“The Long Road” Episode 37 with Ryan Fraust

Success isn’t always measured by championships. Sometimes it’s measured by the decision to keep showing up. In this episode of Smoke & Meteoras, we sit down with Ryan Fraust for an honest conversation about perseverance, passion, and what it really means to commit yourself to a dream with no guarantees. Ryan opens up about his journey through the New England independent wrestling scene, the sacrifices that happen long before fans ever see the finished product, and the mindset it takes to keep moving forward when success doesn’t happen overnight. We discuss the lessons he’s learned throughout his career, the moments that made him question everything, and how his definition of success has changed over the years. This episode isn’t about one match or one milestone—it’s about the countless unseen moments that shape both the wrestler and the person behind the character. And because this is Smoke & Meteoras, we couldn’t end the conversation without completely throwing Ryan into chaos. From accepting millions of dollars from a mysterious penguin to convincing aliens that professional wrestling can save humanity, Ryan takes on some of our most ridiculous questions yet—and the answers are just as entertaining as you’d hope. This isn’t a story about instant success. It’s about resilience. It’s about believing in yourself when the finish line keeps moving. It’s about taking the long road.