Post by Moments In Life on Dec 24, 2017 20:59:20 GMT -5
MERCEDES: I’m so excited about tonight’s show, and I’m sure everyone is excited about tonight’s guest. But before I jump in I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I definitely enjoyed mines, I spent time with my family and with that little break I had, I was able to focus on home life and being around my children.
The audience claps.
MERCEDES: But I’m back and tonight one of my favorite ladies is here and yes I’m getting all the tea on her. She goes by many nicknames but with one known to everyone I’m sure Arkia will come out and give us a show.
(Arkia Backstage)
Mercedes smiles, she listens to the applause and cheers coming from audience and embraces it.
MERCEDES: So I don’t want to keep everyone waiting so ladies and gentlemen please welcome to the stage. ARKIA!
Dressed to kill and raise the deceased in her D&G dress Arkia Fisk-Jones walks out to the stage her wrestling theme song “She’s A Bitch” by Missy Elliott playing in the background. The crowd showing her love immediately as the Hall of Famer walks right up to Mercedes having no problem giving her a hug. After the quick embrace Arkia turns back toward the screaming audience putting her hands up in a praying motion saying thanking you to each one of them and waving before moving toward her seat on the set.
MERCEDES: The audience loves you, I’m so excited to have you on the show so thank you again for doing this. I know a lot of people aren’t big on interviews or doing talk shows but when my team reached out you automatically replied with a yes, so thank you.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Don’t mention it at all I aint never turning down my people like that. Thank you and your team for reaching out.
MERCEDES: By the way, you look fabulous, especially after three kids.
A pause between their conversation hits due to the crowd cheering so loudly in agreement to her statement. Arkia smiles out at the audience in appreciation once again of them showing love. She turns back toward Mercedes shortly after.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Mercedes let me tell you. This was work. I’m still not eating how I want to eat but it pays off in the end.
MERCEDES: I have three myself, a teenager, a preteen almost and then of course Drexel which is the baby. They are my world!
A familiar family picture shows of Mercedes and her three kids to which the crowd gives an ‘awww’ too. The picture transitions to a similar like family photo with stills of Arkia with her triplets and then her husband Tj Jones also with his fatherly edition of him with the triplets and then one with them all together. It looks really recent with a Thanksgiving themed background behind each picture. The crowd continuing to aww the moments.
MERCEDES: Speaking if the kids, how are the little ones? I’m sure it’s a handful because you have triplets correct?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Yaaassss gurl. Let me start by saying the numbers game is truly real and at the same time it is not a game at all. They are 3 to 2 and both me and Tj end up feeling it no matter how much we try to fight.
Arkia smiles a laughs a bit before looking up at the big screen showing their family photos. Arkia smiles at the picture pointing upward.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: On the left, that’s our oldest Stella Marie. She’s the leader of the troop and her status as the firstborn has already been verified in her mind pushing her little brother and sister around. Our son, Thomas Jacob IV, was born second. he’s in the middle there with blue eyes just like his daddy. He’s such a little protector but he’s got my wildstreak in him so I know I’m going to have to watch him as he gets older. Then on the far right, that’s our babygirl May Lynn. She is such a little thinker. Right now with how they interact she’s going to be the one that masterminds the other two out of trouble I can just tell. She’s quick. It’s funny because you see them here all the innocence in their faces. The smiles.
Arkia gives them all a ‘yeah right’ expression and laughs heavy.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Those are my gremlins and I love them to death. Truly are the biggest blessing I’ve ever had in my life but this year two been a...lord have mercy. They’ll be 3 in Jan. But these twos girl, these twos. I heard of terrible twos but they need to call it treacherous. Like...like a hurricane. From the teething to the potty training. It has been a journey but they are my stars. Handful is right though Cedes. Handful is right.
MERCEDES: Wow that’s a lot, I know right now I think I’m done with kids. I’m a single parent so it’s rough but luckily I’m able to provide for my kids. But I’m not in it alone, I’m actually good friends with my baby fathers except the first one, but the other two I’m good with.
Mercedes sighs shaking her head.
MERCEDES: That sounds so bad, three baby fathers. Ha! Anyway speaking of baby fathers you’re still currently with yours. TJ correct? Tell me how that’s going?
Arkia lights up with the thought of her husband. The pictures transitioning to one of just her and Tj from way back when. Back when they were wrestling together in Phoenix Wrestling holding the Tag Team Championship belts together. The youthful days. Arkia can’t help but giggle at the throwback.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Oh my god, look at us. Yes, oh my God that picture. First it doesn’t sound bad Cedes it sounds like you held love in your life and we all do. Tj Jones and I have been a Illaid level epic. I knew of him in 2009. Officially met early 2010. I hated his guts. Anyone who really knows us knows the story. He aint like me too much either.
The crowd laughs right along with Arkia and Mercedes.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: No I’m serious like on camera and off there was absolutely nothing I thought we had in common. He was so goodie two shoe’ish it made me ill. I used to watch him backstage like ‘Just look at this (bleeping) guy, really?’ Although I can sit here and admit I always thought he was attractive looking I just knew he would be someone who would get on my nerves and I would constantly want to knock upside the head, yet here we are. Life is funny as hell. Through it all...here we are.
MERCEDES: I know at one point you guys hit a wall in your relationship, can you tell me what happened with that?
Arkia’s smile fades just a little a sign of her still knowing the fault points of the relationship lied with her more no matter how much of a two way street it is.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: There was a time I honestly felt I wasn’t the focal point. Not to say I need to be all and everything in his mind he obviously has a lot on his plate. Just...I just didn’t feel as appreciated as I thought I deserved to be. I was in my feelings about a lot of things myself and it probably helped steer me in directions I shouldn’t have went. It was rough. I took a lot out on him because I’ve always been a strong woman and to be in such a vulnerable place pissed me off even more so I just ended up placing blame on him for that which just made it worse. Then when professional pressures weighed on us, that made it worse. Which weighed on us even more. Yeah…
Arkia sighs a little remembering a lot of choices she made back then.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: That was an extremely rough point for us both. We’ve had our ups and downs but I think there comes a point where if you both aren’t willing to let go of each other. You shouldn’t. We’ve...never let go of each other from the good, bad, or ugly.
MERCEDES: I always say relationships aren’t perfect, I’ve only been married once and I tried my best to make it work but once I knew it wouldn’t work, I left. But relationships wouldn’t be real if you guys didn’t argue or disagree, I mean it’s natural.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Yup it’s just how you handle those moments that decide best in my opinion. Some people check out of the relationship long before it reaches the official end. Gotta make sure you in for the right reasons or get out because it only hurts more in the end.
MERCEDES: Are you interested in having more kids with TJ?
The crowd giving a “woo woo” kind of sound while Arkia’s smile brightens.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: I am. He’s a little too handsome not to populate the world with. Wanted the gremmies to get a certain point in their age first beforehand. We want them to be more of help with the new baby and not a harm. They’ll probably be jealous as all hell too but I have a very hard time denying my husband. He won’t tell you but I will.
MERCEDES: Name one thing TJ does that just irritates the hell out of you?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Mmmmm, see he play. That innocent role. He be trying it. It’s cute somedays, downright adorable don’t get me wrong but he trying it like I don’t know how he is behind closed doors. Like people aren’t aware of how and when those triplets were made. Like booooy if you don’t stop. I be wanting to flip the hell out of his goodie two shoes.
MERCEDES: Ha that’s cute, but even things like that are petty and it happens. Sometimes they do to us because they know it’ll get a rise out of us, they like to play fight.
Mercedes smiles and Arkia laughs along.
MERCEDES: But girl you have been busy lately, I mean I could go down the list of what you have going on, acting jobs, trainer, and it looks like you own a couple businesses so how do you have the time?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Time...it’s a priority type of thing to me. There’s only so many hours in the day. So many in the week. So on and so forth. You have to prioritize your time but also prioritize what is important to you. At this stage in my life my entire being in set on three little bodies that will want for nothing but be responsible in everything. My husband and I started with wild schedules, demanding times, and many junctures to go into so it’s kind of always been second nature for us and have that understanding between us. It took us awhile to get there don’t get me wrong but I think one thing that has helped is us both having our own things. I’m just now getting into acting really, that’s always been his blessing. I’ve been training for the better part of 7 years in total. My two first proteges being HKW Hall of Famer, Jason Mentez and soon to be Hall of Famer in SSWA, Danielle Vasquez. Becoming a part of HKW’s RISE branch as a trainer was almost a no brainer especially considering who they had coming. Legends in the field all around how could I not? Business is what I started in. I’ve always been a wrestler at heart and always will be but that MBA on my office wall is a baddie too. What I went to school for before my wrestling career became what it is today. My Mom bashed me over and over about trying to wrestle and not finishing my degree. I used to hate her for it but I get it now. It’s good to have multiple places to be able to lay your head. A Jackie of all trades you get me? It’s how I’ve been able to enjoy my life at this point instead of having to constantly grind in and out of shows like I used to. I used to have to go from motel room to motel room just trying to make a way. I get much better sleep with familiarity around me.
MERCEDES: What made you want to start training? I mean you were a beast in the ring so is this your way to be involved with wrestling again? Or was it something that you just felt like you should do?
Arkia’s finger goes up to that question.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Were? Girl still is a beast between them ropes. Don’t let the age fool.
Arkia laughs along with the audience giving a shout and holla at that.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: For real now I can still go but what made me want to start training actually was trying to save a life. The Jason Mentez you know now isn’t the same one anyone of you knew then. TRUST. I didn’t even think about becoming a trainer I just thought “How to help this boy out because he isn’t going to make it like this.” Everything that could pull at his ankles to drag him into a statistic tried to. I’m just glad he made it out of his circumstances and has grown in his years. Danielle was the same way. Very different and yet harsh situations, I just showed them a way. Wrestling was always my way. Why not pay it forward? On an even grander scale. Plus, I always love being close to the ring. Keeps me motivated. Keeps the shape. Doesn’t matter how things end I just wanted to give a beginning. Doing that I know I did right.
MERCEDES: After I retired I trained also, I’m the one who helped Brooklyn and London Carter get started and a few others. But once I decided to focus on music and releasing more albums, I left all that alone. But there has been rumors going on that you’ve been playing with the idea of returning to the ring?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: The message boards are always playing around with that aint they? Little dirt sheets I swear.
Arkia chuckles and sighs.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: It’s honestly always out there if I’m being honest. Gotta be the right place right time type of thing I think. I’ve already did the grind side of my career if I want to do that again it will have to be for the love of the sport and I’ve always loved and will always love the sport.
MERCEDES: I always feel like everyone has that one last round in them so why not? Whatever decision you do make I think it would be great to see you wrestle again.
Crowd cheers on the concept of her return hoping that it does happen and Arkia does return to the ring.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: It would be interesting as all hell that is for sure.
MERCEDES: So Rise? How did that happen?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Well...I’m not the main head honcho there. Brett Sands, shoutout to him. He brought the business to business. What really I would say sold it to me was who was involved. Aurora Jansen and one of the top 5 dead or alive in Andreas Lasiewicz I knew this place wouldn’t be a joke and more than anything I would be able to teach how I teach. This...business has become such a PC formation of sorts. The kids coming out can be a lot softer than those back in our day and it’s like I can tell them the truth my way but then in certain places that comes with paperwork and meetings and all this other ‘be nice’ kind of act that doesn’t make sense to me. This business isn’t nice. It’s never been nice why lead these kids on false pretenses on what they getting into you know? I never understood that. Everyone being your friends when you know good well that won’t be the case when the bell rings. I’d rather be a realist you know what I mean?
MERCEDES: HKW is one of the most respected companies out there so not a bad choice to be employed by.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Oh most definitely. One of the few serious places left in the business.
The audience claps.
MERCEDES: So you also own a wrestling school correct?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: That’s correct.
MERCEDES: Now you currently have 3 locations? Like that’s a lot girl, how do you manage?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Will be 3 soon yes. True Business Gym. The Atlanta branch will be opening April 2018. The main focus being a place for peak physical fitness. I only extend the school to those serious about making a career in professional wrestling. In my time I’ve seen many say they want part of the sacred circle but in the end not wanting to work for it. Being with RISE though we have been building on gym side of all three places. Newark. Miami and now soon Atlanta. It’s been a long time coming but I’ve slowly and surely building. You looking for a place to work out and get it together, we got you.
The audience cheers it up after hearing that.
MERCEDES: I respect your hustle, You’re working hard to provide for your family, your a mother but also a businesswoman and that’s exactly what your doing handling business.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Appreciated Mercedes. I’m just trying to leave my mark where I can. Also shoutout to the squad Honolulu Havok. They just came through with a big win at home. If you haven’t watched the LFL start watching. Girls are legit and so is the game. Love you ladies! Mwah.
Arkia blows a kiss their way giving a shout out to the LFL team she owns in Hawaii.
MERCEDES: Have you thought about owning something different? Maybe a club? Or maybe starting a fashion line for fitness since your heavily involved in that and girl with that body I’m sure a product you create would sell.
ARKIA FISK-JONES I’ve thought about a line of sorts. My husband has his line of shoes with Nike. The Black Sparrows. I’ve always wanted to kinda get into a bra line honestly. Growing up finding sports bras for the big girls always was kind of a struggle. Even now with so many successful women in professional wrestling there’s still kind of a demand for the larger breasted ladies you know? So you are hitting the mark on the fitness fashion line Mercedes, reading my mind girl our people gonna have to talk.
The crowd laughs at that a little as Arkia daps Mercedes up. They both laugh together at that as well.
MERCEDES: Your also acting now right? Tell me a little about that.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: I’ve worked on a few shows and movies behind the scenes. I was in a reality show before as well. Evolve has put so many great opportunities in front of me and this one I’m really excited about. I’ll be playing Claire Washburn in the eVolve reboot of the James Patterson series, Women’s Murder Club. She’s a Chief Medical Examiner and a very legit kind of character so I’m very excited in playing her in this series. There will be four leads, four women, a very empowering kind of feel to the whole thing so yes I am geeked.
MERCEDES: I’ve done a few roles and appeared a couple shows, it’s a great feeling but it’s a lot of hard work. Is this something you want to do long term?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: I would like to but first I have to show the acting chops I guess you would say. I have a perfect help in Tj who been on the big screen so many times we’ve lost count. It’s never been something I thought I could do in all honesty but now that I’ve been in the circles for awhile now, learning both in front and behind the screen I think it’s a future I could do well in. It’s a challenge and you know I love my challenges.
MERCEDES: You are everywhere girl, I know in the past the blogs were running a story regarding you having health issues, I don’t know what’s true or what isn’t but with everything you have going on and you possibly returning to the ring don’t you think that would cause even more issues if that rumor was true.
Arkia nods for a moment knowing what she’s talking about.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: I have had issues with DVT. Deep Vein Thrombosis. It’s been an issue of mine since before things ended with PDW. It was something heavily monitored during my pregnancy and even now it’s something I have to keep up with due to chances of recurring and other stuff. Right now I’m glad to say I’m healthy nothing in the scans showing but yeah it can be a serious health issue if not handled properly.
MERCEDES: I just know sometimes taking on a lot of things at one can cause issues when it comes to health. I just want you to be careful and plus you seem to really enjoy the acting and you stated you wanted to take on more roles so we need to make sure we can see you in these future roles.
Mercedes smiles, she winks at Arkia.
MERCEDES: Now it's time to name this week's HATER OF THE WEEK and the only reason why I chose this person was because during my time off, i was at home catching up on all my shows. And I started watching Teen Mom 2 because it was a marathon on and I got sucked in. And Kailyn Lowry, you are a bitch!
The crowd gaps.
MERCEDES: You know me and how I have my opinions on stuff but watching that marathon and watching how she treated her husband was just crazy to me. Be lucky you have a man that really wants you because that’s hard to find out in these streets these days now don’t get me wrong I don’t know the full history of their relationship but from watching it on TV, she really destroys that man and he just takes it.
Mercedes shakes her head.
MERCEDES: But on a side note, Javi is fine though. Anyway moving on, and back to my guest tonight Ms. Arkia baby, I want to know what’s next for you though? What do you expect to accomplish in let’s say the next 5 years?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: I want to expand and build upon my business start moving west and getting more advancements there. I want to keep bringing in more opportunities and helping the future of the business. I’m pretty much set so anything I end up doing in life I’m going to enjoy it or it won’t be a part of my life at all. That’s universal from business to people and life in general. I’m on the fruits of labor mode now. I’ve had to already make so many changes to fit making me happy. That’s what is most important to me now.
MERCEDES: It seems like you're where you want to be or getting there. When I look at you I see a smart woman, a comfortable woman, I mean with all the businesses and jobs you have going for yourself I’m sure your money is where it wants to be?
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Oh for certain. I’ve worked too hard not to have it any other way.
MERCEDES: Have you ever thought about investing?
Arkia points toward Mercedes giving a thought with a smile.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: I have thought about it but it’s got to be something I know will come out right. I’ve given my time to a lot of projects that didn't deserve me or the money I put on so I tend to be a lot more selective now in how I throw my hand into things.
MERCEDES: I think you should do your own reality show, with your growing family and careers, your story could possibly help others and maybe teach them something. Plus your a comic so I’m sure you and TJ would be great to watch.
The cheering of the crowd showing they agree. Arkia smiles at their response thanking them.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: I would love to do something like that again. Tj and I had a part in a reality show back when we were both still wrestling. It did very well for the time being and so many things have changed between then and now it would be interesting to throw our hands in that again. Now we have kids, no longer in the ring week to week, it’s crazy...our lives have changed greatly.
MERCEDES: And this body girl, I can see why you decided to dabble in the fitness world, tell the world your secrets.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: How you eat is a big part. I’ll be honest I can be terrible with my sweet tooth but I have a great support group that keeps me in line more times than not. Outside of that I’ve been a gym rat since the age of 14. The squat game is real. It is not a myth. I repeat, it is NOT a myth. But, don’t just think it’s all coming to you with that alone. You have to take care of yourself universally to see those changes and I’ll be the first to tell you it isn’t easy but it’s worth it. Also, I’ve just started getting heavily into yoga. I’m a believer. It’s relaxing and very soul searching in a way. You get a sense of self therapy in the midst of getting your body right. Look into it ladies and even gentlemen, it is a worthwhile endeavor. Trust Ms. Business, I only know good business.
MERCEDES: Well everyone that it’s for tonight’s show, and again I want to thank my special guest Arkia for stopping by. Make sure you tune in the Evolve Network and catch her wowing us behind the camera and of course you can keep up with her on social media.
ARKIA FISK-JONES: Yaaaaasssss @arkiafiskjones, you already know. Keep up with the Atlanta opening at @truebigym. Also your favorite LFL team my Havok Hittaz @havokthelfl. Thank you so much Mercedes. I enjoyed this.
MERCEDES: We gotta do this again girl, thank you!
Mercedes blows a kiss at Arkia and waves to the audience, Pills and Automobiles by Chris Brown plays through the speakers as the credits roll.