Talking Parenthood with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon

What happens when a wrestling fan meets Triple H and Stephanie McMahon from the WWE? They talk parenting of course.

For those of my readers that don’t know, Triple H is one of the biggest stars to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. With his intimidating and fierce character and win at all cost mentality, he rose to the top of the wrestling food chain and held the championship title 13 times. Along with performing on WWE telecasts, he is the COO of the WWE. Stephanie McMahon is the EVP of the WWE and in charge of creative development. She also happens to be the daughter of Vince McMahon, the owner of the WWE. Stephanie and Triple H are married to one another and have 3 daughters.

I had the pleasure of meeting Triple H and Stephanie at an event for Milk Mustache in NYC. After watching Milk Mustache’s new ad campaign, I got to step into the ring with them. The on air persona of these two is quite intense. On TV, they are ruthless, mean, and difficult to work with; you don’t want to be on their bad side. In real life, they are ruthless, mean, and difficult to work with. I’m kidding. I have no idea how they are in real life. I met them for a few minutes, so how am I supposed to know what they’re really like? I don’t believe everything I read on the internet, and neither should you… Except on this site. You should always believe what you read on this one.

The first thing I thought as I shook their hands was, “Triple H’s neck is huge!” And I couldn’t help but be put at ease by Stephanie’s calm and humble demeanor. After mentioning briefly my displeasure in the beat down they gave Daniel Bryan (my kids’ favorite wrestler) the previous weekend, I jumped into our parenting discussion.

Since the event was about promoting health eating habits, I asked the two about the Helmsley-McMahon family’s eating habits. My family travels a lot and we have a difficult time eating healthy when on the road, but Triple H reminded me that you can find milk in every hotel and you can get plenty of your protein by drinking it. He also suggested staying away from fatty foods, eating a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables, and not taking the easy way out by eating a breakfast burrito type of food.

After talking about healthy eating on the road, I turned the question to their breakfast table at home. I looked at Triple H and asked what he serves his daughters when time is short in the morning, and he motioned for Stephanie to answer and she jumped right in. I expected to hear that they had a nanny or maid that set out their food for them each and every morning and I was waiting for it. Then Stephanie smiled like she completely understands what it is like to have to get kids up and off to school. Of course since it was a milk event, she brought up the importance of drinking milk with breakfast, but also planning ahead and eating fruit and healthy cereals.

We discussed some other things, such as WWE programming being rated PG now and they even asked me questions about my kids, but being limited on my time with them, I wanted to hear about wrestling fans interacting with their family. I always feel bad for celebrities that are approached by fans while they are with their families. And wrestling fans are the most passionate fans in the world. I asked Triple H and Stephanie how they protect their daughters when encountering passionate fans. They explained that they don’t let their kids be photographed and are selective in their public outings with them. I have a feeling that when someone as intimidating as these two tell you to keep your distance, you do.

I didn’t have meeting them on my bucket list, but it was a thrill to talk them. They were both polite and easy to talk to. Now, if only they would leave Daniel Bryan alone.

*I would’ have loved to include direct quotes from my conversation with Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon, but my 19 month old deleted my entire conversation with them.

More wrestling related stories:
The Iron Claw and Generational Toxic Masculinity: Watching the movie and remembering my childhood heroes 
Talking parenting with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
WWE, Hulk Hogan, and Reliving Old Memories by Making New Ones  
Waiting in the rain to get Mick Foley’s autograph with my kids
Wrestling with Fatherood
Interview with the WWE’s Titus O’Neil on fatherhood
WWE is focusing on younger fans again

WWE Toy Reviews:
Rumble Fists and John Cena Punching Bag
John Cena 31 Inch Collectible Figure
WWE Brawlin’ Buddies
WWE Stackdown: Undertaker’s Entrance