Austin opens up about the colorful personalities he has encountered in independent wrestling, along with a less glamorous side of the business: tribalism. He discusses the tension that can develop between promotions, the pressure of navigating different groups, and why he believes collaboration can ultimately make wrestling better.

The conversation then moves beyond the wrestling ring and into Austin’s expanding broadcasting career. He shares his experience contributing Pittsburgh Steelers reports for radio, reflects on interviewing established Pittsburgh sports broadcasters, and talks about his long-term goal of traveling and working in broadcasting on a larger stage.

Jim and Austin also explore changes in sports culture, including NIL, fantasy sports, sports gambling, and the increasingly common sight of fans watching their phones instead of the event happening directly in front of them.

That observation leads directly back to mindfulness. Austin describes himself as someone who wants to live in the moment, and when Jim asks what advice he would give someone pursuing a dream, Austin’s answer is simple: put yourself out there.

Growth rarely happens by waiting for the perfect opportunity or remaining completely comfortable. Austin reflects on going from a shy student to working across sports, wrestling, radio, television, and journalism by accepting opportunities that pushed him beyond what felt familiar.

It’s a conversation about ambition without losing awareness of where you are right now—and having the courage to enter uncomfortable spaces in order to discover what you can become.

Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player.

Support Fishing Without Bait and receive ad-free episodes on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait

Pick up “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Austin grew up in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, attending a small high school where opportunities could be limited. Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived during his high school years. Remote learning, isolation, uncertainty, fear for his frontline-worker parents, and spending most of his time at home left Austin feeling increasingly complacent and unsure about what came next.

A seemingly ordinary moment with his father changed his perspective.

While watching ESPN together, Austin's father told him he could imagine his son working in television. Austin didn't immediately believe him. At the time, he considered himself shy and struggled to imagine speaking comfortably into a microphone, much less appearing on camera.

But Austin tried.

He started looking for opportunities wherever he could find them. His first announcing experience came introducing his high school's marching band during football halftime. That small opportunity connected him with his first mentor in broadcasting and eventually led to announcing more school sports.

Austin also began creating his own practice. He muted television broadcasts and attempted play-by-play himself. He practiced wrestling commentary. He cut mock promos. He recorded his voice and listened back, even when hearing himself made him cringe.

That discomfort became part of the education.

Jim and Austin discuss the importance of repetition, getting outside the comfort zone, learning through failure, and being willing to ask, “How can I improve this?”

Austin also reflects on the people who helped him move forward, including his family and Pittsburgh broadcasting mentor Alby Oxenreiter. A relationship that began with Austin listening closely to an experienced broadcaster eventually developed into a moment where Austin was asked to take the lead himself.

Underlying the entire conversation is something central to Fishing Without Bait: we don't have to wait until we feel completely ready before taking action.

Sometimes the first step is simply trying.

Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player and follow the conversation as Austin Cairns continues sharing how he got here from there.

Support the podcast and receive ad-free episodes on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait

Continue your own mindfulness practice with “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Read more about “Mecha Depression Fest” here: https://magicalgirlcafe.blog/2017/11/21/mecha-depression-fest-2k17-an-overview/

You can find more of Sheena Carroll's work online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/akamissmacross/). Read her blog at magicalgirlcafe.blog and check out Girls Write Pittsburgh at www.girlswritepittsburgh.com ! 

Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Music, TuneIn or look for it on your favorite Podcatcher!  Also, check us out streaming on The River's Edge online radio!

Intro music: “Life” by Tobu.