Wwe hear the incredible journey of Mike Monroe, better known as Xander Invictus. His life has been defined by resilience and passion. From his early days in small-town Ohio to serving as an Army medic in Iraq, Mike's story is one of overcoming adversity and finding purpose. We listen to his transition from the military to pursuing a career in professional wrestling and content creation, revealing the highs, lows, and everything in between. With raw honesty, Mike shares his struggles with PTSD, his love for storytelling, and how he continues to inspire others by turning challenges into triumphs. Join us for a heartfelt conversation that will leave you inspired and eager to follow Mike's ongoing journey!

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Eternal Optimist Podcast with Mike Monroe
• 00:00:39 - A Unique Introduction: The Story of Mike Monroe
• 00:02:41 - From Small Town to Soldier: Mike's Journey Post-9/11
• 00:03:36 - The Harsh Realities of Basic Training and Deployment
• 00:07:15 - The Culture Shock of Military Life
• 00:10:24 - Life After the Military: Wrestling and Content Creation
• 00:13:16 - Deep Dive into Personal Struggles and PTSD
• 00:18:44 - Finding Solace in Movies, Comics, and Jeopardy
• 00:21:15 - Coping Mechanisms: Gaming and Comic Books
• 00:24:28 - Horror Movie Buff: Mike's Take
• 00:26:09 - Nostalgic Horror Movie Moments
• 00:28:23 - Monsters and Mayhem: Family Traditions in Horror
• 00:32:01 - From Horror Movies to Wrestling: Mike's Seamless Transition
• 00:34:27 - Wrestling Journey: Training, Dreams, and Setbacks
• 00:36:00 - Surviving as a Homeless Wrestling Trainee
• 00:38:22 - Injuries and Setbacks in Training
• 00:40:10 - Crafting a Wrestling Persona: Xander Invictus
• 00:42:35 - Hurricane Sandy and the End of a Wrestling Dream
• 00:44:57 - Creating Content and Connecting with Fans
• 00:49:39 - Final Thoughts with the Eternal Optimist

Links And Resources:

• Twitch
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Dropkicks and Attractions Podcast
• Dropkicks and Attractions on YouTube

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!