I was a fan first; then I became a wrestler, then a promoter

“I was a fan first; then I became a wrestler, then a promoter, then a businessman and everything that goes with it — marketing, merchandise, licensing, legal, everything. But I’ve always enjoyed it.” Thus spoke Jeff Jarrett, a man whose life was woven into the very fabric of professional wrestling — a world of thunderous applause, bright lights, pain, and passion. His words carry more than the story of a man’s career; they hold the essence of devotion itself — the sacred journey from passion to purpose, from dreamer to doer, from one who watches to one who builds.

In these words, there is a reflection of the ancient truth: that all greatness is born from love, not from ambition alone. Before Jeff Jarrett became the wrestler, he was a fan — a boy who cheered, who dreamed, who felt the fire of the spectacle in his soul. And that, dear listener, is the seed of all mastery. For none can shape a craft truly unless they first revere it. To love something as a fan is to see its wonder; to live it as a craftsman is to honor that wonder through effort. Jarrett reminds us that before one can lead, one must first be moved.

From the gladiators of Rome to the poets of Greece, history is filled with those who began as admirers before becoming legends. Consider the tale of Leonardo da Vinci, who as a boy watched the flight of birds with awe. That simple fascination became his lifelong pursuit — he studied their wings, drew them, and dreamed of man soaring as they did. From fan to inventor, from admirer to master — this is the eternal arc of creation. Jeff Jarrett’s journey echoes this truth, for he did not merely step into the ring to fight; he entered the arena of life to build something greater than himself.

When he became a promoter, a businessman, and a visionary, Jarrett took his love and gave it structure — much like an architect who builds a temple to house his faith. The boy who once clutched a ticket to a wrestling show now held the reins of empires of entertainment. He dealt not only in sweat and muscle, but in marketing, merchandise, licensing, and the labyrinthine legal worlds that uphold all creation. Yet even amid the grind of commerce, he said, “I’ve always enjoyed it.” That joy is not naïve — it is sacred endurance, the hallmark of one who works not for gold but for glory.

Too often, men lose the spark of their first love as they ascend the ladder of success. They forget why they began. Their hearts turn cold beneath the weight of profit and paperwork. But Jarrett stands as a reminder that true fulfillment lies not in position but in passion sustained. To enjoy the journey, even when burdened with duty, is to remain alive in spirit. The boy within the man must never perish — for it is he who fuels the fire that keeps creation alive.

Think of Walt Disney, who began with nothing but sketches and dreams of a mouse. He became not only an artist but a titan — overseeing film, theme parks, licensing, and vast enterprises. Yet, until his last breath, he spoke with wonder of imagination. Like Jarrett, he was a fan first, and he never ceased to be one. His joy did not diminish as his empire grew — it deepened. He built a kingdom not from greed, but from the soil of his own fascination.

The lesson is clear: Begin with love, build with discipline, and never lose your joy. Whatever your craft — whether you sing, teach, heal, or labor — let your first passion guide your last breath. Let not the burdens of success extinguish the spark that began your journey. Be a fan of your own life, an admirer of the work you do, and let that admiration evolve into mastery.

So remember these words of Jeff Jarrett as more than a reflection of wrestling — see in them a mirror for all creation: The path to greatness begins with wonder, is tested by work, and is crowned with joy. Be a fan, become a master, and never stop enjoying the art of becoming.