Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Vargo
Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After Quarantine, my family unfortunately imploded, and I found myself alone and deep in depression. Thanks to a small group of friends who ended up becoming my patch work family or what we referred to as the island of misfit toys because we all found each other after dealing with some heavy traumas. One of those people was my friend Joe Tate. He contacted me out of the blue, needing help building a small production studio in his backyard. Honestly after having a drag out fight with my depression, I made myself go help him. In the weeks that followed as we worked, we spent everyday bonding over our love and fondness of pro wrestling and the labor of building his studio. We ended up having so much fun we created our first project ” The Super Bodyslam Bros. ” a weekly wrestling pod cast, where we reviewed WWE and AEW content. A chance finding of a flyer for a local wrestling promotion led us to meeting Joe Money, the owner of VPW “Valor Pro Wrestling”. We went to the show and very nervously asked Joe Money to let us review his show. Joe Money gave us our very first opportunity to review a local Independent Wrestling Show and put us on the spot by giving us an opportunity on his show to promote our podcast. Joe Money liked what podcast we produced about his show and gave us a chance to do color commentary at the next show, a dream come true for wrestling super fans like us. There was magic at that show, and we all work well together. We quickly became VPW’s two-man production team. This is when I realized I have a passion and love for video production and producing digital content for VPW. Also, during this time, we met ” Big ” Mike Croy, commander of our local VFW post. After hearing about his efforts in the realm of working with disabled veterans and advocating for their mental and physical health. We also learned about how much Joe Money has done and still does for youth advocacy. We all quickly partnered up under the umbrella of helping the community’s youth mental health services and support for young adults and helping and supporting the community’s Armed forces veterans and our elderly community. We use our relationship with Valor Pro Wrestling and Mike now going by “The All-American Commander ” to help raise awareness about for all these causes at our wrestling shows.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any road you travel on in the name of passion is going to have potholes and traffic that will test your patience and your sanity. Luckly, we made a strong foundation of trust, honestly and respect. So far there hasn’t been an issue or problem we all couldn’t come together and correct quickly. With that said and me knocking on wood, hopefully it stays that way. Honestly with us being in the still infancy of our business, Travel logistics and not impeding on any other promotions ” territories ” we haven’t faced an issue we can solve or work around yet, but so far once they see what our message is, many of the other promotions have wanted to support and help us get our message about veteran care out. At this time, we are in talks with a small handful of other Southern California promotions that want to help support these causes, but that’s many more mile down the path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Never did I think I would absolutely fall in love with digital content creation. Thanks to Valor Pro Wrestling, Joe Tate and I have been given an opportunity to create our love letter to wrestling for being there for us at our happiest times and lowest times. We get to give back to all the baby-faced heroes who inspired us to stay strong amidst adversity and the dastardly villains for giving us attitude and insults to push uncomfortable folks away. To be able to film, edit, add effects, sounds and music to wrestling footage, get outta here! A dream come true for almost any man’s inner child! It has given me the drive to return to school, I want to be legit, if that makes sense. I can’t see myself doing a 9 to 5 ever again. I just recently enrolled into the L.A. Film School to get my degree in digital film creation at 48 years old. Got me feeling like Shirley on the show Community! My daughter Joy has never been prouder of me for chasing a dream.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
First, I want to thank my amazing friends Jerimiah, Mama Way, Shannasaurus Rex, Scuba Steve, ring general Fredward, JayJay, Joe Tate, Joe Money, Mike Mcroy, Marissa, and “Triple M” Mike Martinez. Without them, I never would have gone on this amazing adventure, and with how wacky this world keeps getting, we need our family and friends. We also need to bring back community support and pride. Support and pride for and in your communities’ local businesses, events, parades, shows, music, art, and etc. Strong community support for the elderly, Veterans, children, and disabled. We need to check on our neighbor’s man, you never know who is lost and needs help. Get out and go see a local wrestling show, or local band or play. Be proactive in uplifting your town and city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HeelBook.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slambrotheralex
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081092731808
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ffhshow
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/23zrwDRu2W29mn154CgVlt?si=bc989c7925054786
Image Credits
All photos taken by Alex Vargo and Joe Tate
