Wrestling fans will already be very familiar with Torrie Wilson since she was one of the top female 
competitors on the circuit for almost ten years. On the other hand, fans of reality TV (and I admit to being a total addict!) will no doubt recall her amazing performance on NBC's ‘I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' where she finished second to actor Lou Diamond Philips in a season finale where viewer's votes dictated the winner.
After the series ended I decided I had to talk to this woman, so I cast my journalistic fishing net into celebrity ocean and managed to catch her for long enough to ask her some questions about her life in fitness, wrestling and - of course - the TV series!
So Tori, what was it about a career in fitness that attracted you most and inspired you to ‘make it happen'?
"Well, I was actually anorexic in high school and then became bulimic for a short time in college. I always admired the ‘fit' look of the fitness competitors and I began following their diet and exercise regimes. When I saw the results I was getting I decided to enter my first fitness competition for extra motivation...and I was hooked!"
Do you think that getting involved in the fitness industry played an important part in your recovery from Anorexia/Bulimia?
"Oh yes, it definitely helped my recovery. I truly wanted more for myself than starvation and began eating 5-6 meals a day. This gave me far better results than starvation! I love feeling fit and healthy and the path I was on at that time was certainly not making me feel healthy."
Do you blame the media for the current epidemic of eating disorders amongst women?
"Absolutely! The media puts a lot of focus on looks and neglects to tell everyone that most of the things you see on TV and in magazines are airbrushed and edited. Women aren't that thin! Girls look at these pictures and think that is how they should look and it is not reality. Women need to find substance within themselves and put less emphasis on trying to look like the models in the magazines."
So what drew you into competing in fitness competitions and how many shows did you actually participate in?
"I actually competed in 5 fitness competitions and it was the whole idea of having an actual goal that initially drew me in. Shortly after my fifth competition things really started to take off for me and I was travelling way too much to even think about a competition!"
From fitness competitions to wrestling is quite a big move...what made wrestling a more attractive proposition in terms of your future aspirations?
"Well I absolutely loved the entertainment industry and TV is what I really wanted to do. It was actually my appearances in fitness competitions that led to me being ‘scouted' to take part in wrestling. I got to give more when I was wrestling and also really ‘perform'. I also got the chance to see not only the entire country but the world. With wrestling I really did have the best of both worlds, since being fit was an integral part of being a wrestler."
There has been a lot of talk in the media about the use of drugs by top wrestlers. As a female in the industry, were you ever exposed to that?
"Oh gosh no, not one bit...that is kind of far for me to relate to. I never felt the urge to take pills. It's horror to me. I just don't understand it."
You must have sustained more than your fair share of injuries during your time in the ring...
"Actually, I was never really injured until my back started bothering me two years ago, from years of being thrown around on that mat. I had a collapsed disc and ended up having to have surgery. I quit wrestling last summer because of that. I have always been fit though and was able to bounce back fairly quickly after surgery and I can now do everything that I used to do. I am a big runner and I am so happy to be running again!"
Did the injury play an important part in your decision to retire?
"Yes, that was a big part of it...having back surgery was enough for me! Added to that I was ready to be home more. I travelled the world for 8 years and was never home for more than 3 days straight (except for Christmas). As much fun as it all was, I was ready to be home!"
Looking back, what would you say is your fondest memory from those times?
"There are way too many to have just one...but the first time I went to perform for the troops in Bagdad is right up there. They were so grateful and it was such an eye opening experience."
So getting right up to date, just how did the whole ‘I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' gig come about?
"My manager told me about the show and asked if it was something I would be interested in. Once I heard what it was all about I felt this was something that was right up my alley! After all, I am fit, gutsy and all about life experiences."
On the show all the celebrities had to participate in some pretty grueling challenges. What was the toughest one for you?
"We had to do something on a high wire and I knew I was a little afraid of heights...but I actually completely freaked out being up there. I had a panic attack but luckily my buddy John Sulley (another participant on the show) talked me out of my fears and I did what I had to do. It was a great feeling when it was over though; I felt I could do anything after conquering that!"
Talking about being able to ‘do anything' what exactly are your plans for the future now that you are officially retired from wrestling?
"I have got a few things in the works at the moment, but something I am really excited to do is start my own series of workout videos. I have so many cool tips to share and it is something I have always wanted to do...after all, fitness has always been my first passion!"
At this point in her life making her passion her profession has proven very successful for Torrie Wilson and , given the fact that her future is designed around the exact same principle, I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more from Torrie Wilson in the years that lie ahead!
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
