If you haven’t caught on Netflix wrestlers, then you might need to tag along fast, because the streamers’ latest foray into the world of docu-series is must-see TV. The show follows the larger-than-life characters of Ohio Valley Wrestling as they navigate their rivals, personal issues and pursue their dreams of superstardom. Of course, one of the most chiseled, charismatic and talented stars of the series is “Mr Pectacular” Jessie Godderz, and we know he’s the best because he shouts it from the rooftops!
Jesse Godderz says you can be anything you want to be – if you let yourself be
When we last caught up with Godderz, we learned that he is into the gym, but to make a name for himself in wrestling and reality shows such as Big Brother, “Mr Pectacular” had to rely on his mouth as much as his muscles.
For example, as a grappler in The OVW roster, often referred to as the “face” of the company. Further research, however, shows that this was not a nickname bestowed upon him by fans or peers. Instead, this firmly established moniker was all his own brilliant invention. “You just keep saying it until it keeps staying,” he says.
Fortunately, the art of self-promotion is just as valuable outside the squared circle as it is inside it. Want to make a name for yourself at work? Jessie Godderz has you covered. Want to play it up in the bodybuilding scene? Be sure to support yourself. And so, whatever you want to be called, don’t wait for someone else to say it. “Just keep saying it, because no one else is,” he smartly concludes.
It’s certainly a view that has done wonders for his own position as the face of OVW. “You know this is it, as far as I’m concerned,” he says. “I think it’s hilarious and I haven’t been corrected, that’s for sure. Until someone removes that claim from me, I will be the face of OVW, their face MuscleTech, and Netflix… I’ll take it all. It’s something they’re not going to willingly take from me.” And who would dare to try?
As for his success of the wrestler, Pectacular is proud of his contributions and the great response the series has received. Variety magazine called it a “(Body) Slam Dunk”.
“I’m over the moon about it,” Godderz shared. “It has definitely exceeded everyone’s wildest dreams and expectations. We’re all in our 20s, 30s, 40s, some of (the wrestlers) have families and a little more meat on our bones when it comes to our stories. And with that, there are financial struggles and trials and tribulations and, you know, bumps and bruises when it comes to the pain that people go through. I would beg and urge you to just watch the first episode. Because I guarantee you’ll be hooked!’ This may be another self-proclaimed statement, but this man can walk the walk as well as he can talk the talk, and we totally agree. The Wrestlers is streaming on Netflix Now.
Full of admiration for how he’s made his name in such a competitive industry, M&F sat down with the man himself to get his winning strategy on mastering the art of self-promotion as well as building your own personal brand.
1. Take that tough first step, like Jessie Godderz
You never want to have a victim mentality because no one is going to give you anything in this world no matter who you are or how big or small you are. But no one can take away the time you spend on something. But when you give up, it’s all over. That’s why I say don’t die in your dream while you’re still on this earth.
I grew up with 54 people in my senior class, and that’s across three cities. People would laugh at me when I wrote about my move to California in everyone’s yearbook. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I saved enough money and did it.
Leaving Iowa in my 20s was probably my biggest decision. I had an “I’ll show you mom” mentality back then. I just started bodybuilding and I was out to prove myself and put others in their shoes and show them that I was right.
When I moved to California, it was because my girlfriend’s mother at the time comforted me that I was never going to move to California. And that night, I went home, packed up, and moved to California—it was December 20th. I slept in my car that night.
The reason I say this decision was so important is because I was young and naive at the time. And when you’re young you can do anything.
2. Says Jessie Godderz When “Nature” throws you wisdom, grab it
I was living in Huntington Beach when I first came down Big Brother. This was around the time Spencer Pratt and Heidi Pratt were making their way as reality TV villains. I wasn’t sure which direction to go: I can either be the heel or the good babyface.
At the time, I was 22 years old and coaching at Gold’s Venice, and [by coincidence] Ric Flair trained there. As he entered, I left. I just said, “Hey Mr. Flair, is there any advice you could give me about getting into pro wrestling?” He’s like, “Well, if you’re serious, go to FCW—Florida Championship Wrestling and go to the WWE school, and I was like, fine! I’m done with Big Brother around August or September of 2008, and February of 2009, I was in Florida.
Who else would you like to get advice from on how to get into pro wrestling other than Ric Flair? I just did what I was told. So, as soon as he told me, I was like, okay, nothing else needs to be said. He told me exactly how to do it. So that’s what I did.
Now, looking back, it’s crazy that the guys I looked up to when I was a kid—Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Kurt Angle—a bunch of guys became colleagues. It’s pretty surreal and the ride continues.
3. Build Your Brand—and Make Sure People Hear It
Be the loudest mouth you can be. Promote yourself on every social media and platform you possibly can. If this is something you’re really honest about, get your name out there.
You have to put your foot down, especially now that there are so many kids and so many brands, influencers and creators. But don’t think that just because you don’t have that huge following of millions, you’re not attractive to a company. There are micro-influencers who might have less than 1,000 people, but those 1,000 people you know 100 of them or you put a comment on every post because they really really care about that one person.
Promote and post as often as you can—you might as well just set a schedule because it’s time-consuming. The biggest thing is to always produce content. And know what you’re trying to get across. Read books and follow people like Grant Cardone and Gary Vee.
Above all, enjoy it, but make sure you find your niche and stick to it. Don’t be a fisherman one day and then a painter the next—I’m not saying you can’t do both, but if you’re going to do it, make sure you have enough content to really have a following from each community. My biggest thing is to publish once so it goes to as many platforms as possible, because that way at least you can knock out a few other things at the same time in one fell swoop. But whatever you choose, the most important thing is just don’t give up.
4. Nutrition can never be sacrificed
I wish I could sit here and tell you that I was more skilled when it came to food preparation. But with the real world and life, I make as healthy decisions as I can with what is accessible to me. It is not that difficult.
However, I think people will find plenty of excuses when it comes to food options when on the road and it certainly shows. As a wrestler, federations in different venues have different budgets in terms of focus and everything else. But if I’m just on the road, I can just go to a gas station and pick up two packages of hard-boiled eggs — we all know they’re about as healthy as you could eat. No need to get pop or chips or pizza or fried food. There are protein bars or those cheese packets with almonds or peanuts. Sure there are still healthy options, you just look a little tougher and that’s all I can do.
And obviously, representing MuscleTech, for the last year and a half I can attribute almost all of my peace of mind to supplements. It really makes it easier to not have to stress about where I’m getting my protein from. Jessie Godderz can’t eat bad food. My stomach can’t stand bad food.
There are many places to eat that will just make me sick. And it’s so traumatic that I don’t care to ever go there again. So it’s very easy to not go to some of these fast food places and eat and be as healthy as I can.
Plus, in the same time it takes to go to an Arby’s or McDonald’s, you can walk to the grocery store and just pick up a bag of fried chicken. Tell me it’s not the same time.
5. Take advantage of every opportunity for growth
My motivation throughout this period was to be in the driver’s seat at all times. When conducting business for me and my brand – specifically just for me. So finally, to be able to be in the driver’s seat in OVW, Now I’m on a live weekly TV show.
The guys making millions of dollars with WWE contracts started in the same building I’m in right now.
I continue to improve my art to continue to stay in shape. These things fully encompass such a complex of roles in entertainment. That vehicle and platform was attractive even to the likes of Netflix, and being able to tell our story through OVW was awesome, because all those opportunities came from that. I don’t take it for granted. And I also know that because of my exposure, there’s a lot of cross-pollination from different communities when it comes to reality TV, pro wrestling, and bodybuilding.
There are about five huge industries that I try to juggle and keep a tail in the water. Everything complements everything else. One project obviously helps to move on to the next. So I don’t take it for granted and just try to be the best I can be. times.
My biggest piece of advice to anyone would be if someone tells you to jump, don’t say how high – instead jump as high as you can and try to knock it out of the park. Because then they know they can count on you and that when you get a chance, you’ll make the most of it.
