Funny Peculiar Podcast

Author: Jeff Downs

This is a podcast with a difference where all the guests are from the world of alternative performance; burlesque dancers, illusionists, fetish acts, drag queens, character acts, circus clowns, sword swallowers & special FX make up artists. I'm your host Jeff Downs, character comic and budding drag artist and want you to join me on a journey through the world of the 'funny peculiar!'.
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Language: en

Genres: Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts

Contact email: Get it

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Episode 52: Big Sam - The Beast of Bodmin / Professional UK Wrestler
Episode 52
Friday, 8 May, 2026

Thanks to Big Sam for coming on the show - my first wrestler and what a treat. A brilliant episode. Here is more info on Sam with links below: Growing up in Cornwall, he developed a love for wrestling at the age of seven. Wrestling became an escape from a difficult home life, which included caring responsibilities after his father left when he was seven years old. During school, he experienced severe bullying, including having his nose broken by older students while in primary school. After becoming homeschooled, he grew increasingly reclusive. At 16, a family friend introduced him to weightlifting at the gym, helping him build both confidence and physical strength. By 19, he was trying out for American football, but at 23 he suffered a major injury, completely tearing three ligaments. The recovery process required two surgeries and lasted two years and two months. Following his recovery, he decided to pursue wrestling as a "now or never" opportunity. He travelled an hour and a half to attend his first training session, ultimately spending five hours training on that very first day and immediately falling in love with the sport. Thanks to his size and presence, he had his first wrestling match just three months into training. However, after only two matches, he was forced to step away from wrestling for five years. During that time, he met Jason King at one of the wrestling shows he had appeared on, and later met him again outside a WWE event in Plymouth. It was there that Jason King recognised both his size and his potential as a major attraction in wrestling. On May 3rd, 2023, he stepped into Reach Wrestling to begin training once again. Since returning to active competition around two years ago, he has competed in 105 matches, including international appearances in France. During that time, he has held two tag team championships for different companies and is currently the CPW Cornish Heavyweight Champion. If you would like to see Big Sam or more wrestlers please visit: Reach Wrestling Socials Instagram and Tiktok are both: @thebeast.big.sam