JON ARENSON'S "LEARNING THE ROPES" # 2: OCTOBER 25TH 2009

Jon Arenson is currently training at Lance Storm's Wrestling Academy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He will be chronicling his journey to wrestling stardom with the highs, lows, and in betweens, exclusively for MainEventRadio.com.

In my last report, I was just about to embark on a 12 week journey in an attempt to chase my dream of becoming a pro-wrestler. On September 1st I loaded up the rental car and headed west to Calgary. Driving past endless wheat fields, with Gord Downie and the rest of the tragically hip providing the soundtrack I was finally on my way.

Thoughout the summer, while training and getting in shape to come out here, I had mentally prepared myself to be pushed to my mental and physical limits. Boy, was I right.

I am now at the end of week 7 of my training with Lance Storm, and thus far, I have been pushed to my limits. In hindsight, I am very gratful that I did prepare myself, because if I hadn't, I definately wouldn't have lasted this far.

The class started with 16 people, and before we were done the 2nd week, 2 people had already dropped out. I predict that we will see 2 more people quit before the training is over.

While I knew the training would be hard, what I didn't anticipate is the new found appreciation for this art form that I now have. When watching wrestling on television, if a move looks easy to execute, it is NOT because it is, in fact, easy to perform, but rather that those who are performing it are tremenously tallented and very good at what they do.

After we had finished our first week of training, I had no doubt that I had made the right choice is deciding to train at the Storm Wrestling Academy. My class includes future wrestlers from all over the world, including England, France, and America.

Aside from the excellent in ring training I have received, there is one particular day that stands out in my mind as solitifying in my mind that I made the right choice in choosing Lance. It should also stand as a reason why anyone reading this who is thinking of embarking on a carreer in wrestling should head to Calgary.

At the end of week 4 Lance sat the class down for a lecture on steriods, pills, drugs and alcohol. As he began to read the list of wrestlers who had died before they reached their 40th birthdays, chills began to run down my spine. One after another after another, the list seemlingly would not end.

Lance doesn't advocate steroid use or abusing pills, which is probably very different from a lot of trainers out there. With WWE's wellness policy, it really doesn't make sense to begin down that road of steroids. It would be a shame to make it to WWE and have them not sign you to a contract because you are already in violation of their policy.

I've already made my decision that I will not take steroids. If I can't make it on my own, then I can't make it. Luckily, I have a decent enough build where time in the gym will be all that is needed.

If I can give one piece of advice to people wanting to attend Lance's school it would be to show up in shape. You are not coming to the school to get into shape, you are coming to learn how to wrestle. Not showing up in shape will hinder how far you progress in the ring.

For more information, those wishing to become wrestlers can check out Lance's website at academy.stormwrestling.com

Jonathan Arenson