Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Chris Whaley
Hi Dr. Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Central Florida. I was the sickly kid, constantly in and out of the hospital. Mostly with pneumonia. I had polio and viral encephalitis in the fourth grade. I was in the hospital for three months.
While in the hospital it is easy to get your days and nights mixed up. Late at night when I couldn’t sleep, I watched professional wrestling. I got hooked very early.
My doctor was finally able to find out why I was continually getting sick. I was allergic to over 200 things. I took allergy shots until I was a junior in college. My body began to change. My doctor also encouraged me to go to the gym. I took to the gym quickly.
I got married my senior year in college. After graduating from college, we moved back to Central Florida. My wife was teaching at her alma mater, and I was working and waiting to be called to a church as a youth pastor.
I was working out like crazy and in the best shape of my life. One day while looking at the Tampa Tribune, I saw an ad that said, “Wanted: Professional Wrestlers.” I jumped up out of my seat and took the ad over to my wife who was grading papers. I showed her the ad. She rolled her eyes and went back to grading papers. I packed a bag and drove over to Tampa. I walked into the gym and saw a wrestler I watched as a child. It was The Great Malenko. I trained for six months and had my first match. I was hooked the moment I walked into the gym.
I wrestled for ten years (1978-88). I wrestled four world champions.
My last three years in wrestling was while I was working on my master’s degree in Ft. Worth, Tx.
After I graduated, I went to my first church as pastor. I found some people who were being mistreated and bullied. I began to handle some people more as a professional wrestler than as a pastor.
I wrote a book about it, The Masked Saint. The book was made into an award-winning movie (Best Picture, International Christian Film Festival, 2015).
I wrote two more books.
I have been a pastor for forty years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Wrestling was great, but I certainly had my difficulties. I crushed my ankle; five knee operations; broken pelvis; broke all my ribs; both collar bones; operations on both shoulders; over 100 concussions.
I dealt with many difficulties while I was dealing with difficult people. I was the Equalizer before Denzel and Queen Latifa.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a former professional wrestler who is now a pastor. I pastored three churches. I was an associate pastor at First Baptist Orlando for ten years. I am now on staff at The Church @ 434.
I love people and love serving people.
I am also an author. I have written three books: The Masked Saint, Harold’s Heavenly Christmas, and Mr. President?
I am most proud to be the father of two wonderful daughters. They are both married now with their own families.
I have been married almost 59 years.
What sets me apart from most people is that I do not give up.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people would never suspect that I deal with depression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themaskedsaint.com
- Instagram: @therealmaskedsaint
- Facebook: Chris Whaley
- Twitter: @CwhaleyChris
