The Steve Austin Show: "Diamond" Dallas Page Part 1 – SAS CLASSIC

Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Diamond Dallas Page (DDP)
Location: Hollywood, CA (via Broken Skull Ranch)

Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Steve Austin reconnects with his longtime friend and fellow wrestling legend Diamond Dallas Page. The conversation covers DDP’s current projects (notably DDP Yoga and the "accountability crib" in Atlanta), their shared history, DDP’s unconventional journey into professional wrestling, and deep insights into wrestling psychology, resilience, and self-improvement. Listeners get a blend of heartfelt recollections, classic road stories, and valuable life lessons on perseverance and transformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reuniting Old Friends & Health Talk

• [01:04–03:53] Steve and DDP open by reminiscing about living together in Los Angeles and quickly veer into an enthusiastic discussion about health and nutrition trends, particularly protein supplements and juicing.
  • DDP raves about chocolate hemp protein powder and shares his favorite shake recipe, focusing on taste and nutrition:
    “Made it with almond milk, ice, frozen banana and peanut butter. It's the best shake... it's the best milkshake I've ever had. Forget your protein shake.” – DDP, [02:15]
  • Steve admits he’s begun juicing with his partner Kristen, humorously recounting early failures (“it tasted like I was drinking a gigantic stink bug” – [07:06]) and soliciting DDP's advice.

Roommates, Life Transitions & LA Stories

• [03:55–08:28] The duo recall the period after DDP’s split with his wife Kimberly, when Steve moved in as a roommate.
  • DDP: “I had a huge hole in my life and… I got a sweet ass place I just got. You got one of them rooms if you want it.” – [04:13]
  • Steve explains his reasons for moving to LA—seeking new opportunities at 40—and credits that transition as a “Come to Jesus meeting” moment.

Juicing, Nutrition, and Wellbeing

• [07:43–08:28] DDP emphasizes his philosophy on eating and juicing:
  “If it don't taste great, I'm not eating it... The whole thing about juicing is it alkalines your body and oxidizes your blood... It’s like an anti-cancer causing effect.”

The Move Back to Atlanta & Accountability Crib

• [08:28–13:58] DDP describes moving back to Atlanta, citing better value for money, family ties, and “real people.”

  • DDP now lives in Smyrna, GA with his daughter Brittany, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, and has recently worked with Scott Hall and his son Cody.

  • The house is known as the “Accountability Crib,” serving as a supportive environment for friends battling addiction and seeking wellness.

  • Notably, the house is outfitted with cameras for a documentary, The Resurrection of Jake the Snake.

  • DDP: “Anybody who gets in any kind of a program to help change their life... most times you need to be made accountable... and accountable to yourself more than anything.” – [13:58]

  • Steve and DDP discuss the relapse and recovery cycles, with Steve probing how DDP handles “Come to Jesus meetings” with Jake during setbacks.

  • Quote – DDP, [16:26]:
    “The first couple times… I was really pissed... but the only reason I wasn't pissed that he got fucked up, I was pissed that he's saying to my face, I'm not fucked up.”

Livestreaming, Reality TV & Authenticity

• [18:24–21:28] Austin questions why the Accountability Crib isn’t a mainstream reality show.
  • DDP insists on authenticity and rejects outside production control:
    “No matter what, I’m going to be true to myself… Our lives are interesting enough. But they want to control us, so I'll pass.” – [18:45]
  • DDP describes their focus on shooting for a documentary and using the DDP Yoga platform to promote nutritional and lifestyle change.

DDP Yoga: Platform, Community, and Philosophy

• [21:28–22:03] DDP directs listeners to TeamDDPYoga.com (“anyone can join”) and explains his broader mission:
  • “It’s a lifestyle. That’s really what it is.” – [22:03]

DDP’s Wrestling Journey: From Fan to Star

Origins of “Dallas”

• [24:45–26:42] DDP recounts growing up in New Jersey, loving the Dallas Cowboys, and deriving his nickname “Dallas” from his father’s teasing—later turning it into his ring name.
  • “He’s like, 'Hey, Dallas, come on, your team’s on,' you know, so that's where it all came from.” – DDP, [24:45]

Nightclub Promoter to Wrestling Manager

• [26:42–32:36] DDP shares colorful stories from his nightclub days in Florida, where he crafted elaborate wrestling-inspired commercials and personas, leading to a tryout with AWA as a manager.
  • “I create three different wrestlers... dressed up the Diamond Dolls... And I've got all these crazy outfits... just having a blast.” – [29:53]

AWA Break & Early Managing Days

• [32:36–38:22] Untrained but ambitious, DDP lands AWA TV appearances—flying himself and friends out for monthly tapings, leveraging nightclub connections, and slowly breaking into the business.

  • Memorable Moment: Taking recordings of promo reels and getting legendary feedback from Freddie Blassie (“Look at him. He's got a good rap, but he's 6 foot 9. He's like Andre the Giant. We can’t use him.” – [36:11])

Broadcast Experience with Gordon Solie

• [36:37–40:14] Recounts his role as color commentator under Dusty Rhodes and learning from legendary announcer Gordon Solie.
  • “You’re going to be the Jesse Ventura of the 90s." (Dusty Rhodes to DDP, [36:44])
  • Amusing anecdote: Gordon Solie’s gruff style and the intimidating way he handled interview requests.

From Managing the Freebirds to In-Ring Aspirations

• [40:14–46:02] Dusty Rhodes brings DDP into WCW as manager for the Freebirds (“that was pretty damn cool”), describing backstage incidents and building friendships with Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin.
  • Steve teases DDP about his notorious “bad road etiquette” in the car—crushing Mick Foley in the backseat. [44:29]

The Decision to Wrestle at 35

• [46:02–47:48]

  • Magnum TA encourages DDP to wrestle due to his marketability (but questions the late start).

  • “The only way you’re going to control your destiny is actually getting a ring.” – Magnum TA, relayed by DDP, [46:02]

  • DDP first teams with Scott Hall, learns the grind of the power plant, and suffers green matches early on—humorously admitting he flopped through a bout with Bill Kazmier. [48:25]

Relentless Work Ethic at the WCW Power Plant

• [50:56–53:22]

  • DDP describes daily discipline (“first to come, last to leave”), surviving the hazing and discipline.

  • “They try to run me off and I got real humble and I just shut the fuck up...” – DDP, [51:07]

  • Key mentor: Jody Hamilton (The Assassin), whose endorsement was pivotal.

Early Setbacks and Major Influences

• [53:22–61:51]

  • Recalls a significant rotator cuff injury (and Mick Foley correctly diagnosing it before doctors).

  • After being released, DDP reconnects with Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who becomes a mentor in wrestling psychology.

  • Cobra in the Bathroom Story:

    • Jake brings a live cobra to DDP's home, and it escapes into a bathroom vanity, leading to panic and a classic Kimberly meltdown (“the snake's gone” – [62:43]).
    • Steve: “You got a very dangerous cobra in your crib. Continue.” – [64:33]

  • Jake’s lasting advice:
    “Diamond, you already know more moves than you’ll ever need… you just don’t know where to place them in the match...You’re going to learn more sitting on the couch with me than you ever will in the ring.” – relayed by DDP, [60:07]

  • The cycle of TV angles, backstage politics, and Dusty's ultimately mixed endorsement of DDP’s potential.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• DDP on work ethic:
  “If you tell me you can’t do something, I’m really going to jump in it then... I got to where I could do 1200 [Hindu squats].” – [51:36]

• Jake Roberts’ philosophy:
  “If your work ethic catches up to your talent, you could be one of the biggest names in the business. But if you can't handle the heat, you can forget it right now.” – DDP recalling Jake, [71:19]

• Austin on DDP’s relentless drive:
  “I’m talking to the man who damn near wrote the book on hard work.” – [49:00]

• On DDP Yoga and lifestyle:
  “It’s a lifestyle. That’s really what it is.” – DDP, [22:03]

Most Memorable Moments & Humor

• Juicing Mistakes: Steve’s “liquid stink bug” juice and DDP’s lesson on moderation (parsley/ginger).
• Cobra Escape: The tale of Jake’s lost cobra, Kimberly’s panic, and the ordeal of recovering the snake.
• Road Stories: Texas-sized roommate adventures, Freebird car rides, and Mick Foley’s crunched travels.
• Reality TV Tension: DDP refuses to hand over creative control to networks, insisting on “shoot reality.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:04 – DDP joins; reminiscing with Steve about their LA roommate days
• 02:15 – DDP shares favorite protein shake recipe
• 07:06 – Steve and Kristen’s juicing disaster
• 08:28 – DDP’s move back to Atlanta; the Accountability Crib explained
• 13:58 – How the Accountability Crib works; Jake’s journey, relapse, and documentary project
• 18:24 – DDP on reality TV, authenticity, and documentary filmmaking
• 21:28 – DDP Yoga as a global lifestyle movement
• 24:45 – Origins of the “Dallas” nickname and early ring name stories
• 29:53 – DDP’s AWA audition tape and nightclub persona
• 36:44 – Learning commentary under Gordon Solie
• 44:29 – Michael Hayes “rib” story, Freebird adventures
• 46:02 – The pivotal talk with Magnum TA—starting to wrestle at 35
• 50:56 – Power Plant work ethic and initiation
• 53:22 – Rotator cuff injury; Mick Foley’s prognosis
• 60:07 – Jake “The Snake”: Mentorship, psychology, and lost cobra saga
• 71:19 – Jake’s high praise and transformative advice

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a goldmine for wrestling fans and aspiring self-improvers alike, as it traces the unlikely, hard-fought career of DDP. Austin and Page’s chemistry sparkles in humorous anecdotes and real talk about reinvention, resilience, and the realities—and hopes—of the wrestling industry. The episode wraps with a tease of diving into DDP’s legendary feud with Randy Savage and deeper insights into his yoga empire in the next part.

For more, visit DDPYoga.com and podcastone.com/premium.