LILIAN GARCIA is a WWE history maker and one of the most beloved personalities from the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression Eras. Lilian made history as the first woman to ring-announce WrestleMania and also gave a record-breaking three musical performances at the ‘Granddaddy of Them All.'
A barrier breaker who exudes positivity and energy, and as well as being a celebrated singer, award-nominated podcast host and legendary ring announcer in the worlds of both pro wrestling and MMA, Lilian is now also an international keynote speaker, on a mission to help instil Arena Level Confidence into everyone that she meets.
Lilian Garcia joins the #wrestlinglifepod for episode 032 to reflect back on her WWE journey, explore the challenges she has faced in her life, and talk about her overcoming challenges, and her current focus on inspiring others through speaking and music.
LILIAN GARCIA ON THAT INFAMOUS PROMO WITH THE ROCK
"The years of acting came into play," reveals Lilian, reflecting back on the infamous 'People's Strudel' promo with The Rock. "When they yelled cut, we were both laughing so hard. Rock always wanted to do his interviews live and I loved that. With him, he always wanted to feed off the crowd. We would find somewhere by a door where he could actually hear the fans because he racted to them. IIt was wild and I just knew I had to stay in charavcter. There was no way I was going to break character; a reporter does not break that acting wall."
LILIAN GARCIA ON HER TERRIFYING LIVE WWE DEBUT
Lilian Garcia is committed to inspiring Arena Level Confidence in others, but it wasn't smooth sailing for the young announcer when she first joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1999. "I had to learn on the job ... I found out at 3:30pm on my very first day on the job that I would be replacing the legend Howard Finkle with zero training and in front of the 14 million people who were then watching around the world and the 20,000 people in the arena. It took everything I had to stay in my seat and have the courage to walk into that ring."
LILIAN GARCIA ON WHAT REALLY HAPPENED WITH TRIPLE H
Looking back on 25 years since debuting with WWE, many interviewers have tried to find out the real reason why Lilian Garcia once announced Triple H as "the former World champion", prompting The Game to chase her out of the arena. Would Lilian reveal the answer on the #wrestlinglifepod?
EPISODE 032 HIGHLIGHTS: LILIAN GARCIA
Lilian’s confidence and courage were key to her success in WWE: .
She made history as the first woman to ring announce WrestleMania.
Lilian performed the National Anthem numerous times in her WWE career.
Community and connection has been hugely important to Lilian's wrestling life and personal journey.
Lilian is passionate about missions and helping others globally
She plans to bring back her “Chasing Glory” show in the future, and is also focused on producing more faith-based music and focus on faith-based music.
KEY INSIGHTS FROM LILIAN GARCIA
Arena-Level Confidence: Lilian discusses how confidence equates to courage, allowing individuals to take risks and break barriers, which is essential in wrestling and life.
Learning on the Job: Her experiences in WWE taught her that it’s okay to not be fully prepared for every situation. Embracing opportunities can lead to growth and success.
Impact of Music and Faith: Lilian’s return to singing, especially in a faith-based context, highlights the healing power of music and its ability to inspire others.
Navigating Challenges: Lilian emphasises that personal storms can lead to profound insights. Overcoming adversity often strengthens one’s resolve and perspective.
Community Importance: Lilian’s experiences show that connection and compassion within communities are vital for healing and support during tough times.
Legacy in Wrestling: Her history-making roles in WWE and the memories she created resonate with fans, showcasing the lasting impact of her contributions to wrestling.
Encouraging Others: Through her speaking engagements, Lilian aims to empower individuals by sharing her journey, emphasising that everyone has the potential to inspire and uplift others.
Just days after the interview aired, it was announced by WWE that Lilian Garcia would be returning to the company as a full-time ring announcer. We couldn't be happier. Congratulations, Lilian!
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