Fighting adversaries in the ring regularly as part of his job, Michael “Deimos” Anderson knows the importance of effective breathing. Lately, the pro-wrestler’s awareness of respiration issues has only increased with the Covid-19 pandemic and wildfires in the U.S. West Coast and around the world.
On Oct. 2, Deimos will speak on the subject at a major webathon commemorating Global Airway Health Day. The online event will be webcast on Facebook Live.
“When you face opponents in sports arenas every week, you really appreciate your airway being clear,” says the wrestler who studied Greek and Roman mythologies–his professional name is that of the Greek god of terror.
The Global Airway Health Day was established last year by the nonprofit Foundation for Airway Health to bring attention to health issues of the upper respiratory tract. Happening in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, this year’s edition will also address the coronavirus pandemic.
“Between covid-19 and wildfires running crazy all over the world, it’s more important than ever to be aware of your health and what you’re breathing into your lungs,” states Deimos, 35.
With many years in the ring, this tough guy knows how to measure up wrestling rivals. He learned to overcome huge challenges early in life.
Michael Anderson was born in 1985 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to a struggling single mother of two boys and at a young age discovered his love for wrestling and superhero films. In a household without a father and determined to help his mom, Deimos stepped up to become the man of the house.
He excelled in academics and athletics and was offered a full scholarship to Oxford University in England, and jumped at the chance to study abroad and major in Greek and Roman mythologies that had fascinated him since childhood.
Upon graduating and returning to the U.S., he joined the elite wrestling academy Ground Zero Wrestling based in Richmond, Virginia and soon began making a name for himself in professional wrestling.
As “Deimos” he participated in international shows in Greece, Italy, Spain and Croatia. He says that some of his most memorable experiences took place in Rome and Athens, homes to great gladiators of the past. Later he joined Zero-1 Wrestling in Tokyo in 2012 and lived in Japan for a year.
In his nearly two-decades-long career, Deimos has been featured in World Wrestling Entertainment and Impact Wrestling events around the world and holds multiple championship titles including the 2018-2019 Florida Heavyweight Champion, the 2018-2019 World Tag Team Champion (with Rob Terry) and the 2019 ZMAK World Heavyweight Champion title.
With much success in wrestling under his belt, now Mr. Anderson has his eyes set on Hollywood.
But to get there, the pro-wrestler currently takes the precautions needed to protect his airway and survive a pandemic that has taken about 200,00 lives in the United States and almost 1 million worldwide.
“Doesn’t matter how tough you are, if you’re breathing in sickness or pollutants it will take you down,” says Deimon. “With Covid-19, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself and the ones you love.”