Trading Secrets – Episode 267

Guest: Charlotte Flair
Host: Jason Tartick
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Trading Secrets, Jason Tartick sits down with Charlotte Flair (real name: Ashley Fliehr), a 14-time WWE Women's Champion and daughter of wrestling legend Ric Flair. The conversation delves into Charlotte’s journey from personal trainer to global superstar, the financial and emotional challenges she’s faced, the realities behind building her own legacy in WWE, and the importance of authenticity. They share trading secrets focused on the money, branding, and career pressures unique to wrestling and beyond.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growing Up Flair & Early Relationship with Money

Childhood Affluence: Charlotte describes growing up in a risingly affluent household as her father’s fame increased, culminating in a significant move to a grander house with a country club. However, she didn't fully connect the lifestyle with money until later.
- “In sixth grade, I was like, okay… I noticed that. I mentally remember that being a big deal, but I don’t know if I associated the home to money. It was just more like, this is my life.” (07:14)
Learning About Money: Real money awareness hit in college, especially after quitting her volleyball scholarship.
- “How do you budget on 200 a week in college? …I didn't have to go without, but then I had to really learn.” (08:40)
Financial Shift After College: After a period of uncertainty post-college, she did well as a personal trainer before entering wrestling, even buying her own townhouse. (10:00–11:19)

2. Career Beginnings and the Turn to Wrestling

Initiated wresting not out of childhood ambition, but to help her brother and escape her personal life challenges.
- “I really started at NXT… due to trying to help my brother get in, thinking he could get on the right path while also escaping my own whatever was happening.” (12:41)
Early days marked by uncertainty and transition but deeply formative for today’s success.

3. Breaking into WWE: Training, Branding, and Challenges

Wrestling Isn’t Inherited: Despite her father’s fame, Charlotte emphasizes she still had to prove herself; there’s no handbook, and much had to be figured out alone.
- “They don’t give you a handbook… you have to figure it out.” (16:52)
Performance Center to Main Roster: Training is daily and comprehensive, but after joining the main roster, self-driven improvement is essential—covering gym, branding, and personal development. (14:38)
Branding Awakening: It took years for her to realize the importance of personal branding and differentiating herself from her father and peers.
- “I didn’t necessarily think about those things or grasp those things even when I first started in 2015. So that didn’t really register till the last five years… Authenticity is what works.” (28:00)

4. Authenticity, Persona, and Industry Pressures

The Charlotte-Ashley Divide: Her character is often the arrogant “heel” (“bad guy”), a sharp contrast to her real self. Authenticity and vulnerability are now helping her connect more deeply with fans.
- “Now that I’m letting those walls down, the fans are getting to appreciate… seeing Ashley shine through because they know Charlotte’s a champion…” (18:48)
- Memorable Quote: “Anytime… what advice would you offer? Authenticity is what works.” (30:21)
Industry Critiques: She discusses the double standards and ageism women face in wrestling, and her pride in pushing boundaries for women’s representation into their 40s.
- “I’ve been so vocal about it… I feel like I’m having some of the best character work in my career. Great matches… new territory for women going into their 40s.” (22:22)
Organic Storytelling: Her tag team with Lexi (Alexa Bliss) has been unexpectedly fulfilling and well-received, bringing out a different side of her both on- and off-screen. (24:04)

5. Wrestling Industry Business & Financial Realities

Pay Structures & Expenses: Transitioned from unstable personal training income to WWE’s regular pay but was surprised by out-of-pocket costs, including spending extensively on ring gear and robes—key investments into her brand.
- “Sometimes you have to put in more than… you have to invest in yourself. Fans know that I invest in the character so I get that investment back.” (44:51)
Key Money Moves: Charlotte handed her first big WWE paycheck ($13,000) straight to her financial planner—a practice she’s maintained.
- “My first paycheck from the main roster was in 2015. I gave it to my financial planner.” (41:51)
Financial Independence Goal (FU Number): Inspired by a podcast for women, she has a target savings number (FU number) to walk away on her own terms.
- “If I just get to that number in a couple years, that if I just wanted to walk away, I could.” (43:45)

6. Brand Expansion & Opportunities Outside WWE

Impact of WWE’s Broadening Media Reach: The move to Netflix and streaming opens doors for global exposure and cross-promotion.
- “The move to Netflix puts you on a whole different global scale… But I don’t know what gets bigger than Netflix.” (35:14)
Future Aspirations: Acting and involvement in sports media are her leading post-wrestling interests, along with a dream of joining Dancing with the Stars.
- “I still want to pursue acting… I enjoy hosting, but right now I’m so focused. I mean, I’m open to all of these, but I’m aware and thinking about them while I’m still actively in it.” (38:06)

7. Behind the Scenes & Insider Secrets

Unexpected Realities: All women wrestlers wear the same $6–$7 Hooters tights under their gear, which rip constantly.
- “We all wear Hooters tights… I literally have to walk into Hooters sometimes and give the girls at the bar 20 and be like, are the tights in the bathroom?” (52:51)
Physical Toll: Sustained significant injuries, most notably taking a leg drop that left her unable to breathe, but never considered quitting.
- “When I tore my ACL… the only thing I could think about was how am I going to come back better?... Never thought, nope, I’m good just going home.” (40:14)
Mental Pressure: Experienced performance anxiety only once early in her career; recovery came with experience and learning to feel in the moment.
- “During the match, I was blanking… a lot of people couldn’t tell, but the match didn’t pick up till I calmed down probably halfway through.” (48:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Authenticity:
- “Authenticity is what works. My dad is who he is today and has resonated with pop culture because he is who he is.” – Charlotte (30:21)
On Women & Aging in WWE:
- “I have no prime… I’m 39. I feel like I’m having some of the best character work in my career. Great matches.” – Charlotte (22:22)
On Financial Planning:
- “My first paycheck from the main roster was in 2015. I gave it to my financial planner.” – Charlotte (41:51)
On Staying Power:
- “You have to know who you are or the business will eat you alive.” – Ric Flair (as recalled by Charlotte, 47:33)
On the Physical Toll:
- “Becky did a leg drop off the top of the ladder onto my ovaries… I couldn’t breathe… that’s probably been the worst bump I have ever taken.” – Charlotte (54:03)
On Brand Investment:
- “I really do spend a lot on my gears and my robes and picking the designers I work with, but I know it’s gonna come back.” – Charlotte (44:48)
Trading Secret to Close:
- “You get what you give. Anything you want in life, you really do have to work for it, and it has to be true to you.” – Charlotte (55:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

06:59 – Charlotte’s earliest awareness of wealth & family money
09:58 – Post-college uncertainty and path to fitness career
12:41 – Why she turned towards wrestling (family/personal crossroads)
16:52 – Breaking into WWE & learning the business from scratch
18:48 – Authenticity and merging Ashley and Charlotte personas
22:22 – Discussing ageism and the new era for women in WWE
24:04 – Tag team dynamic with Lexi and organic character development
28:00 – Branding realization and the impact of authenticity
35:14 – Impact of WWE’s Netflix partnership & increased global reach
41:51 – Financial discipline: giving her first WWE paycheck to her planner
43:45 – Setting her FU number for independence
44:51 – Investing in her wrestling gear as a business expense
52:51 – Hooters tights: a wardrobe secret among wrestlers
54:03 – Most painful injury & the physical realities of wrestling
55:13 – Charlotte’s ultimate trading secret: “You get what you give.”

Conclusion

This episode offers a candid look at both the glamour and grind behind being a WWE superstar. Charlotte Flair’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and underlying business savvy—proving that real empowerment and brand growth happen through continuous self-investment and authenticity. Wrestling fan or not, listeners are left with actionable career and financial wisdom from both guest and host.

Connect with Charlotte Flair:

Instagram: @charlottewwe
Twitter: @MsCharlotteWWE
TikTok: @mscharlotteflair

For more financial secrets and career strategy from industry leaders, subscribe to Trading Secrets.

Trading Secrets – Episode 267

Guest: Charlotte Flair
Host: Jason Tartick
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growing Up Flair & Early Relationship with Money

Childhood Affluence: Charlotte describes growing up in a risingly affluent household as her father’s fame increased, culminating in a significant move to a grander house with a country club. However, she didn't fully connect the lifestyle with money until later.
- “In sixth grade, I was like, okay… I noticed that. I mentally remember that being a big deal, but I don’t know if I associated the home to money. It was just more like, this is my life.” (07:14)
Learning About Money: Real money awareness hit in college, especially after quitting her volleyball scholarship.
- “How do you budget on 200 a week in college? …I didn't have to go without, but then I had to really learn.” (08:40)
Financial Shift After College: After a period of uncertainty post-college, she did well as a personal trainer before entering wrestling, even buying her own townhouse. (10:00–11:19)

2. Career Beginnings and the Turn to Wrestling

Initiated wresting not out of childhood ambition, but to help her brother and escape her personal life challenges.
- “I really started at NXT… due to trying to help my brother get in, thinking he could get on the right path while also escaping my own whatever was happening.” (12:41)
Early days marked by uncertainty and transition but deeply formative for today’s success.

3. Breaking into WWE: Training, Branding, and Challenges

Wrestling Isn’t Inherited: Despite her father’s fame, Charlotte emphasizes she still had to prove herself; there’s no handbook, and much had to be figured out alone.
- “They don’t give you a handbook… you have to figure it out.” (16:52)
Performance Center to Main Roster: Training is daily and comprehensive, but after joining the main roster, self-driven improvement is essential—covering gym, branding, and personal development. (14:38)
Branding Awakening: It took years for her to realize the importance of personal branding and differentiating herself from her father and peers.
- “I didn’t necessarily think about those things or grasp those things even when I first started in 2015. So that didn’t really register till the last five years… Authenticity is what works.” (28:00)

4. Authenticity, Persona, and Industry Pressures

The Charlotte-Ashley Divide: Her character is often the arrogant “heel” (“bad guy”), a sharp contrast to her real self. Authenticity and vulnerability are now helping her connect more deeply with fans.
- “Now that I’m letting those walls down, the fans are getting to appreciate… seeing Ashley shine through because they know Charlotte’s a champion…” (18:48)
- Memorable Quote: “Anytime… what advice would you offer? Authenticity is what works.” (30:21)
Industry Critiques: She discusses the double standards and ageism women face in wrestling, and her pride in pushing boundaries for women’s representation into their 40s.
- “I’ve been so vocal about it… I feel like I’m having some of the best character work in my career. Great matches… new territory for women going into their 40s.” (22:22)
Organic Storytelling: Her tag team with Lexi (Alexa Bliss) has been unexpectedly fulfilling and well-received, bringing out a different side of her both on- and off-screen. (24:04)

5. Wrestling Industry Business & Financial Realities

Pay Structures & Expenses: Transitioned from unstable personal training income to WWE’s regular pay but was surprised by out-of-pocket costs, including spending extensively on ring gear and robes—key investments into her brand.
- “Sometimes you have to put in more than… you have to invest in yourself. Fans know that I invest in the character so I get that investment back.” (44:51)
Key Money Moves: Charlotte handed her first big WWE paycheck ($13,000) straight to her financial planner—a practice she’s maintained.
- “My first paycheck from the main roster was in 2015. I gave it to my financial planner.” (41:51)
Financial Independence Goal (FU Number): Inspired by a podcast for women, she has a target savings number (FU number) to walk away on her own terms.
- “If I just get to that number in a couple years, that if I just wanted to walk away, I could.” (43:45)

6. Brand Expansion & Opportunities Outside WWE

Impact of WWE’s Broadening Media Reach: The move to Netflix and streaming opens doors for global exposure and cross-promotion.
- “The move to Netflix puts you on a whole different global scale… But I don’t know what gets bigger than Netflix.” (35:14)
Future Aspirations: Acting and involvement in sports media are her leading post-wrestling interests, along with a dream of joining Dancing with the Stars.
- “I still want to pursue acting… I enjoy hosting, but right now I’m so focused. I mean, I’m open to all of these, but I’m aware and thinking about them while I’m still actively in it.” (38:06)

7. Behind the Scenes & Insider Secrets

Unexpected Realities: All women wrestlers wear the same $6–$7 Hooters tights under their gear, which rip constantly.
- “We all wear Hooters tights… I literally have to walk into Hooters sometimes and give the girls at the bar 20 and be like, are the tights in the bathroom?” (52:51)
Physical Toll: Sustained significant injuries, most notably taking a leg drop that left her unable to breathe, but never considered quitting.
- “When I tore my ACL… the only thing I could think about was how am I going to come back better?... Never thought, nope, I’m good just going home.” (40:14)
Mental Pressure: Experienced performance anxiety only once early in her career; recovery came with experience and learning to feel in the moment.
- “During the match, I was blanking… a lot of people couldn’t tell, but the match didn’t pick up till I calmed down probably halfway through.” (48:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Authenticity:
- “Authenticity is what works. My dad is who he is today and has resonated with pop culture because he is who he is.” – Charlotte (30:21)
On Women & Aging in WWE:
- “I have no prime… I’m 39. I feel like I’m having some of the best character work in my career. Great matches.” – Charlotte (22:22)
On Financial Planning:
- “My first paycheck from the main roster was in 2015. I gave it to my financial planner.” – Charlotte (41:51)
On Staying Power:
- “You have to know who you are or the business will eat you alive.” – Ric Flair (as recalled by Charlotte, 47:33)
On the Physical Toll:
- “Becky did a leg drop off the top of the ladder onto my ovaries… I couldn’t breathe… that’s probably been the worst bump I have ever taken.” – Charlotte (54:03)
On Brand Investment:
- “I really do spend a lot on my gears and my robes and picking the designers I work with, but I know it’s gonna come back.” – Charlotte (44:48)
Trading Secret to Close:
- “You get what you give. Anything you want in life, you really do have to work for it, and it has to be true to you.” – Charlotte (55:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

06:59 – Charlotte’s earliest awareness of wealth & family money
09:58 – Post-college uncertainty and path to fitness career
12:41 – Why she turned towards wrestling (family/personal crossroads)
16:52 – Breaking into WWE & learning the business from scratch
18:48 – Authenticity and merging Ashley and Charlotte personas
22:22 – Discussing ageism and the new era for women in WWE
24:04 – Tag team dynamic with Lexi and organic character development
28:00 – Branding realization and the impact of authenticity
35:14 – Impact of WWE’s Netflix partnership & increased global reach
41:51 – Financial discipline: giving her first WWE paycheck to her planner
43:45 – Setting her FU number for independence
44:51 – Investing in her wrestling gear as a business expense
52:51 – Hooters tights: a wardrobe secret among wrestlers
54:03 – Most painful injury & the physical realities of wrestling
55:13 – Charlotte’s ultimate trading secret: “You get what you give.”

Conclusion

Connect with Charlotte Flair:

Instagram: @charlottewwe
Twitter: @MsCharlotteWWE
TikTok: @mscharlotteflair

For more financial secrets and career strategy from industry leaders, subscribe to Trading Secrets.

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267. Charlotte Flair: From personal trainer to WWE Superstar, BTS of what led her to pursue wrestling, building her own success, navigating industry pressures and the true value of authenticity

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Summary

Trading Secrets – Episode 267

Episode Overview

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growing Up Flair & Early Relationship with Money

2. Career Beginnings and the Turn to Wrestling

3. Breaking into WWE: Training, Branding, and Challenges

4. Authenticity, Persona, and Industry Pressures

5. Wrestling Industry Business & Financial Realities

6. Brand Expansion & Opportunities Outside WWE

7. Behind the Scenes & Insider Secrets

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Conclusion

Summary

Trading Secrets – Episode 267

Episode Overview

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growing Up Flair & Early Relationship with Money

2. Career Beginnings and the Turn to Wrestling

3. Breaking into WWE: Training, Branding, and Challenges

4. Authenticity, Persona, and Industry Pressures

5. Wrestling Industry Business & Financial Realities

6. Brand Expansion & Opportunities Outside WWE

7. Behind the Scenes & Insider Secrets

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Conclusion