactly what she's doing right now. Like, you need to do this. Back to the other story. So she texted Greg and Greg was like, who the heck is this? Like, can we call each other? Like, who's this random lady calling me? So they hop on a call and he agrees to train me. And she kind of tells him about how I've been going to Mr. Kennedy's gym. And she's like, okay, like, I think I'm gonna try and reach out to Mr. Kennedy and see if, like, it'd be okay if I pull up to the school and kind of like, watch you train. So he does that and he, like, watches me take my first flip bump. And he was like, you've. You've never done that before? And I was like, no, but like, I do it all the time on the trampoline. Like, that's like something you do all the time in gymnastics, like the, the one footed flip bump. So he, like, could not believe that it was just so easy for me to. To do it on the first try and off one foot and then run the ropes. Like, it was all just kind of like second nature for me. And so immediately he was like, okay, like, then I'm gonna train you. I'm gonna get you ready for your tryout, and you're gonna be the Most prepared there and it's gonna be amazing. Whatever. So he reaches out to, I think it was Stephanie McMahon and she pulls like, my information from the whole, like the, the vaults of all the tryouts or all the, the, the submissions and all that stuff. Yeah, yeah. Pulls my information out. She says, okay, we have at our next tryout. So the trial comes. I'm so ready. I'm so nervous. The trial comes and COVID 19 happened and they had to fly us all back home in the same day because they literally had to host like Ron smackdown there that night. And so we couldn't try out. Yeah, there were so many people that are now signed with WWE that were at this trial. Like, Trick Williams was there, Kiana James was there. I think Jade Cargill was there too. There are so many people. Yeah, there are so many people that were there that are now signed. So they flew us all back home. And this, this is when I started to pick up bodybuilding. I was like, you know what? Like, I'm going to get in really good shape. I'm gonna do something to excite me for right now. And like, everything was shut down for a minute. So I, like, trained in my basement. My dad had all this workout equipment. And then it was like May or no, it was March when I had that trial. And then finally, like a year and a half later, they. I emailed them like, I emailed them like, at least like every other month. Like, hey, are you guys having a trial? Like, I heard you guys had a tryout. You guys had an all boys try out. You guys having an all girls tryout soon. And then they finally invited me back and it was an all girls trial. There was about 13 girls there. And I literally, like, I was willing to die before not getting a job. Like, I put my all into everything and it was, it was. I definitely like left that child knowing I was gonna get signed because I definitely, like, I stood out. I knew exactly what it's doing, how to take a bump. It was just running the ropes and rolling and promos and stuff like that and just energy and showing that, like, you're charismatic and da da da da. So, like, I had it all on lock. I knew it.

[Nikki]

I love that. That's amazing.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah. So then I think it was like three or four days later. Who was. Was Canyon. Canyon.

[Brie]

Okay. Yeah, I remember Canyon.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah, I think I was his last hire. He zoomed me and he said I was signed. And then in like two months, I have to report to the PC and start my WWE career and I did that. I competed on my bodybuilding show first, and then it was just such a good time for me because I was in such good shape. Like, I had this bodywing show. I just won it. And then a couple weeks later, like, I was off to pursue my WWE dreams. And that all just happened so fast. And then I got on TV so fast. Like, I don't think you guys realize, like, how fast I got on tv. I think people think, like, oh, my God, this person, they picked it up so fast. This person, they picked it up so fast. I picked it up very fast because I was thrown on TV like, four weeks into my career.

[Brie]

No.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah.

[Brie]

I didn't know that.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Four, like 40. I think it was like four to six weeks. They had me on a 205 live match with Amari Miller. Yeah.

[Nikki]

Wow.

[Tiffany Stratton]

And I remember Sean, I was like in the PC lobby. I think I was like, grabbing a package or something and. And Sean comes in and he goes, can you have a match tomorrow? And it was like, Monday night. And I was like, yeah. He's like, you got gear, is it? Yeah. And I didn't. I did not have gear. I wore this, like, pink little skirt and this pink furry top from Amazon. Oh, my God, I love it from Shein. So I wrestled in that. And then the match was like. Everyone was like, oh, my God, that was so amazing. Like, that was your first match ever on TV or whatever in front of a live crowd. And so after that, I think it was like maybe six to eight weeks later, I was on NXT TV and they were vignetting me. Wow.

[Brie]

Tiffany.

[Nikki]

And then you shortly then became the champion right from there. So.

[Tiffany Stratton]

So champion came, I want to say, like, a year later. It wasn't like that quick, but I

[Nikki]

was still a year.

[Tiffany Stratton]

I was like, yeah, I was like the. So they were kind of switching the brand from, like, the black and gold NXT era to NXT 2.0 era, where they wanted, like, these larger than life characters. And like, I remember I would go into these promo classes just like, ready to pitch my character and ready. Like, I knew who I wanted to be immediately. And I felt like at the time, there was no girl besides Carmela that was like this over the top pretty girl character. Like, everybody was kind of like grunge and.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

And you know what I mean?

[Nikki]

Like heavy metal, hardcore.

[Brie]

Yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah. So I just. I. I felt like that is exactly what would make me stand out. And I've always been a girly girl. I am the girly girl to my core. I Love the color pink. So I was just like, pitching this daddy's little rich girl character. Kind of like a Sharpay Evans ripoff. Like, wrestling virgin.

[Nikki]

I love it.

[Brie]

I love it.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Paris Hill and Charve Evans was like, my inspiration. And road dog Gabe Spolewski. I think Ryan Katz was there. We were all just, like, bouncing off of each other with ideas and stuff. And then, like, we had finally, like, kind of nailed down this character, and then they just started vignetting me and. Yeah, the rest was kind of history, I guess.

[Nikki]

Yeah. Well, so when did you realize Tiffany time was actually becoming a thing? Did you think of that or did the fans think of that?

[Tiffany Stratton]

So I had said it a lot on nxt, I believe. It was like, I always had, like, tiffy time at Tiffy Tuesday, stuff like that. But it didn't catch traction until, I want to say, like, when I went to Australia. Yeah. Like, that was not, like, my big thing. That was not my big, you know, catchphrase. It was. It just caught on. When I went to Australia, they were all chaining Tiffy time. Um, and then we kind of just. It fell into America, and America started chaining Tiffy time. And now it's like a global thing. We're global now.

[Brie]

Oh, yes. I mean, I love it. I love it. And it's amazing. Anytime you go like this and you're about to say it, that crowd knows. Like, it's like, boom. They say it with you. Which is so special.

[Nikki]

I mean, even at elimination chamber, like, before you and Kiana started that match.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah.

[Nikki]

It was cool to hear.

[Tiffany Stratton]

It's funny that that's the thing that, like, caught on because, like, I hadn't been saying that in nxt, and it just never really caught that much steam until I went to the main roster and was in Australia. And then that's when everything just kind of started to. It was like a trickling down effect.

[Nikki]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Brie]

Hey, everyone, when you're doing it all, you need all the electrolytes.

[Nikki]

I mean, whether that's 7am Pilates class to be hydrated for. I know for us, we have power lifting in the mornings after school drop. There's a lot to be hydrated for.

[Brie]

Being a mom, taking my kids to school, making them breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

[Nikki]

And let's be honest, what you need is you need Gatorade, which hydrates better than water itself.

[Brie]

With new Gatorade lower sugar, you can get the amazing hydration you expect from Gatorade, but with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors.

[Nikki]

With 75% less sugar and all the electrolytes of Gatorade Thirst quencher. You'll be back at your best and ready to take on whatever comes your way.

[Brie]

New to the fridge, all the Gatorade electrolytes you love.

[Nikki]

Try Gatorade Lower sugar Today.

[Commercial Announcer]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network based on analysis by Oogle of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply c t mobile.com for details.

[Nikki]

Well, you've, I mean Tiffany, it's so incredible. What, I mean you're only 25, right? I'm 26 or 26 now and it is incredible what you have accomplished so far, not only as an athlete but as a woman and being 26 from gymnastics, CrossFit and bodybuilding. And then I want to get back in because now you're going to be competing again in bodybuilding. But just what you've done at WWE alone in such a short amount of time. What, what else do you want? Because I mean you're going to be here for so long, of course there's so much left in you. I mean I think we're 42 and we're still over here doing things and you're 26. What, what do you want your journey to be about? Like, do you ever think of like a path you want to pave out to like leave like that makes up like your legacy?

[Tiffany Stratton]

That's a really good question. Honestly. Like I feel like the last kind of two years I have just been working like so hard and I put so much pressure on myself to the point where sometimes it wasn't fun. And I felt like this past year I, I learned so much about myself and what it truly meant to, to love myself and to put myself first, which meant to like a lot of life changes and stuff like that. So I've kind of just been approaching wrestling differently these past couple of months or past couple of weeks since I've been back and just trying to like fun, Max fun maxing. Like I just want to have fun and I just want that to reflect in my work. I don't want to take it too seriously. Like yes, I want to have really good matches. I want to have stories that people are invested into, but I, I'm not in control of that. That's, you know, that's creative. But I want to control the things that I can control and do it to the best of my ability and, and have banger matches and have fun while doing it. That's my biggest thing. I'm 26. Like, yeah, I have put in so much hard work, whether it was gymnastics, CrossFit, bodybuilding, wrestling. Like, I've worked so hard my whole life. Like, I want to enjoy it now. And I feel like I'm at a point in my life, I'm only 26 years old. Like, why am I talking like this? But I'm at a point in my life where like, I want to enjoy everything. I don't want to put so much pressure on myself. It's not that serious.

[Brie]

And I could tell at elimination chamber you were having fun like you did

[Nikki]

back from, from this run. Like, even on smackdown, I could see, see it.

[Brie]

But that's the thing that I think sometimes we get caught up in is we take the fun out of pro wrestling when pro wrestling is so much fun.

[Nikki]

Like, I miss live events.

[Brie]

Live events were my favorite. I could almost do without tv. Live events were my favorite because we would all have so much fun out there with the crowd, with each other. And I'm like, how lucky are we

[Nikki]

that we can do this?

[Brie]

And so I like that you're doing that. I think you're enjoying it now because pro wrestling's so fun.

[Tiffany Stratton]

I think sometimes, like we get so engulfed by, like, this is the creative. Like, this is what I'm doing on TV. Oh, I have this 3 sec match. Oh, I have this 2 seg match. Like, we need to take a step back and be like, I get to go out and professional wrestle in front of 10,000 people every Friday or Monday night. I get to go out and this is my job. Like, this is fun. Like, I have to tell myself, this is fun. Yeah, this is like somebody, somebody else's dream job. Like, this is. People work so hard to just, you know, be pro wrestling in someone's backyard. Do you know what I mean? Like, so I just think, like, I'm at a point where I want to have fun. Yeah, this is supposed to be fun.

[Nikki]

And, and energy is so infectious. And so when we're all having fun, the crowd's having fun, the viewers are having fun, people around us, the locker room's having fun. It's, you know, that energy that needs to be spread. And so it's, it's such A great thing to have that fun because I. I've been there before at times when some of my runs were getting not fun. And it was such a mental battle to get out there because, you know, we're putting our bodies through so much. So when you're mentally having a tough time getting through it, it's really tough and.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Right.

[Nikki]

I remember those moments and you have to like, be like, wait, this is. I mean, I get to see the world. What. What's going on? Like, I need to let go. So creative isn't going right. Or, you know, they want me to go in this direction and I just got to let that part go and whatever's given to me, make it the best. But have fun while I'm doing it. And yes, you know, no, things can change.

[Brie]

Well, and also we go year round. That's the thing too. This isn't like seasonal, this is year round. So sometimes I feel like we all take a step back and realize that we need to be seasonal to protect our bodies and. Or even our characters because this thing just keeps going and going.

[Nikki]

So your confidence is amazing. Incredible. Do you feel that sports has always given you that confidence? Is it Tiffany Stratton, the character now that's given you that confidence?

[Tiffany Stratton]

That's a good question. So I felt like growing up I wasn't always the most confident. And I definitely do feel like gymnastics gave me confidence because when you're good at something that gives you confidence, naturally I feel like that's why I feel like I will always put my children into sports because that's just like such an easy way to build confidence. And like, obviously I have my days where I'm not feeling the most confident, where a. Hey. Comment does get to me. But, like, for the most part, I feel like I feel like it is sports. Like, I feel like not just sports, but all the hard work I've done in my life has, like, I've always been so prepared. I've always been so prepared. And when you prepare, I feel like that gives you confidence too. Like elimination chamber. I was so confident going into that because I had been training, I had been doing my cardio, I've been doing CrossFit. So I was so confident going into that. And. And you can see that I feel like that reflected. Yeah. In my performance. So I just feel like I am confident because I put in the hard work and the preparation to be confident, to be confident within myself.

[Nikki]

You know, that's. And we've heard this a lot in this series from women in all these different industries. It's all about preparation, like, and even a lot of men, I feel like recently that we've talked to have talked about that. But like, to things. I saw something. So it was either a quote or someone had said it. But it's not luck. It's calling being prepared when the opportunity comes and preparation. And I was like, that's so true. Preparation is okay. If you are not prepared for the moment when it arrives, you will not be prepared when you step. Step into that moment. You just. You won't be able to take it. You won't be able to take the bulls by the horn. That's just that. So it's so true. Preparation is so key, which can be so hard at times with motherhood. And it's like you have to like, just make that time because it. It's so crazy how much that changes because you're trying to be prepared for so many things. And I'm like, oh, my goodness. We were talking about this earlier. You know, it's just the feeling of just chaotic schedules and when will it ever feel normal? So I thought this would be funny. And then I know we. We have a game to play, but if. If Tiffy Time had a. A theme song for real life. So, like, if we're walking into brunch, an airport or a party, what would be that song that would be playing?

[Tiffany Stratton]

Oh, it would have to be something like Britney Spears, like, with a really good, like, intro. Like a.

[Nikki]

The do something. You know that song, that Do Something Britney song. Yeah.

[Brie]

But I also feel like Tiffany, it'd be like, oops, I did it again. Like that, like in that beginning. Yeah.

[Nikki]

Oh, yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Like, I don't know, something with like, toxic. It's Tiffy.

[Brie]

Yeah. Oh, there you go.

[Nikki]

Oh, I like that. Yes, definitely.

[Brie]

Britney for you. Yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah. Something Britney.

[Brie]

I love it. Hey, everyone, when you're doing it all, you need all the electrolytes.

[Nikki]

I mean, whether that's 7am Pilates class to be hydrated for. I know for us, we have power lifting in the mornings after school, drop off the. There's a lot to be hydrated for.

[Brie]

Being a mom, taking my kids to school, making them breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[Nikki]

And let's be honest, what you need is you need Gatorade, which hydrates better than water itself.

[Brie]

With new Gatorade lower sugar, you can get the amazing hydration you expect from Gatorade, but with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors.

[Nikki]

With 75% less sugar. And all the electrolytes of Gatorade thirst Quencher. You'll be back at your best and ready to take on whatever comes your way.

[Brie]

New to the fridge? All the Gatorade electrolytes you love.

[Nikki]

Try Gatorade lower sugar. Today.

[Commercial Announcer]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network based on analysis by Google have speedtest intelligence data to 2025 bigger network. The combination of T mobiles and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees. Apply CT mobile.com for details.

[Brie]

Well, it is Women's History Month, so before we play a game, we do have two questions for you. Tiffany, you're an example of a hard working, strong woman. When you think of Women's History Month, what comes to mind?

[Tiffany Stratton]

I think of all the gymnasts that I looked up to. I think of Ali Raisman, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Shawn Johnson, Nasty Lukin. I think of all those women, like fighting for their country at the Olympics, going through so many, like being a gymnast. I don't think you guys understand like at the level that they were at, they had to put in so many hours into not just gymnastics but you know, strength training, cardio training, all that stuff. I think of just them. And then they also had to go through a lot of stuff with like the Larry Nassar stuff. Like they all spoke out and I felt like, so empowered to, especially by Ali Raisman. I felt like she was such a good like, voice for everybody and she just like said it with so much like, yeah, power behind her voice and she was just so inspiring to be an advocate for all those other girls that were so afraid to speak up about what had happened. So, so I think of all those girls and what they went through and how strong and inspiring they were at the time.

[Nikki]

I completely agree.

[Brie]

And my next question, I feel like, you know, it's probably one of these girls you're talking about or her mom. Yeah, but your first hero, who would you say your first hero was or

[Tiffany Stratton]

is your first hero? That's a good question. I would say my mother, My mother has gone through so much. She's had so many, she's had so many health issues.

[Nikki]

I'm sorry.

[Brie]

I'm so sorry, Tiffany.

[Tiffany Stratton]

It's okay. She's had so many health issues and she's, she just keeps on trucking. She's amazing.

[Brie]

That's where you get your strength from.

[Nikki]

Moms are super amazing. Yeah.

[Brie]

Yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

She's always just been, like, my biggest fan. She's always been just so blunt with me. She's, like, hilarious. If you guys met her, you'd be like, oh, my God. Like, this totally makes sense. That that's your mother. Yeah.

[Brie]

Oh, my God, I love that.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah, her name's Tiffany, too.

[Nikki]

Oh, my God, I love that.

[Brie]

I love that. Will she be at Wrestlemania? Will we be able to meet her there?

[Tiffany Stratton]

Possibly. If I'm there, she'll be there.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

For sure.

[Brie]

I love.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah. My mother.

[Nikki]

Well, and I mean, I just love the fact that, like, her just getting a wrestling legend's number and just texting and being like, you're gonna train my daughter.

[Brie]

But that's like, mom, like, mom, mom, mom does that. You know, just Nikki and I being moms. We will tell you that your kids are your world. They're the reason why you wake up in the morning. And when you get to do something special for your kids and you feel their gratitude, there's. There's no better feeling in the world. Nothing will ever top that. Not money, not success. Like, that moment with your child and that kind of bond and love, that's it. That's all you need.

[Nikki]

There's nothing like, when your mom believes in you and is like, we're gonna make this happen. Yeah. Like, this is what you're meant to do, and they're part of that dream. It's the greatest. I remember when our mom saw our first match, and it was at, like, a JCC outside of Tampa, Florida, and It was, like, 10 people in the crowd, but she was like. Like, just. She flew in and she was, like, cheering us on, was like, this is awesome. And. And it was our first match we ever had in front of, you know, live crowd that was 10, 20 people in a little gym. But it was so. Yeah, it was so cool.

[Brie]

Yeah, it's such a great feeling.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Brie]

All right, we're gonna do a rapid fire with you. We have eight questions, so our first one, one woman in your life, who shaped you the most? I feel like we know this.

[Tiffany Stratton]

My mother. Yeah, of course.

[Nikki]

I love it.

[Brie]

All right. Equality in women you admire deeply.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Confidence. Yeah. I think when I see a confident woman, I feel inspired, and I feel like a lot of people, like, they get caught up in, like, jealousy. I don't understand how people can be jealous of other people that are confident or have, you know, this going on in their life or better than this than you. I feel like it's I get inspired by people and I feel like that's part of the reason why I've, you know, made it this far in life. And I am. Where I am is because I've always just felt inspired by others. And I think you can learn from everybody in your life. I think.

[Nikki]

Totally.

[Tiffany Stratton]

I think listening is so important. I think just like hearing people talk and listening to other people talk and how like what their point of view is on certain situations, I think that's so important. And I don't think people do enough of. Of listening to others.

[Brie]

Gosh, I agree with you.

[Nikki]

I so agree. And confidence is so sexy. It is so sexy.

[Brie]

And same with listening.

[Nikki]

Well, no listening. So sexy. I noticed you were a good listener in Saudi because I felt like Saudi. I finally got a lot of time with you that I never got. I noticed that about you, actually.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Okay, good.

[Brie]

Yeah.

[Nikki]

Very good listener.

[Brie]

A myth about strong women that needs to die.

[Nikki]

Wow, that's.

[Tiffany Stratton]

I mean, it's a strong woman that needs to die.

[Nikki]

I'm trying to think.

[Brie]

I mean, I feel like when women have boundaries, we're considered high maintenance or a.

[Nikki]

Like. Yeah. You know, like they get called a. When they stick up for themselves, they're like, oh, she's such a. And it's like no drama.

[Brie]

Or they're a drama and it's like, I hate that one. But a man does it and.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Brie]

Different.

[Nikki]

But when someone so dramatic. Oh, because she speaks her mind. She's dramatic.

[Brie]

She's not okay with the situation.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah, yeah, that one. Yeah, for sure.

[Brie]

What does real power look like in a woman?

[Tiffany Stratton]

Real power look like in a woman? I think it's a woman that is not afraid to speak up for themselves. Somebody that kind of doesn't take no for an answer when they want it to be yes. Somebody who's obviously successful and that always isn't the case. But, you know, when someone's successful, I feel like it shows that they're a hard working person and they can kind of get through everything in life. So I would say that for sure.

[Brie]

Yeah.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Brie]

A moment you felt most powerful.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Maybe, maybe when I bought my house just because, like that kind of like solidified a lot of other things that were happening in my life. And I felt like that was just kind of like something that I've always wanted to do and it just kind of like put the stamp on. Like, okay, this is like my new life now. This is my. A new chapter in my life. I get to move in with my best friend. This is like, like I Don't think you guys understand how happy I am with my life right now and getting to live with my best friend. And I have my own dog now, and we have, like, four dogs together. I love coming home to. To my house and my dogs and my best friend, and it's just amazing.

[Nikki]

I love that. I mean, and to be a homeowner at 26 is incredible.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yes.

[Nikki]

You should be so proud of that.

[Brie]

Wow. Oh, my gosh. Yes. One thing women need to stop apologizing for,

[Tiffany Stratton]

I think what we touched on earlier, setting boundaries and not, like, being afraid to. To be blunt and. And say no and say, that makes me feel uncomfortable or, like, I don't want to do that. Like, I think. Think that for sure.

[Brie]

Yeah, I agree with you. And lastly, when women support each other. Blank.

[Tiffany Stratton]

When women support each other, good things happen, I think. I think sometimes women can be other women's biggest enemy or biggest hater. I feel like no one hates on a woman more than other women. So when women come together, I think it. It's like you're unstoppable.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Especially, you know, to relate it back to wrestling. I think, you know, when two women can go out there and have a dance together and wrestle together, I think magic can happen. And I fully believe one day we're gonna have another woman's main event at WrestleMania. So us women, we all need to come together and we need to make that happen. Right.

[Brie]

For sure. Well, all the women been killing it lately, so there's. If it's not happening, this mania, I'll be shocked. And I hope, too, that.

[Nikki]

Well, and a lot more female matches. I know. I. I feel like there should be three a night, like, no questions.

[Tiffany Stratton]

I agree.

[Nikki]

If not.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah.

[Nikki]

Right. Especially with added time from espn.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yeah. And we have, like, we have the IC title. We've got the US title. We've got the two main titles, so we got four titles and then the tag titles.

[Nikki]

Yeah.

[Brie]

So there's a lot.

[Nikki]

Wow. It's amazing.

[Brie]

So we need to see a lot ofWomen on WrestleMania.

[Nikki]

I agree.

[Brie]

For sure.

[Nikki]

For sure. Well, Tiffany, we like to end all of our episodes with a little inspiration, affirmation. Is there a quote or a mantra you can leave us with?

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yes. I think this kind of, like, is a summary of everything that I just talked about. Life is always working out in my favor, whether it's good, whether it's something bad that happens to me. I fully believe everything happens for a reason. It's all pointing to something bigger and better. Yeah. Life just. It's Never. Not working out of my favor. Everything happens for a reason.

[Nikki]

I love that.

[Brie]

You know, I think the cup is always full.

[Nikki]

I was just gonna say, now you're looking at the cup full, so that's good. You used to look at it half full, right? Right?

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yes. Glass is full.

[Brie]

I love that twin thinking, you know, that's so funny.

[Nikki]

We thought of that at the same time.

[Brie]

You're crazy.

[Nikki]

Whatever, Brie.

[Brie]

Well, thank you so much, Tiffany, for coming on the show. Nikki and I were so honored, and we really wanted to celebrate you this month, and we will probably be seeing you soon.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Yes.

[Brie]

Yes, I know.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Thank you guys for having me. I can't wait to. To catch up.

[Nikki]

Yes, I know.

[Brie]

It will be nice.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Oh, yeah.

[Nikki]

I have a lot of questions for you after seeing your Instagram, so.

[Tiffany Stratton]

Oh, you know, okay.

[Brie]

You know.

[Tiffany Stratton]

You know, I've always got answers.

[Nikki]

I love it. I love it.

[Brie]

All right, everyone, you can find videos of today's episode on all our social platforms. Nikki and Brio, Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, and our YouTube channel. And you can also catch us on Stars109. You can also call our hotline at 833 Garcia, too. All right, everyone, see y'.

[Nikki]

All. Have a great week. Bye.

[Brie]

Bye.

[Nikki]

Bye, bye.

[Brie]

Tiffany,

[Tiffany Stratton]

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[Brie]

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[Tiffany Stratton]

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[Commercial Announcer]

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[Tiffany Stratton]

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