AEW’s Marina Shafir Credits Cannabis for Balance in Family and Wrestling Career

Marina Shafir, a standout wrestler in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and former mixed martial artist, has opened up about the pivotal role cannabis plays in her life, both personally and professionally. Known for her fierce persona in the ring, Shafir revealed that her true grounding force comes from her family and her relationship with cannabis, which she credits for helping her navigate the challenges of her career and personal loss. "There’s so much going on outside of my bubble that I can’t control. Dealing with injuries. It’s a lot. So I take it one week at a time," Shafir told High Times

Shafir’s journey into combat sports began at just six years old, inspired by her father, professional power lifter Veniamin Shafir. While her peers pursued more traditional childhood activities, Shafir was already mastering judo techniques that would lay the foundation for her future in MMA and wrestling. Despite her success in the ring, Shafir emphasized that nothing brings her more joy than her family, especially her son and her husband, AEW wrestler Chris Lindsey (Roderick Strong). "He’s such an amazing partner. I love that I can speak my love language with my husband while training together. That’s a different level of trust," she said

Balancing a demanding wrestling career with family life is no easy feat, but Shafir and her husband make deliberate efforts to prioritize time with their son, attending soccer practices and visiting farmers markets. Shafir’s passion for her job remains strong, describing her work in AEW as a unique blend of martial arts and theatrical storytelling. "I love a good flex. I’m not talking about a physical flex, but like an energy flex. That’s why I love my job so much," she explained. For Shafir, her wrestling character is an extension of herself, shaped by years of discipline and resilience

Cannabis entered Shafir’s life in earnest after a period of personal upheaval, including the loss of her father and a move to California to train with Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey. She recounted her early misadventures with edibles, saying, "It was actually hilarious because as soon as we got to LA, she gave me this chocolate bar. I didn’t know how much to take, and I ended up eating the whole thing. It was 100 milligrams. I was supposed to start training the next day. I was out for three days." Over time, cannabis became a tool for healing and sobriety, helping her to quit drinking and cope with grief. "Weed helped make that possible," Shafir noted, crediting the plant for aiding her mental recovery and emotional well-being

Shafir’s openness about cannabis challenges lingering stigmas in professional sports, where athletes often face scrutiny for their personal choices. She described cannabis as a natural part of her daily routine, one that supports her physically and emotionally through the rigors of competition and life on the road. "It actually helped me grieve a bit, too, after my dad died A lot of that happened while I was high, and I’m so glad that it did," she reflected. Her story stands as a testament to the evolving conversation around cannabis and athletic performance

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, Shafir’s candidness about cannabis use signals a broader shift in how athletes manage wellness and recovery. As more sports figures speak out about their experiences, the industry may see increasing acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate tool for mental health and physical resilience. Shafir’s journey highlights the intersection of family, career, and self-care—an example worth watching as cannabis policy and athlete advocacy continue to evolve globally