Joseph Conners Coaches Wrestling at Elevation Academy, Highlights Student Transformation

Professional wrestler Joseph Conners states, “We’ve seen people truly evolve in their personalities and also their athletic abilities.” The 37-year-old, who has traveled globally during his 18-year career, is now imparting the skills he has acquired to others. Mr. Conners holds the position of head coach at the Elevation Wrestling Academy in Loughborough, which he describes as “a real passion project.” He told the BBC, “There’s people on our shows who, when I first met them, literally couldn’t do a forward roll.” He further stated, “Now they’re performing in front of hundreds of people and doing a hell of a job doing it as well.” Conners concluded, “That is something I’m immensely proud of and that’s not just all down to me, that’s down to the people themselves.” The Elevation Academy is equipped with a 16ft (5m) professional wrestling ring, which is surrounded by crash mats. Conners stated, “We’ve built it up since April. It was basically a place just spray painting cars and now it’s our little mini wrestling performance centre.” Mr. Conners states that the ability to transmit the knowledge he has acquired in a profession he loves is “incredible,” and he added, “I’m still learning every day.” Elevation Wrestling is set to host two events this weekend: the first at Brockington College in Enderby on Saturday, and the second at Coalville Labour Club on Sunday. These shows will feature former WWE UK stars, including the East End Butcher, Shar Samuels, Millie Mackenzie, and the tag team the Hunter Brothers. The events will also feature individuals Mr. Conners describes as “Elevation homegrown talent,” including Rory Davis, textbook Dave Breaks, and Ricky Regan. Mr. Conners expresses that it has been “awesome” to witness both young and older adults progress through the academy. He commented, “Wrestling very much projects confidence.” He added, “But like a lot of people in today’s society, even myself, we all suffer with forms of anxiety and self-confidence issues.” Conners concluded, “But wrestling gives you that opportunity – it’s a bit like being a superhero or a supervillain.” Mr. Conners believes that wrestling is not an easy skill to master, but its rewards and benefits are “amazing.” He stated, “It’s like anything.” He further elaborated, “If you’re learning to take a penalty in football and you put it through the net, it’s the same hitting the ropes, learning how to fall, learning how to do a slam, all these kind of little accomplishments – and seeing people buzz from all ages, all walks of life, all backgrounds, all genders, that is what I’m doing it for.”