When Love Kills the Dream: How Relationships Derail Young Ambitions

 Every once in a while, you see a quote that hits harder than a steel chair to the back.

Pro wrestler Angel Purehart said it best: “Chase your dreams, not girls.”

Simple. Honest. And absolutely true.

The Harsh Reality Behind the Ropes

Not long ago, I saw a promoter hyping up a new tag team — two brothers coming to their promotion. Naturally, as a promoter myself, I did what I always do: I researched them.

They looked young — maybe still in high school. But what stood out wasn’t their in-ring potential, it was their social media. Every other photo was them hugged up with their girlfriends. Dozens of posts about their relationship with their significant other.

And right then, I knew: wrestling wasn’t their number-one priority. It might not even be number three. Most likely, no matter how talented they may be, they will never advance beyond the occasional indie show.

I'm not saying that relationships are evil — they’re not. But when you’re trying to make it in a business as demanding as professional wrestling, distractions are dream-killers. This business requires total obsession. If your mind’s divided between love, likes, and late-night texts, you’ll never fully commit to the grind.

The Price of Distraction

I’ve watched countless young talents with all the potential in the world fade away because they couldn’t focus. The minute they hit puberty, they started thinking that they have to be in a relationship.  They thought with their hormones instead of with their head and common sense.  Some got caught up in relationships. Others had kids too soon. Some just couldn’t handle the emotional rollercoaster that comes with trying to balance both.

Meanwhile, the ones who stayed laser-focused — the ones who sacrificed parties, popularity, and relationships — are the ones getting booked, getting noticed, and living their dream.

Dreams die quietly. Not because of lack of talent, but because of misplaced priorities.

This isn’t just about wrestling — it’s about life. Musicians, athletes, creators, entrepreneurs — I’ve seen it in every field. A young person finds their passion, starts showing promise… then gets into a relationship that drains their time, energy, and focus. Suddenly the dream takes a back seat, and before long, it’s forgotten altogether.

There’s nothing wrong with love — when it’s the right time. But too many young people mistake attachment for purpose. And purpose should always come first.

So to every young wrestler, artist, or dreamer out there:
Don’t chase girls. Don’t chase boys. Chase your dreams.

Love will find you when the time is right. But opportunity? Opportunity doesn’t wait.

Be obsessed. Be disciplined. Be the one who stayed focused when everyone else got distracted.

Because one day, when you’re standing in the spotlight, hand raised high, you’ll realize —
that quote wasn’t just advice. It was prophecy.