SOBERMANIA! –
April 5, 2024 – Former WWE superstar Natalie Eva Marie dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, but poor decisions led her down a dark path of addiction and alcohol abuse. “I feel like I was just born straight out of the womb an alcoholic and an addict, like, full-on,” the former professional wrestler said. Marie played soccer growing up in California, and she explained that in her senior year she had received scholarships from some small schools but ultimately decided to “hang up my cleats” after being injured.
She briefly picked up the sport again before stepping away. Eventually, she transferred to California State University, Fullerton, where she decided to try out as a walk-on. Marie made the team, but because of her NCAA eligibility, she missed her opportunity.
“It was a tough time in my life because sports was everything.”
