WWE Superstar

WWE’s Superstar DANA BROOKE Keeps Hope Alive After Death

BY WENDY PHAN

In July 2013, when Ashley Mae Sebera signed on with the WWE and then adopted the stage name Dana Brooke, she was living her dreams. The former gymnast would go on to appear in her first televised match almost two years later in April 2015, again gaining more traction into the calling she thought would define her life.

Not until her boyfriend, International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) professional bodybuilder Dallas McCarver, died unexpectedly on August 22, 2017 did she consider any other path. His untimely death served as her inspiration for wanting to uplift and encourage others.

McCarver was 26 years old when he was found dead in his apartment after allegedly choking on his food. Hours before his death, Brooke posted a Man Candy Monday photo of the two on Instagram, saying, “Still got some time left to post #mcm — someone who day in and day out is helping and giving so much to so many people! [Dallas] is one of the most genuine people I have ever met.”

The 31-year old WWE superstar created a non-profit organization called the Dallas McCarver Foundation in honor of her late boyfriend. Shortly after McCarver’s death, Brooke created a GoFundMe campaign that asked for donations to be made to unprivileged children in McCarver’s honor.

On the page Brooke stated, “We are coming together to provide food, clothing, toiletries, books, and school supplies to those children who otherwise would go without. There are families struggling simply to make ends meet all over this country, and it’s our goal in Dallas’ honor to make sure that those children and families receive the support they desperately need!”

The foundation, which helps to raise money for underprivileged children, was inspired by McCarver’s struggles during his life. He, like Brooke, had a fiery passion for giving back to children that had tough backgrounds similar to his. “Kids are the future of the generations to come and we wanted to give out, give back and do things together," she said.

Until she was 18 years old, Brooke was a gymnast who participated in the Junior Olympics. Her career as a gymnast came to an end when she suffered an injury that required her to undergo reconstructive ankle surgery. She then went on to study fashion merchandising and design at Kent State University before getting back into professional sports, training for body building and fitness competitions. By 2012, she earned her pro card with the IFBB.

Brooke did not overcome her tragedy in gymnastics and push forward to become a WWE personality alone, though. She said McCarver kept her motivated, pointing out that he was the type of man who always trained with a goal in mind. “Dallas always had mentioned to me, actually, ‘I’m your number one fan. I’m always going to support you. I love what you do. Go out there,’” she said.

Even in death, Brooke said that McCarver continues to motivate and inspire her to keep going. “He would tell everyone the same — just keep swimming, keep moving through life and he will be your angel above. He had a way with making people laugh,” she shared.

“Dallas was an exceptional body builder, but I didn’t see him for that. I saw him for him and his heart.”

With a focus on giving back through the Dallas McCarver Foundation, she has partnered with organizations like the Children’s Hospital and The United Nations Children’s Fund to campaign for anti-bullying and provide humanitarian aid to children around the world. She is even working with St. Jude’s Hospital for Children alongside McCarver’s mother, Penny, with whom she is still very close. “With his passing, I just want to keep his legacy strong,” Brooke said.

Knowing what it is like to experience such tragedies and being able to overcome the trauma associated with them, Brooke passionately works to help others realize that they can do the same. "So I think that's the most beneficial part is being able to try and help people that are going through a similar circumstance," she said.

Her message to people is for them to find their passion. She explained that once people have done this, everything will fall into place. "Once I'm in the gym and I'm training. I feel great,” she said. “I feel refreshed. I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulder--and any stress that I have. I'm going to the gym. I lift [and] I train. I leave it all in the gym, I come out of the gym feeling, you know, like a new woman."

Dana stretches along the water. Though a large part of her world came crashing down when her boyfriend passed, the wrestling sensation is now happier than ever. Brooke explained that while it was hard to lose someone she loved, 2020 marked the start of a new decade and the beginning of a new journey for herself. During the 2019 draft, she was moved from Monday Night Raw to Friday Night SmackDown, which she explained was just the breath of fresh air that she needed to re-boost her career. This change will allow her to do what she loves and show progression every time she steps into the ring.

Brooke wants people to do what they love and remember that tomorrow is never promised. Sometimes people are comfortable with where they are in life and that’s okay. However, she said, “There is nothing better than the sweet taste of success and the feeling of knowing that you’re going after what you want in life.”

Even in the face of tragedy, Brooke believes there are always still reasons to keep on living. The happiness that she has found within herself is inspiring to anyone who has suffered a personal loss. “I’m huge on women empowerment so being able to have that platform that WWE allows you to have to step out there and being able to spread a positive message,” Brooke said, “It’s not just wrestling but it’s also being able to spread a positive influential message.”