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Former WWE Tough Enough winner is now a teacher after quitting wrestling

Six seasons of WWE Tough Enough aired between 2001 and 2015. In a recent interview, former winner Andy Leavine opened up about his life since leaving the wrestling business.

Leavine won Tough Enough in 2011. WWE icon Stone Cold Steve Austin hosted the reality competition that year. The series also featured Bill DeMott, Booker T, and Trish Stratus as trainers.

During an appearance on Developmentally Speaking, Leavine revealed he joined the army after retiring from wrestling in 2014. He then planned to work as a firefighter before becoming a teacher.

"It's been quiet," Leavine said, discussing life after wrestling. "It's been very quiet. I did the army thing for a while. Had more injuries than I can count, unfortunately. I got out, went back to school, got my degree in education, became a teacher, and the reason kinda why that happened is originally I wanted to be a firefighter but my body, it just can't hold up to that type of career." [23:31 – 23:55]

Leavine's Tough Enough season included former WWE stars Ariane Andrew (fka Cameron) and Ivelisse (fka Sofia Cortez).


How Andy Leavine reacts when students mention Tough Enough

Although students are not old enough to remember Andy Leavine's Tough Enough appearance, many know about his wrestling background.

Leavine jokingly tells children he is not the same person who won the reality show:

"I've been in my current job for like five years, and I think it wasn't until year three or four that another adult found out at our school and then told a student and then everyone found out. Now kids come up to me with videos like, 'Is this you?' 'No.' Like, 'Yes, it is.' 'No, it's not. That person's got long hair and they are way more attractive than me. That is definitely not me. Like, you're getting catfished.'" [26:43 – 27:09]

Leavine only spent a year in WWE's Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) developmental system before leaving the company in 2012.

Do you think WWE should have given Andy Leavine more opportunities? Hit the discuss button and let us know.


Please credit Developmentally Speaking and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.

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