It can be defined as the constant fear of being perceived as unsuccessful (Picture: Getty)
Status has never been more important.
Your job status, your relationship status, your social media status are all markers of worth in modern existence.
But at what cost?
The term ‘status anxiety’ was first popularised by philosopher Alain de Botton in his 2004 book of the same name.
It can be defined as the constant fear or worry of being perceived as unsuccessful by wider society. This societal tension is often seen as a phenomenon derived from capitalism and its subsequent inequalities.
It’s a notion embedded in a need to climb the social ladder and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority.
At some point in life, all of us will experience such beliefs. Whether it’s feeling small in comparison to someone with a bigger house, better car, or nicer clothes.
And in today’s society, many of us will recognise the feeling from social media. Scrolling through Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn can quickly turn from an innocent habit into a damaging ritual.
Career and lifestyle comparisons are rife online, and the strain to be perceived as good and better is at times suffocating.
In his book, De Botton makes clear that status anxiety is not connected with envy or jealously. Instead, it is a manifestation of stresses that arise when self-worth is reliant on the validation of outside sources.
According to psychologist Jason O’ Callaghan of The D4 Clinic, status anxiety is not recognised as a psychological disorder within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders but is very much a prevalent modern issue.
Career and lifestyle comparisons are rife online (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
‘It is a type of success anxiety that is based on material goods such as brands, cars, property, holidays, jewellery and so on, rather than personal traits such as kindness and empathy,’ he tells Metro.co.uk.
‘It leads those who are vulnerable to question their own place in society and ask themselves why they are not doing better and keeping up with their peer group.
‘This is reinforced by the current world we live in where we are bombarded on a daily basis with social media images of lifestyle, income and relationships which are not based in reality.’
Jason says that status anxiety tends to affect those who are already suffering from low self-esteem, come from underprivileged backgrounds where the divide between rich and poor is more evident, and those who are already susceptible to other types of anxiety disorders and depression.
While the mental strain of such thoughts is a burden to bear, Jason also notes that reactions can be physical.
‘Symptoms tend to be what we term the ‘flight or fight response’, he explains.
‘This includes feelings of nervousness, restlessness, a sense of impending danger, increased heart rate, hyperventilation, sweating, trembling, feeling weak, tired, trouble concentrating and an intense wanting to be deemed good enough.’
Jason adds that pressures from social media, friends, family and work can lead to increased feelings of anxiousness regarding status, yet most of the worry comes from the individual.
‘The idea that one can garner friends and status from material success is a common false belief that triggers many,’ he explains.
To overcome this anxiety, Jason says that therapy, meditation, hypnotherapy, exercise and a balanced diet can help. Focusing on activities you enjoy and limiting social media use is vital, especially if you find yourself feeling worse after its use.
Dr Alexander Lapa, a psychologist for Ocean Recovery Centre, says status anxiety isn’t all bad and can benefit some.
‘For some, it can help us to succeed and aim for more,’ he explains. ‘We also have to remember that when we succeed, our brain releases dopamine and testosterone. That will also be released when we succeed in conveying to our peers that we are successful. People will chase that.’
However, to overcome the negative burden of status anxiety, Dr Lapa believes we need to realise that the idea of status is a societal illusion.
‘The particular status anxiety you feel is personal to you, and the image or feeling of your status is not necessarily felt with as much disdain by others,’ he explains.
‘Status is illusory and can change at any time. The societal ideals of status are constantly changing, but remember even the most successful in life may never fit into certain cliques.’
Finally, he says that status can no longer have a hold over you if you change your understanding of it.
‘Change your entire perception of status,’ he advises. ‘Remember that status is set by society, but is society always right?
‘Asking this can help you overcome status anxiety as it can reveal that societal ideals do not necessarily match your own.
Will Piers return to GMB? (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX)
Piers Morgan has claimed he’s been asked to return to Good Morning Britain, months after sensationally quitting the show over his comments on Meghan Markle.
While he wouldn’t name names, Piers claimed a ‘third-party’ had reached out to see if he would consider a return to the network’s flagship program, which is yet to announce a permanent replacement for him.
He told The Sun: ‘As the Americans say, they reached out — there have been approaches to test the water in the wake of their obvious ratings issues.
‘It makes me sad to see all the hard work we did to beat the BBC in viewing numbers evaporate so fast.
‘It’s their problem to work out … but never say never.’
Piers left the show after saying he did not believe what the Duchess of Sussex said during her explosive TV interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.
The duchess said she was ignored when raising concerns about her mental health and that racist comments had been made before the birth of her son, Archie.
He regrets walking off set (Picture: ITV/REX)
It later emerged Meghan made a formal complaint to ITV about Morgan, with Ofcom receiving more than 40,000 complaints in the days that followed Piers’s criticism of the interview.
However, asked about his infamous walk-out from the set after his on-air tiff with Alex Beresford, Piers did concede he regretted the moment.
Claiming ITV ‘didn’t offer any support’ amid his departure, he said: ‘I shouldn’t have walked off, though, I do regret that. You can’t be the great crusader of free speech and then walk off when someone says something you don’t like.’
Ever the optimist, Piers believes he can pummel BBC Breakfast – GMB’s closest competitor – in the ratings again, after, on his last day, more viewers tuned into the ITV show.
Still he noted his doubt anyone would be allowed to ‘do it that way’ again, adding he was ‘hired to give very strong, honestly held opinions’.
Piers noted he had one caveat to his return – he wanted to produce as well as present, adding he would ‘seriously consider it’ if he were allowed to ‘rip it up’ and pick his team.
Which doesn’t bode well for popular presenter Alex whose on-air clash with Piers resulted in the journalist storming out in sensational scenes that hit headlines around the world – and resulted in his eventual resignation.
When asked who would be in his team, Piers responded: ‘Well, a certain weatherman definitely wouldn’t be around . . . ’
Ready for a new month? (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
June is nearly here, and with it comes new opportunity to take control of your life.
But what areas should you be focusing on? What’s your next move?
Your monthly tarotscope is here to help guide you.
Ahead you’ll find every star sign’s tarotscope for the month of June.
Each tarot horoscope shares the three tarot cards that have been drawn for that star sign, then dives into what these mean.
We also recommend one essential message to keep with you this month.
For Taurus, for example, June will see a blast from the past – in a romantic sense.
Read on for your star sign’s tarotscope for June ahead.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
It’s time to make a decision, Aries (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: The Hermit, Two of Wands, Ace of Wands.
Meaning: Stay or go.
The Hermit sees you in a reflective and solitary kind of mode; you’re taking yourself and your life seriously, and thinking about where you’re heading, and why.
It’s all pretty deep, but necessary, because if you’re not consciously in control of your destiny, then who is?
The Two and Ace of Wands show that you’re circling a future decision, approaching a cross roads, a choice between staying as is, or striking out onto a new path. The good news, Aries, is that neither choice is wrong – both can lead to fulfilment and happiness.
The key thing here is to be conscious and deliberate in your decision. Don’t drift along. Decide to stay or decide to go, and commit to that choice with confidence and optimism. The time has come to make up your mind.
Brace yourself for a blast from the past (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Six of Cups, The Lovers, Knight of Cups
Meaning: Love life past.
This trio of cards combine to create an emerging love story in your life right now. Something new is brewing (or rekindling) and it’s linked to something or someone from your past making a reappearance.
The Lovers and Knight of Cups are both romance cards. In terms of actual people, they can indicate a Gemini, Cancer, Pisces or Scorpio.
In terms of situations, they do lean towards new people, something that sweeps off your feet (even if it shouldn’t, or you oughtn’t…).
Love doesn’t follow rules, right?
The Six of Cups is the nostalgia card, and indicates that the catalyst for this love fest will emerge from your past. Could be an ex, a lost love, a plan or dream you once had but never acted on.
Be open to ghosts coming back, and actually making your love life better.
Gemini, you’ll need to make a sacrifice this month (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Ten of Cups, The High Priestess, Ten of Swords
Meaning: Sacrifice.
You need to make a sacrifice this June, and the good news is that it will pay off and bring back a greater reward than whatever you successfully yield or give up.
The Ten of Cups is balanced by the Ten of Swords here, and represents this sacrifice.
In order to achieve greater love, fulfilment, contentment and joy in your closest relationships you do need to let something go, to exit a mindset or behaviour that is getting in the way. Identify it, and change it, and reap the rewards.
The High Priestess reinforces that this is something you personally need to figure out and do yourself, it’s not your partner/friend/colleague/family member – it’s you. And, deep down, you probably already know what it is.
We all have old habits, they linger because we aren’t called out on it. Call yourself out now, and make this sacrifice. It’s so worth it.
Let go a little, Cancer (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: The Hanged Man, Ace of Cups, Two of Coins
Meaning: Distraction leads to action.
Sometimes you can get so fixated on one thing that it actually paralyses the energy and momentum there, and makes you feel like life is stagnating – when it isn’t, you’re just over-fixating on one single area.
Broaden your horizons this month, Cancer, with the plate-spinning Two of Coins and creative project green light Ace of Cups. Start new ventures, join in, activate a plan, take up something new and interesting. The more you do, the less you’ll notice the one bit that isn’t working or moving as you’d like it to.
And you know what? The Hanged Man indicates that it’s when you’re not looking that this area will suddenly spring back into action, and normal service will be resumed. Sometimes we just have to give something (or someone) time and space to work itself out.
Leo, the cards are telling you to take a much-needed break (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Page of Cups, Four of Swords, The World
Meaning: Happy holidays.
I think this card combination is a clear and direct message that you need to take a break! The cosmos is giving you a hall pass to get out of class and go have some much-needed respite and fun.
The Four of Swords is the tarot’s sick note card and crops up when we’re circling close to fatigue or even burnout. You need to step back and rest.
The Page of Cups is a creative, wholesome, pleasure-seeking card about enjoying life and finding contentment in simple pleasures and activities.
The World is the tarot’s final card, and can represent, literally, international travel, or certainly changing your scenery. New landscape means new opportunity. A change is as good as a rest.
Get away from work, and make time to relax. The cosmos orders it!
Tarot cards for June: Three of Swords, Eight of Coins, Five of Coins
Meaning: Self awareness.
Why are you trying so hard to make something work that is so obviously broken beyond repair (and is not your fault or responsibility)?
Sometimes, Virgo, you can try too hard and put too much pressure on yourself to make a go of things which just aren’t ready/right.
The Three of Swords shows up when we need to surgically remove something painful from our life, because it’s just going to keep on causing angst and stress.
The Eight of Coins is you endeavouring to fix this issue, make it right, smooth over the cracks… and it hasn’t worked. In fact, it’s hurting you.
The Five of Coins is a pat on the back, to say ‘well done’ for trying, but that it’s time to acknowledge you need to cut your losses. There’s nothing for you here, and you will feel immediate relief and relaxation when you finally let go. Better times (and people) are waiting up ahead.
Expect emotiva changes this month, Libra (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Five of Wands, The High Priestess, King of Cups
Meaning: Emotive changes.
From tension and conflict can come new growth and fresh ideas and a wonderful change of heart and plans.
The Five of Wands sees you facing into a squall this June, and feeling like you’ve outgrown something, or someone. You have!
The High Priestess shows that this process started internally a while back, this has been creeping up on you for a while, and is just now manifesting itself. Recognise that change is needed, and heed your intuition, because it’s going to guide you onwards.
The King of Cups shows this is a romance-related area or something which is very heartfelt and emotive for you. Feelings are running high, but addressing this and making a change will make you feel so empowered and in control. Don’t delay – get to it.
June is all about personal development for Scorpio (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Seven of Cups, Ace of Coins, Two of Coins
Meaning: Personal development.
When you invest in yourself your labour is never wasted – remember that this month, Scorpio, when you’re planning how you spend your time and where you focus your energy.
The Two of Coins asks you to get busy living and take on lots of new enterprises. You can handle it. Variety is the spice of life, and, also, when you cover a lot of ground, you can find out where you belong all the faster.
The Ace of Coins shows that lasting new beginnings are in the offing. Nothing is going to radically take hold overnight, but the seeds you sow now will grow into something positive down the line.
The Seven of Cups asks you to bring your ideas and daydreams to life this month. Whatever inspires you, or makes you feel excited, is where you should be focused.
Go make yourself busy and invest in doing things that motivate and develop you. It’s all about personal growth this June.
Take some time for gratitude, Sagittarius (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Six of Coins, Nine of Coins, Strength
Meaning: You have a great life.
Some people say life is never about the destination but the journey. I guess that’s true and we surely never reach the end (well, until, you know…), so you’ve got to learn to be happy with what you’ve got right now, in this moment.
The Six and Nine of Coins are a message about that for you. They ask you to appreciate all of the gifts, strengths, advantages and opportunities lying in front of you at this moment in time. You are wealthy in good fortune (you’re ruled by Jupiter, the planet of good luck, for a start).
Strength is a powerful tarot card about wising up, growing up, getting stronger and more resilient, and learning to be happy and comfortable in your own skin, whilst taking care of others around you. This is kind of the secret to a happy life, and you will make real headway in that lesson this June.
Savour your life, be good to those you care about, enjoy the role and value you bring to others, be proud of who you’ve become. You’re good, Sag.
This month should be a wake up call (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Four of Cups, Four of Wands, King of Swords
Meaning: Wake up call.
You’re never one for slacking, but you might’ve slightly taken your eye off the ball recently, Cap, as shown by the meh Four of Cups.
Perhaps you’ve felt disconnected from your goals, or like they don’t really count like they used to, or you just feel differently.
The Four of Wands brings new energy and ambition into the picture this June, and you’re ready to roll with a chapter of self-improvement and progress again, related to either your home or your work (or both!).
Making a move to get a better position is in play. New landscape means new opportunity.
The King of Swords shows it feels so good to have the bit between your teeth again. You’re never happier than when you’ve got a plan, a goal, and the va va voom to get going.
You are back to your organised, disciplined, and high-energy self again. Thank goodness.
Prepare for a challenge ahead, Aquarius (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Knight of Swords, Nine of Cups, Knight of Coins
Meaning: Challenge.
Sometimes we need to run just to stand still, because life moves pretty fast and other people are all busy making their own moves too. Shake off any and all complacency you’ve gotten into, Aquarius, with the Knights of Swords and Coins, and get hustling.
The Nine of Cups shows you’re protecting or guarding something precious to you, something that is heartfelt and represents a kind of dream-come-true in your life. You fought hard to get here, and you’ll be damned if you’re going to just give up your spot.
Life is full of challenge and, actually, this little squall will serve to make you appreciate what you’ve got all over again. It will renew your appreciation for your position in life.
Work hard to keep what’s yours, prove you are the rightful owner of this hot spot, and show them how it’s done. You’re smarter than the rest.
Transformation in the field of love lies in store for Pisces (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot cards for June: Three of Cups, Queen of Wands, The Star
Meaning: Transformation ahead.
Your love life is due for an injection of passion and excitement – music to your ears no doubt, Pisces. The Three of Cups and The Star are the happy harbingers of this good news, and reveal that your ideal vision of love is set to become a reality in June.
Whether you’re single or attached, expect everything to heat up and go to the next level, in just the way you dream it would.
The higher you aim, the better the outcome here. Take a moment to re-assess what you want and need in a relationship, and set the bar there. Don’t settle, because you deserve a wonderful partner.
The Queen of Wands shows that getting out and about, going to new places, trying new activities, broadening your circle, travelling, and moving out of your comfort zone are all ways to activate this love life kick start.
The more ground you cover, the more opportunity for true love you’ll encounter!
Kerry King, the tarot queen, uses tarot and star sign wisdom to create inspiring forecasts and insights, with over 25 years fortune telling experience, and many happy clients all over the world. You can book a personal, written reading, which comes as a beautifully illustrated brochure, through her website.
It can be yours for £600,000 (Picture: Cheffins/BNPS)
If you want seclusion from your neighbours and the outside world, this historic farmhouse may be for you.
Dating back to the 15th century, it is on sale for £600,000 and comes with its own moat.
Grade II listed Parsonage Farm is an English Heritage scheduled monument. Godfrey and Barbara Kent originally bought the house in 1959 and it has been a part of their family since.
It is also thought to be built on the site of an iron age fort.
The property is ideal for those who love a good fixer-upper, as the house is in need of some renovation and updating. However, once remodelling is complete, it is believed the house could be worth £1.2 million pounds.
Parsonage Farm is situated in the village of Chrishall in Essex and the lucky owner can also enjoy an acre of land.
The property is perfect for those who love a fixer upper (Picture: Cheffins/BNPS)
One of the most exciting and unique features of the property is the moat, which is up to 52ft wide in parts.
A brick bridge is in place so people can cross the moat to the house to the front, while an iron and wooden foot bridge connects to the back.
The moat and island are a scheduled monument, but the house on the island is not.
It has been in the same family for nearly 50 years (Picture: Cheffins/BNPS)
Inside, there is over 4,000 sq ft of accommodation over four floors.
A reception hall, dining room, kitchen, study, sitting room and drawing room make up the ground floor.
On the first floor, there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house also contains a cellar and two loft rooms.
Inside the house is over 4000 sq ft (Picture: Cheffins/BNPS)
Bruce King, director at Cheffins, said of the sale: ‘It’s a beautiful setting. The house is completely surrounded by the moat, you walk over the bridge to get to the house and walk over another to get to the far garden.
‘It’s a beautiful spot with lovely rolling countryside all around you and it’s really well placed for commuters. It’s one of those houses that’s going to attract a lot of attention.
‘There are various reasons it’s going to auction, one being so the buyer can ensure stamp duty relief before the end of June.
‘Once renovated it would be worth double the guide price, probably more.
Bruce continued: ‘It does need significant work done, a huge amount of TLC and there are attic rooms which you could convert.
‘It’s an exciting opportunity for the right buyer – with properties like these you’re never really the owner, just the next custodian in its history.
‘Parsonage Farm has been in the family a long time and needs a new family to take it on, bring it back into the 21st century and enjoy it.
‘It’s a unique opportunity really and we’re expecting a lot of interest.’
Lots of users are praising the new feature (Picture: Getty)
Social media is a blessing and a curse.
As a source of connectivity, it’s brilliant.
But it also fuels comparison culture, which (we all know by now) can be detrimental to body image, mental health and so many other areas.
So the arrival of Facebook and Instagram’s new ‘hidden likes’ feature is music to lots of people’s ears.
Essentially, the new function allows you to hide both the like counts on other people’s posts that appear in your feed and those you post to your own account.
This means, finally, users can take control on social media.
It’s a small but positive step for those who want to still use apps like Instagram and Facebook, but not have them wreck havoc on their mental health.
Natalie, a journalist from London, explains that she’s already using the function and thinks it’s come at a good time for her.
She says: ‘I immediately hid likes as soon as it became an option on Instagram. Post-lockdown, that old anxiety of feeling like everybody is achieving more than me/having more fun than me/has more friends than me, has been slowly creeping back.
‘I have a tricky relationship with Instagram because I am acutely aware that the comparison stuff can make me feel terrible, but I also like the connection element, and I have to use social media for my job.
‘So, for me, removing likes is a better alternative than having to come off it altogether.
‘Without those direct metrics that make my comparison anxiety spiral, I’m finding it a much less stressful space. There is still comparison and curation of course, but at least now I don’t have to literally judge my own value in likes.’
Ethical social media strategist Tara Parashar tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Removing like counts from Instagram will restore lots of control to users
‘Removing like counts from Instagram is a great first step in making the platform less addictive and better for our mental health.’
You can activate in through your Instagram’s settings (Picture: Getty)
But not only is this a win for individuals using it for personal reasons, it’s also a victory for small businesses.
Ann Fiona Martin, a small business PR consultant, says: ‘Giving people the choice to hide social media likes is a really positive step forward. It alleviates the social pressure that the like button imposes, and gives each individual user the chance to customise their social media experience to suit their own needs.
‘The like button can have a huge influence on mental wellbeing, particularly amongst the small business community. I have found that many of my clients feel stressed and anxious about the “like count.”
‘They feel frustrated about the highs and lows of social media use, in particular, how like numbers can dictate how customers see the value and worth of their business.
‘The option to hide the like button will allow people to avoid the common trap of basing their self worth on how many likes they get on the platform.’
Fiona hopes the move will mean users no longer judge small businesses on Instagram by the number of likes – something that was previously a barrier for new companies.
However, strategist Tara Parashar stresses it’s important to still be aware of other issues that still exist within the realms of social media.
She adds: ‘The new function will offer us greater control over our own emotional reactions to content, but it won’t offer any greater control over what we see.
‘Ultimately like counts will still exist and engagement will continue to drive the algorithm.
‘It’s more important for users to vote with their thumbs, and use social media in a mindful way. Follow people from all walks of life, unfollow accounts that make you feel rubbish, don’t support influencers with questionable ethical practices.
‘It may not feel like it but actually, the influencers and brands and even the social media platforms themselves are nothing without the users. We have more power to make social media a better place than you think.’
How to activate the 'hide likes' function on Instagram:
Go to Instagram’s ‘Settings’
Enter the new Posts section
Select ‘Hide Like and View Counts’
It’s worth pointing out that it looks like Instagram is rolling out the new feature slowly, so you may need to wait for it to come up on your phone.
The supernatural series is back with eight new episodes, which pick up after the first part of season five landed back in August.
Lucifer is based on the DC Comics character of the same name and has become a cult hit with fans after launching back in 2016.
It follows Tom Ellis’s titular character, otherwise known as the Devil, as he moves out of Hell and settles in Los Angeles. There, he runs a nightclub and helps out the LAPD solve crimes using his supernatural abilities.
The series so far has also followed the will-they-won’t-they romance between Lucifer and Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German).
The fifth series is available to watch now, but will there be a sixth season? Here’s everything you need to know.
Will there be a Lucifer season 6?
The show has been a hit since arriving in 2016 (Picture: Netflix)
Thankfully, there will indeed be a sixth season of the show.
Season six will be the final outing, and stars of the programme recently said goodbye after wrapping up filming for the last time.
Details of the upcoming episodes are few and far between at the moment, but Lucifer creators Joe Henderson and Ildy Modrovich previously teased the fate of the characters in the season 6 finale and revealed the name of the final episode.
The pair posted a picture on Twitter of them holding a script titled ‘Partners ‘Til The End’.
While we can’t be certain, it’s likely to refer to Lucifer’s relationship with Chloe. Only time will tell how things play out.
A release date for season six has yet to be announced.
Luciferseasons 1-3 is available onAmazonPrime Video, seasons 4 onward is available on Netflix.
AEW star Anthony Ogogo has revealed the inspiration he has taken from Kurt Angle as he prepares for a career-defining flagship match against Cody Rhodes at Double Or Nothing.
The retired boxer – who won bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games in London – struck up a friendship with the legendary athlete after they met at an IMPACT Wrestling show two years later, and he’s been there to offer support.
He exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘Kurt Angle and I are friends. I met him in 2014 after the Olympics. We spoke Olympics, we spoke wrestling. I met him at a show – I’ve been a wrestling fan my entire life, I met him at a show at Wembley Arena.
‘We became friends, he gave me his number and email, we talk all the time. He helped me a lot in my demise from boxing – I was in a really bad way. He’s been through some bad times in his life, and he helped me.
‘He didn’t guide me really, but someone to talk to. Someone to talk to, someone who’s similar to me in terms of mindset and desire.’
Ogogo – who has been open about his struggles when his boxing career ended due to an eye injury – noted that they both suffered ‘great adversity’, with former WWE star Angle winning a gold medal in wrestling at the 1996 games with a broken neck.
Ogogo is already impressing fans (Photo: AEW)
‘To get to an Olympic Games, then win a medal, suffer great adversity and then come back and be successful still – it requires a certain something inside which is hard to explain,’ he added.
‘He’s got it in spades, I’ve got it in spades. So we spoke, and I told him I wanted to become a wrestler. He goes, “Mate, I’m so happy for you!” He’s always been great, he’s always been open to talk to me.’
There’s an added layer of emotion there for Ogogo, who still recalls the first match he ever watched as a kid, which pitted Angle against Taz at the Royal Rumble in 2000.
‘I’ve been in love with this business since that,’ he smiled. ‘He’s a big inspiration to me – not so much in ring, because we’re very different styles, but outside the ring and as a person, he’s someone I look up to.’
However, more than any wrestler or athlete as a whole, the 32-year-old star’s ‘biggest inspiration’ will always be his mum.
‘Single parent, she raised me and my four sisters on her own, worked full time with three jobs. We never went without a meal, we never went to school with dirty clothes,’ he said with obvious pride.
‘I have no idea how she did it. So, that’s the only inspiration I need, really.’
He looked at the way she provided for her family, and it gave him strength to reach the top of his game, and to move onto AEW itself after his boxing career was cut short.
‘That’s as much inspiration as I need in life. If she can do that, then I can go and become world champion in wrestling,’ he said.
‘If she can do that, I can have my boxing dream taken away from me, get back up, and be successful in something else. She is my inspiration – the top time, and the low times.’
Another factor helping Ogogo – who is brimming with confidence before Sunday’s epic show – is his work ethic and almost unmatched drive.
He’s happy to have a strict routine again, having benefited from that in his boxing days, and he’s ready to make the most of his first pay-per-view wrestling match.
‘I know Monday morning I’m in the gym lifting weights, evening I’m in the wrestling school getting better, Tuesday and Wednesday the same, Dynamite on TV. I like a regimented life,’ he explained.
‘As hard as it is and demanding as it is, that’s what I’m all about. I’m good at things because I push myself and I’m very dedicated.’
However, it’s clear Ogogo is just getting started.
‘I’m very proud of myself for being where I’m at, but this is only the beginning,’ he said. ‘Hopefully I’ll be talking to you in five or 10 years time saying, “Wow, what a journey!” And it all started this Sunday.’
*Anthony Ogogo and Cody Rhodes face off at AEW Double Or Nothing on Sunday (May 30). UK fans can tune in via Fite TV.
