Women’s revolution or no women’s revolution, if you’re a wrestling fan, you probably miss seeing AJ Lee around. The former three-time Divas Champion is currently enjoying life away from the squared circle, and getting ready for the release of her first book in April. For nearly two years now, the most AJ that wrestling fans have gotten have been her appearances on the UFC documentary miniseries about her husband, CM Punk.
AJ’s “crazy chick” persona has been divisive among fans, but she’s never shied away from it, up to and including naming her forthcoming book Crazy Is My Superpower. On Thursday, she shared a lengthy blog post on her personal website, and revealed that when she was young, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She shared words of encouragement and solidarity with anyone going through similar circumstances. True to what we’ve known about her all along, she handled the situation deftly and proudly, without shame or reservation.
An excerpt:
Society told me mental illness was a burden to be carried solemnly and, more important, quietly. In silence, family members tried and failed to tighten their ever-loosening screws. And in silence I stood by as the illness ravenously consumed the person I loved the most. Being quiet got us nowhere. Ignoring the problem only helped to fan its flames. And just when I began to understand what this illness was truly capable of, it came for me.
I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder when I was barely out of my teens. Like our olive skin tone and caterpillar eyebrows, I guess it just runs in the family.
[ … ]
That is the gift being bipolar gave me. It blessed me with a lofty imagination, an iron will, and an unbreakable belief in the impossible. I used my gift to take myself from being homeless to being an athlete and entertainer on international television. I became a woman with a mission.
But what good is a secret weapon if it only serves me? Now it is time to reveal my secret identity. I am Bipolar and I am proud.
And that is why I wanted to write a book. To shine a light on mental illness, to be vulnerable about the days I let it take control and paid dearly for it, and to tell anyone fighting a similar battle: You are not alone. You are not broken.
The entire post is worth reading, so head over to her website and check it out. We’re extremely glad that AJ is still around to inspire fans and fellow humans even after moving on from her wrestling career. She says she wants to be a resource for others who are fighting battles against mental illness, and I truly hope she is able to get scores of others to be unafraid about who they are.
Way to go, AJ. We’ll be reading your book for sure and waiting for whatever’s next in your life.
